Tennant Creek

An assessment of population growth drivers in Tennant Creek reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of Nov 2025, Tennant Creek's population is estimated at around 3,525. This reflects an increase of 445 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,080. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population at 3,520 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional two validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 83 persons per square kilometer. Tennant Creek's growth rate of 14.4% since the 2021 census exceeded both the national average (8.9%) and the state average, making it a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 56.99999999999999% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and applying growth rates by age cohort to areas not covered by this data based on the ABS's Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 using 2022 data. Looking ahead, population projections indicate an increase just below the median of national regional areas, with Tennant Creek expected to increase by 392 persons to 2041 reflecting a total increase of 11.0% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Tennant Creek when compared nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, Tennant Creek has received around 15 dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, approximately 75 homes were approved, with an additional three approved in FY26 so far. On average, each new dwelling constructed over these five years accommodated about two new residents. However, this figure has decreased to 0.4 people per dwelling over the past two financial years.

The average construction cost of new properties is $552,000. This year, there have been $57,000 in commercial approvals, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the rest of the Northern Territory, Tennant Creek has seen slightly more development, with 15.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. This balance preserves reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand.

The new developments consist of 57.0% detached houses and 43.0% attached dwellings, marking a shift from the current housing pattern of 81.0% houses. This change suggests diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. Tennant Creek has approximately 164 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Future projections estimate that Tennant Creek will add 387 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Tennant Creek has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 12thth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified four projects that could significantly impact the local area's performance. These include Venture Housing's Social and Affordable Homes project, Tennant Creek Aviation and Accommodation Hub, Territory Energy Link, and Urban Public Housing at Peko Road. The following details those likely to have the most relevance:.

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Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

AreaSearch assessment indicates Tennant Creek faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Tennant Creek has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate of 5.3% is based on AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data as of June 2025.

In this period, 1842 residents were employed, which is 0.5% below the Rest of NT's rate of 5.9%. Workforce participation was similar to the Rest of NT's 50.7%. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training. Health care & social assistance had particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing showed lower representation at 0.8% compared to the regional average of 5%. Local employment opportunities exist, but many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census working population counts. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.8%, while employment declined by 1.1%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.7 percentage points in Tennant Creek. By comparison, Rest of NT recorded an employment decline of 1.7% with a marginal decrease in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 offer further insight into potential future demand within Tennant Creek. These projections suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Tennant Creek's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.9% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Tennant Creek's median income among taxpayers was $62,548 in the financial year ending June 30, 2022. The average income stood at $66,374 during this period. This compares to figures for the Rest of NT's of $51,655 and $61,577 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.01% since June 30, 2022, current estimates would be approximately $70,060 (median) and $74,346 (average) as of September 2025. According to the Census conducted in August 2021, household income ranked at the 46th percentile ($1,677 weekly), while personal income sat at the 23rd percentile. The largest segment comprised 36.6% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (1,290 residents). After housing costs, residents retained 90.1% of their income.

Tennant Creek is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Tennant Creek, as per the latest Census evaluation, 80.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 19.3% being semi-detached, apartments, or 'other' dwellings. This compares to Non-Metro NT's 85.0% houses and 15.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Tennant Creek was 13.6%, similar to Non-Metro NT, with dwellings either mortgaged (14.3%) or rented (72.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,114, higher than the Non-Metro NT average of $1,087. The median weekly rent in Tennant Creek was $180, compared to Non-Metro NT's $135. Nationally, Tennant Creek's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,114 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $180 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 60.6% of all households, consisting of 23.8% couples with children, 19.6% couples without children, and 14.2% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 39.4%, with lone person households at 35.1% and group households comprising 4.7%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NT average of 3.0.

Tennant Creek faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

Tennant Creek's educational qualifications trail regional benchmarks. 20.7% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common (12.7%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 29.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (20.4%).

Educational participation is high, at 32.0%, comprising primary education (14.5%), secondary education (7.6%), and tertiary education (3.7%). Tennant Creek Primary School and Tennant Creek High School serve a total of 488 students. The area's educational conditions are varied, with an ICSEA value of 738. Educational provision follows conventional lines, consisting of one primary and one secondary institution.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

The level of general health in Tennant Creek is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Tennant Creek shows higher-than-average health outcomes, with low prevalence rates for common conditions across both younger and older age groups. It has a private health cover rate of approximately 53%, slightly higher than the SA2 average (50.1%) but lower than Rest of NT (50.1%).

The most prevalent medical conditions are diabetes (8.0%) and asthma (5.1%), with 74.4% of residents reporting no medical ailments, compared to 77.5% in Rest of NT. Tennant Creek has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (10.2%, or 359 people), compared to Rest of NT's 8.3%. Senior health outcomes are above average, aligning with the general population's health profile.

Tennant 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

Tennant Creek's population shows more cultural diversity than most local areas, with 16.5% born overseas and 39.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Tennant Creek, practiced by 49.9% of its residents. The category 'Other' comprises 1.9% of Tennant Creek's population compared to 1.4% across the rest of Northern Territory.

In terms of ancestry, Australian Aboriginal is the largest group at 45.9%, lower than the regional average of 54.3%. Australian and English groups follow with 13.4% and 13.0% respectively. Notably, Filipino (2.5%) and Maori (0.6%) groups are overrepresented in Tennant Creek compared to regional averages of 1.6% and 0.4% respectively. Macedonian representation is similar at both local and regional levels with 0.1%.

Tennant Creek's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

Tennant Creek's median age in 2021 was 33 years, slightly higher than the Rest of Northern Territory's average of 31 but lower than Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of NT, Tennant Creek had a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (12.5%) but fewer residents aged 15-24 (11.2%). Post-census data from 2021 showed an increase in the 65-74 age group from 6.6% to 7.4%. Conversely, the 45-54 age cohort decreased from 13.5% to 12.2%, and the 25-34 age group dropped from 18.5% to 17.3%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic shifts in Tennant Creek. Notably, the 45-54 age group is expected to grow by 27%, increasing from 430 to 545 people. However, the 35-44 age cohort is projected to decline by 14 people.