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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the Tennant Creek statistical area (Lv2), the estimated population as of Nov 2025 is around 3,525 people. This reflects an increase of 445 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,080 people. The change was inferred from the resident population of 3,520 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024), along with an additional two validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 83 persons per square kilometer. The Tennant Creek (SA2) experienced a growth rate of 14.4% from 2021 to Nov 2025, exceeding the national average of 9.7%. Natural growth contributed approximately 56.99999999999999% of overall population gains during recent periods in the area.

AreaSearch is adopting 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 to estimate growth post-2032, AreaSearch applies growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). According to aggregated SA2-level projections, the Tennant Creek (SA2) is expected to increase by 392 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 11.0% over the 17-year period.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Tennant Creek has experienced around 15 dwellings receiving development approval per year. Approximately 75 homes have been approved over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, with an additional three approved so far in FY-26. On average, this results in about two new residents per year per dwelling constructed over these five financial years. However, recent data shows a decrease to 0.4 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating more balanced supply conditions.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $552,000, reflecting a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY-26, there have been $57,000 in commercial approvals, suggesting minimal commercial development activity compared to residential. Relative to the Rest of NT, Tennant Creek shows moderately higher development activity, at 15.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period, offering reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. The new development consists of 57.0% detached houses and 43.0% attached dwellings, marking a significant shift from the current housing pattern of 81.0% houses, likely due to diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences.

Tennant Creek has approximately 164 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Population forecasts suggest that Tennant Creek will gain 387 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.

Tennant Creek has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 8thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects likely to impact the area: Venture Housing - Social and Affordable Homes, Tennant Creek Aviation and Accommodation Hub, Territory Energy Link, and Urban Public Housing - Peko Road. The following details those most relevant.

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

Tennant Creek has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well-represented. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate is 5.3%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

There are 1,827 residents in work, with an unemployment rate 0.5% below the Rest of NT's rate of 5.9%. Workforce participation is similar to the Rest of NT's 50.7%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and education & training. Health care & social assistance has a notable concentration with employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0.8% versus the regional average of 5.0%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census working population to local population count. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.4%, employment declined by 1.0%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.4 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of NT recorded an employment decline of 1.3% and a labour force decline of 1.2%, with unemployment rising marginally. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Tennant Creek. These projections estimate local employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.9% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation of industry-specific growth rates against the local employment mix.

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

Tennant Creek's median income among taxpayers was $62,548 in the financial year 2023. The suburb's average income stood at $66,374 during this period. This compares to figures for Rest of NT which were $53,572 and $63,776 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.44% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $67,827 (median) and $71,976 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, household income ranked at the 46th percentile ($1,677 weekly), while personal income was 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

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). This compares to Non-Metro NT's 85.0% houses and 15.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Tennant Creek was at 13.6%, similar to Non-Metro NT, with the rest of dwellings either mortgaged (14.3%) or rented (72.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Tennant Creek was $1,114, higher than Non-Metro NT's average of $1,087. Median weekly rent in Tennant Creek was recorded at $180, compared to Non-Metro NT's $135. Nationally, Tennant Creek's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while 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 constitute 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 comprise the remaining 39.4%, with lone person households at 35.1% and group households making up 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 residents aged 15+ have 20.7% university degree holders, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 12.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are held by 29.8% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 9.4% and certificates at 20.4%. Educational participation is high, with 32.0% currently enrolled in formal education: primary (14.5%), secondary (7.6%), and tertiary (3.7%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 32.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.5% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 3.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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 superior health outcomes, with low prevalence of common conditions across all ages. Private health cover rate stands at approximately 53%, compared to the NT average of 50.4%.

Diabetes and asthma are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 8% and 5.1% respectively. 74.4% report no medical ailments, slightly lower than the NT average of 77.5%. The area has a higher proportion of seniors at 10.2%, compared to 8.3% in the rest of NT. Health outcomes among seniors are above average and align with general population health profiles.

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 was found to have 16.5% born overseas, with 39.8% speaking a language other than English at home, indicating higher cultural diversity compared to most local markets. Christianity is the predominant religion in Tennant Creek, comprising 49.9% of its population. However, the category 'Other' shows an overrepresentation in Tennant Creek at 1.9%, compared to 1.4% across the rest of Northern Territory.

Regarding ancestry, Australian Aboriginal is the top group in Tennant Creek at 45.9%, lower than the regional average of 54.3%. The second and third groups are Australian at 13.4% and English at 13.0%. Notable divergences exist in the representation of Filipino (2.5% vs regional 1.6%), Maori (0.6% vs 0.4%), and Macedonian (0.1% vs 0.1%).

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

At age 33 years, Tennant Creek's median age exceeds the Rest of NT average of 31 but is substantially below Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of NT, Tennant Creek has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (12.5%) but fewer residents aged 15-24 (11.2%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 65-74 grew from 6.6% to 7.4%, while the 45-54 age group declined from 13.5% to 12.2% and the 25-34 group decreased from 18.5% to 17.3%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes in Tennant Creek. Notably, the 45-54 age group is expected to grow by 27%, reaching 545 people from 430, while the 35-44 cohort is projected to decline by 14 people.