Rapid Creek

Rapid Creek is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Rapid Creek's population, as of November 2025, is estimated at approximately 3,410 people. This figure represents a growth of 149 individuals since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 3,261 in the Rapid Creek statistical area (Lv2). AreaSearch's analysis, based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and validated new addresses, suggests an estimated resident population of 3,408. This results in a population density ratio of 1,776 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The Rapid Creek's growth rate of 4.6% since the census is within 2.8 percentage points of the SA3 area (7.4%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 68.0% to the overall population gains in recent periods, driving primary growth for the area.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and post-2032 estimates, AreaSearch applies growth rates by age cohort to each area, as provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population trends project an above median growth for statistical areas across the nation. The Rapid Creek (SA2) is expected to expand by 486 persons to reach a total of approximately 5,197 individuals by 2041, reflecting a 14.2% increase over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Rapid Creek is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Rapid Creek has recorded approximately two residential properties granted approval annually. Between financial years 2021 and 2025, around eleven homes were approved, with one more in the current financial year 2026. This limited new supply may indicate that demand is being met, offering good choice to buyers.

The average expected construction cost value of new homes is $500,000, suggesting a focus on premium properties. In the current financial year, $49,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Darwin, Rapid Creek has 66.0% lower building activity per person. This limited supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established homes, which is also below average nationally, possibly due to planning constraints. Recent development has consisted entirely of detached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional suburban character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space.

Notably, developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (41.0% at Census), reflecting persistent strong demand for family homes despite densification trends. Rapid Creek has approximately 1353 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the location is expected to grow by 484 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Rapid Creek has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 24thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified four projects likely affecting the region: Social Housing Accelerator Payment (SHAP) for Greater Darwin/Nightcliff, CDU's Centre for Better Health Futures, John Stokes Square Redevelopment, and Royal Darwin Hospital's Mental Health Inpatient Unit and CSSD upgrade. The following list details those most relevant.

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The exceptional employment performance in Rapid Creek places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Rapid Creek has a highly educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 1.8% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.9%.

As of September 2025, 2,191 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 1.4% lower than Greater Darwin's rate of 3.1%. Workforce participation was higher at 75.7% compared to Greater Darwin's 69.7%. The dominant employment sectors among residents included health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training. Health care & social assistance had a particularly strong representation with an employment share of 1.5 times the regional level.

Conversely, public administration & safety showed lower representation at 15.0% versus the regional average of 19.5%. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. In the 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 1.9%, and labour force increased by 1.7%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.1 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Darwin recorded employment growth of 1.9% with a marginal increase in unemployment. State-level data as of 25-Nov-25 showed NT employment contracted by 1.13% (losing 4,100 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.4%, broadly in line with the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 projected a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Rapid Creek's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.6% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

Rapid Creek suburb has a median taxpayer income of $73,694 and an average income of $85,824 based on latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Nationally, these figures are extremely high compared to Greater Darwin's median income of $66,956 and average income of $77,199. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $79,914 (median) and $93,068 (average), considering Wage Price Index growth of 8.44% since financial year 2023. According to Census 2021 income data, Rapid Creek ranks highly nationally for household, family, and personal incomes, between the 78th and 92nd percentiles. In Rapid Creek, 35.8% of individuals (1,220 people) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, aligning with regional levels where this cohort represents 36.7%. Higher earners are prevalent, with 32.6% exceeding $3,000 weekly, indicating strong purchasing power in the community. Housing accounts for 14.0% of income, and residents rank within the 80th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Rapid Creek features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Rapid Creek's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 41.4% houses and 58.7% other types (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Darwin metro's 68.4% houses and 31.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Rapid Creek stood at 19.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 24.6% and rented ones at 56.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,956, below Darwin metro's average of $2,028. Median weekly rent in Rapid Creek was $350, matching Darwin metro's figure but lower than the national average of $375. Nationally, Rapid Creek's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863.

Rapid Creek features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 61.3% of all households, including 26.7% couples with children, 24.5% couples without children, and 8.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 38.7%, with lone person households at 30.0% and group households comprising 8.4%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Darwin average of 2.7.

The educational profile of Rapid Creek exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Rapid Creek's educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 54.2% hold university qualifications, surpassing the Northern Territory's (NT) rate of 27.3% and Australia's rate of 30.4%. This high level of educational attainment positions Rapid Creek favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 28.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 19.7% and graduate diplomas at 5.8%.

Vocational pathways account for 23.5% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 8.6% and certificates at 14.9%. Educational participation is notably high, with 30.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.4% in tertiary education, 9.0% in primary education, and 6.5% pursuing secondary education.

Transport servicing is good compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Rapid Creek has 15 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by a total of 28 different routes that together facilitate 1,935 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is considered good, with residents on average located just 235 meters from the nearest stop.

Across all routes, buses run an average of 276 trips per day, which translates to about 129 weekly trips per individual stop.

Rapid Creek's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Rapid Creek shows excellent health outcomes across all age groups, with very low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is high at approximately 61% (2,067 people), compared to 57.4% in Greater Darwin.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 6.7% and 5.4% respectively. A total of 78.4% report no medical ailments, compared to 77.0% in Greater Darwin. The area has 10.6% (361 people) aged 65 and over, lower than the 12.3% in Greater Darwin. Seniors' health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

Rapid Creek was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Rapid Creek has a high level of cultural diversity, with 34.4% of its population born overseas and 29.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Rapid Creek, accounting for 29.3% of people. Hinduism is notably overrepresented in Rapid Creek compared to Greater Darwin, comprising 9.1% versus 5.1%.

The top three ancestral groups are English (21.4%), Australian (19.9%), and Other (15.9%). There are also notable differences in the representation of French (1.0% vs regional 0.5%), Indian (4.5% vs 3.2%), and Australian Aboriginal (4.6% vs 7.4%) ethnic groups.

Rapid Creek's population is younger than the national pattern

Rapid Creek's median age is 35, comparable to Greater Darwin's average of 34 and marginally lower than the national average of 38. Relative to Greater Darwin, Rapid Creek has a higher concentration of 25-34 year-olds at 24.0%, but fewer 5-14 year-olds at 9.8%. This 25-34 concentration is well above the national average of 14.5%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 25-34 age group has grown from 23.1% to 24.0%, while the 5-14 cohort has declined from 11.6% to 9.8%. Demographic modeling suggests Rapid Creek's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the 45-54 cohort projected to grow by 26%, adding 107 residents to reach 527. The 0-4 group is projected to grow by 5%, adding only 11 residents.