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 May 2026, the estimated population of Tennant Creek is around 3,587. This represents a growth of 507 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,080. The increase was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation using latest ERP data release by ABS (June 2025) and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 85 persons per square kilometer. Tennant Creek's growth rate of 16.5% since the 2021 Census exceeded both national average (9.3%) and state average, indicating significant growth compared to other areas. Natural growth contributed approximately 57% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses 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 estimations, AreaSearch applies growth rates by age cohort provided by ABS in its Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). By 2041, the suburb is projected to increase by 395 persons, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 11% over the 16-year period.

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

Tennant Creek has seen approximately 15 dwellings receiving development approval annually, with around 75 homes approved between FY-21 and FY-25, and 3 so far in FY-26. This results in an estimated average of 2 new residents per year per dwelling constructed over the past five financial years. However, this rate has decreased to 0.4 people per dwelling over the past two financial years. The average construction value of new properties is $552,000, indicating a focus on premium segments.

Commercial approvals in FY-26 totalled $57,000, suggesting minimal commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of NT, Tennant Creek has moderately higher development activity, being 15.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. 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. The location has approximately 163 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market.

Population forecasts suggest Tennant Creek will gain 395 residents by 2041, with current development patterns expected to meet demand and potentially facilitate further population growth.

Tennant Creek has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 16thth percentile nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence regional performance. AreaSearch identified four major projects potentially impacting the area: Venture Housing's Social and Affordable Homes project, Tennant Creek Aviation and Accommodation Hub initiative, Territory Energy Link development, and Urban Public Housing - Peko Road scheme. Key details of these projects are listed below.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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 analysis reveals Tennant Creek recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Tennant Creek has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 5.6% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 0.9%. As of December 2025, 1,849 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 0.5% lower than Regional NT's rate of 6.1%.

Workforce participation was similar to Regional NT's 69.3%. Only 3.0% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Leading employment industries were 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% versus the regional average of 5.0%. Many residents commuted elsewhere for work based on Census data comparison between working population and local population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 0.9%, and labour force increased by 1.0%, keeping the unemployment rate stable. Regional NT recorded employment growth of 0.7% during this period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Tennant Creek's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.9% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

The suburb of Tennant Creek's income level is below the national average according to AreaSearch aggregated ATO data for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Tennant Creek is $62,548 and the average income stands at $66,374. In comparison, Regional NT's median and average incomes are $53,572 and $63,776 respectively. Based on a 9.41% increase as per the Wage Price Index from financial year 2023 to March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $68,434 (median) and $72,620 (average). According to the 2021 Census, Tennant Creek's household income ranks at the 46th percentile ($1,677 weekly), with personal income at the 23rd percentile. The largest income segment comprises 36.6% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (1,312 residents), similar to the metropolitan region's 33.6%. After housing costs, residents retain 90.1% of their income, indicating strong purchasing power.

Tennant Creek is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in Tennant Creek, as per the latest Census, consisted of 80.6% houses and 19.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional NT's 75.6% houses and 24.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Tennant Creek was at 13.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 14.3% and rented ones at 72.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,114, below Regional NT's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent was $180, compared to Regional NT's $150. Nationally, Tennant Creek's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below 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, including 23.8% couples with children, 19.6% couples without children, and 14.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute 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, smaller than the Regional NT average of 3.1.

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

Tennant Creek's residents aged 15+ have 20.7% university degrees, compared to Australia's 30.4%. This gap indicates potential for educational development. Bachelor degrees are the most common (12.7%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are held by 29.8%, including advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (20.4%).

Educational participation is high, with 32.0% currently enrolled in formal education: 14.5% in primary, 7.6% in secondary, and 3.7% in tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Health performance in Tennant Creek is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Tennant Creek faces notable health challenges as per AreaSearch's assessment.

Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are significant across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is more prevalent here at approximately 53% of the total population (~1,902 people), compared to the average SA2 area. The most common medical conditions are diabetes (8.0%) and asthma (5.1%). A higher proportion of residents declare themselves free from medical ailments (74.4%) than the Regional NT average (78.4%). Health outcomes among working-age individuals are typical. However, Tennant Creek has a higher percentage of seniors aged 65 and over (10.4%, or 373 people) compared to Regional NT (8.5%). Senior health outcomes in Tennant Creek rank above average nationally.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Tennant Creek was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Tennant Creek's population shows greater cultural diversity than most local markets, with 16.5% born overseas and 39.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Tennant Creek, accounting for 49.9% of its population. The 'Other' religious category comprises 1.9%, compared to Regional NT's 5.2%.

Ancestry-wise, Australian Aboriginal is the largest group (45.9%), followed by Australian (13.4%) and English (13.0%). Notably, Filipino representation is higher at 2.5% in Tennant Creek than regionally (1.4%), while Maori stands at 0.6% (vs regional 0.7%) and Macedonian at 0.1% (vs regional 0.0%).

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

Tennant Creek's median age in 2021 was 33 years, which is slightly higher than Regional NT's average of 31 but lower than Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Regional NT, Tennant Creek had a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (12.3%) and fewer residents aged 15-24 (11.7%). Post-2021 Census, the population aged 65-74 increased from 6.6% to 7.7%, while those aged 5-14 rose from 13.0% to 14.1%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 45-54 decreased from 13.5% to 11.6%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic shifts in Tennant Creek. Notably, the 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 24%, reaching 516 people from 416. Meanwhile, the 35-44 age cohort is expected to decline by 9 people.