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 ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, the estimated population of Tennant Creek as of Feb 2026 is around 3536. This reflects a growth of 456 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3080. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 3520 residents following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024 and validation of five new addresses post-Census date. This results in a density ratio of 84 persons per square kilometer, indicating significant space per person. Tennant Creek's growth rate of 14.8% since the 2021 Census exceeds the national average of 9.9%, positioning it as a regional growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 57% to overall population gains in 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 estimates, AreaSearch applies age cohort growth rates provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population projections indicate a median increase for national regional areas, with Tennant Creek expected to grow by 392 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 10.6% over the 17-year period.

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

Tennant Creek has seen around 15 dwelling approvals per year, with 75 approved between FY21-FY25 and 3 so far in FY26. This results in an average of 2 new residents per year per dwelling over the past five years, indicating balanced supply and demand conditions. However, this has decreased to 0.4 people per dwelling over the past two years. The average construction cost for new properties is $552,000, suggesting a focus on premium segments.

Commercial approvals in FY26 totalled $57,000, indicating minimal commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of NT, Tennant Creek shows moderately higher development activity, preserving buyer options while sustaining demand. New developments consist of 57% detached houses and 43% attached dwellings, marking a shift from existing housing patterns (currently 81% houses). The location has approximately 164 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market.

Population forecasts suggest Tennant Creek will gain 376 residents by 2041. Current development patterns 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

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

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

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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. The unemployment rate is 5.3%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of September 2025, there are 1,827 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.5% below the Rest of NT's rate of 5.9%.

Workforce participation is similar to the Rest of NT's 70.4%. Census responses show that only 3.0% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries are 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 data. 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. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May-25) suggest that Tennant Creek's employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.9% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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 ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch 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, Rest of NT has a median income of $53,572 and an average income of $63,776. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.44% since financial year 2023, the estimated median income for Tennant Creek as of September 2025 would be approximately $67,827, with the average being around $71,976. According to the 2021 Census, household income ranks at the 46th percentile ($1,677 weekly), while personal income sits at the 23rd percentile. The largest segment comprises 36.6% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (1,294 residents), aligning with metropolitan regions where this cohort also represents a significant portion. 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 latest Census evaluated dwelling structures in Tennant Creek with 80.6% houses and 19.3% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NT had 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, lower than Non-Metro NT's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Tennant Creek was recorded at $180, compared to Non-Metro 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 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 account for 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 3.1.

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 degree holders, compared to Australia's 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are held by 29.8%, with advanced diplomas at 9.4% and certificates at 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.

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.

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 significant health challenges according to AreaSearch's assessment.

Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age groups. The area has approximately 53% private health cover, slightly higher than the average SA2 area. Diabetes and asthma are the most common conditions, affecting 8.0% and 5.1% of residents respectively. Around 74.4% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 78.4% in Rest of NT. Health outcomes among working-age individuals are typical. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 10.3%, compared to 8.3% in Rest of NT. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

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 had a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 16.5% of its population born overseas and 39.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Tennant Creek, accounting for 49.9% of the population. The category 'Other' had an overrepresentation in Tennant Creek, comprising 1.9% compared to 5.2% across the rest of Northern Territory.

In terms of ancestry, Australian Aboriginal was the largest group at 45.9%, followed by Australian at 13.4% and English at 13.0%. Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Filipino was overrepresented at 2.5% compared to 1.4% regionally, Maori at 0.6% versus 0.7%, and Macedonian at 0.1% compared to 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, slightly higher than the Rest of NT average of 31 but lower than Australia's 38 years. Compared to the Rest of NT, Tennant Creek had a higher percentage of residents aged 0-4 (9.4%) but fewer residents aged 15-24 (11.5%). Following the 2021 Census, the population aged 65-74 increased from 6.6% to 7.6%. Meanwhile, the age group of 25-34 decreased from 18.5% to 16.9%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 13.5% to 12.4%. Population forecasts for 2041 suggest significant demographic changes in Tennant Creek, with the 45-54 age group projected to grow by 24 people, reaching 545 from 438. Conversely, the 35-44 cohort is expected to decline by 16 people.