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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Wadeye has an estimated 2,271 residents, up from 1,924 at the 2021 Census — a change of 347 people, or 18.0%. Natural increase accounts for 100.0% of that increase. That puts 109 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Following an examination of ABS population statistics for the surrounding region and address confirmations completed by AreaSearch since the Census, the estimated number of residents in the suburb of Wadeye stands at approximately 2,271 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 347 people (18.0%) from the 1,924 individuals recorded in the 2021 Census. AreaSearch calculated this updated figure of 2,271 by reviewing the June 2025 release of ABS ERP data alongside address validation checks since the census date. A population of this size results in a density of 109 persons per square kilometer, which indicates substantial space per resident and capacity for prospective development.
Wadeye's growth rate of 18.0% since the 2021 census outpaced both the national average (9.3%) and the state, positioning it as a leading growth area in the wider region. Demographic gains in the area were almost exclusively driven by natural increase, which served as the sole driver of population growth during the latest time frames. Projections developed by the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 regions are being utilized by AreaSearch, based on a 2022 baseline and published in 2024. For SA2 territories where this data is unavailable, and to calculate population trajectories after 2032, AreaSearch applies growth factors by age groups sourced from the latest Greater Capital Region projections published by the ABS in 2023 using 2022 figures. Looking at upcoming demographic patterns, Wadeye is anticipated to experience a population expansion slightly below the median for non-metropolitan parts of Australia, with regional projections indicating an increase of 238 persons by 2041, which represents a total gain of 10.5% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Wadeye exhibits very limited residential construction activity, averaging only 1 dwelling approvals annually (marking minimal approvals over five years). This low volume of building approvals is characteristic of the rural setting, where construction is generally triggered by specific local needs for housing rather than overall market demand. Because of the small sample size, minor changes in individual construction projects can have a major effect on yearly growth statistics and comparisons. Wadeye experiences a much lower level of residential construction compared to Rest of NT. This level of building activity is also below broader national trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Wadeye
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 41 current infrastructure and development projects close to Wadeye, worth an estimated $6.29 billion. 15 are already under construction and 12 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, planning schemes, and major developments can significantly affect a region's performance. There are none developments identified by AreaSearch that are expected to influence the local area. Major regional initiatives include the East Kimberley Clean Energy Project, Australia-Asia PowerLink (AAPowerLink), Northern Territory Freight Rail And Logistics Capacity Improvements, and the Network Optimisation Program - Rail, with the following details showing those of greatest relevance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Project Sea Dragon
Project Sea Dragon is a large-scale, integrated, land-based black tiger prawn aquaculture project. Following a period of voluntary administration and liquidation of its previous subsidiary, Seafarms Group Limited successfully re-acquired the project assets in December 2025 through its new subsidiary, Sea Dragon Shrimp Pty Ltd. The project involves a staged development including a founder stock centre in Exmouth, a breeding facility at Bynoe Harbour, and massive grow-out ponds at Legune Station. The developer is currently seeking project financing and a Final Investment Decision (FID) within the 2025-2026 financial year.
Ord River Irrigation Area Expansion - Goomig and Knox Plain
Major staged expansion of the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) in the East Kimberley, building on the wider Ord-East Kimberley Expansion Project. The ORIA Strategy 2024-34 sets a long-term vision to grow the irrigation area from around 28,000 hectares today to up to 50,000 hectares, with value-add processing to drive jobs and regional economic growth. Current works centre on the 7,400 hectare Goomig Farmlands (Weaber Plain) and the new 5,500 hectare Knox Plain release, leased to Kimberley Agricultural Investment in 2024 in partnership with Keep Farming.To unlock Knox, the Water Corporation is delivering a 77 million dollar upgrade of the M1 supply channel from Lake Kununurra, widening around 10 kilometres of channel, installing new control structures and offtakes, and lifting peak flow capacity by 570 megalitres per day, with completion targeted in 2027. The new 60 million dollar Kimberley Cotton Gin in Kununurra was officially opened in August 2025 with capacity for around 100,000 bales per year, anchoring a fast-growing local cotton industry alongside crops such as sandalwood, maize, mangoes, melons and pumpkin. Project partners include the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Water Corporation, Kimberley Agricultural Investment, the Ord Irrigation Cooperative and Miriuwung Gajerrong Traditional Owners.
Weaber Plain Light Industrial Estate
Light industrial estate 3km from Kununurra town centre, extension of existing Weaber Plains Road Light Industrial Area. Fully serviced lots with underground power, water and sewer to service growing Ord agricultural area.
Aboriginal Employee Housing Kununurra
A project to deliver six new homes for Aboriginal employees in Kununurra, funded by the State Government's North-West Aboriginal Housing Fund.
Coolibah Estate
Located near the Kununurra town centre, Coolibah Estate is a 124-home residential development situated close to schools, childcare, medical facilities, local shops, and sporting clubs. The estate is designed to provide a diverse range of housing products including single residential, grouped housing, commercial, and mixed-use sites.
Moonamang Road Sealing Project
WA Government $18.3 million commitment to seal remaining 7.5km of Moonamang Road to NT border. Provides year-round all-weather access to Legune Station supporting Project Sea Dragon and regional connectivity.
Kununurra Town Centre Revitalisation
State Government commitment of $327,500 to develop revitalisation plan for Kununurra Town Centre, modernising key gateway destination into WA and the Kimberley. Partnership between Shire, MG Corporation, East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Kimberley Development Commission. Plan aims to make the town centre more welcoming, vibrant and attractive for residents, businesses and visitors, and to lay the foundation for precinct-level improvement of infrastructure and amenities.
Kununurra Primary Health Centre
One-stop-shop healthcare hub for East Kimberley community enabling more people to access care closer to home. Part of $54 million East Kimberley Development Package health infrastructure allocation.
464 residents of Wadeye are employed, from a labour force of 628. Unemployment sits at 26.1%, with participation at 35.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 1,959, about 86% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Wadeye features a diverse employment base that includes both white collar and blue collar jobs, with strong representation in essential services sectors. The area recorded an unemployment rate of 26.1% and experienced an estimated employment growth of 1.8% during the previous year, according to AreaSearch aggregated statistical area data. By March 2026, there were 464 residents employed, while the unemployment rate stood at 20.2%, which exceeds the Regional NT rate of 5.9%. This difference suggests opportunities for enhancement. Workforce participation in Wadeye is notably lower than the regional average, with a rate of 35.4% compared to 69.9% in Regional NT.
Census data indicates that only 1.4% of residents were working from home, a figure that should be interpreted with consideration of the effects of Covid-19 lockdown measures. The primary sectors employing residents are education & training, public administration & safety, and other services. The local area displays a high concentration of jobs in education & training, with a share that is 2.4 times the regional benchmark. In contrast, accommodation & food has a lower representation, accounting for 1.7% of jobs compared to the regional average of 6.9%. The mostly residential character of the area seems to restrict local employment options, as shown by the comparison between the Census working population count and the resident population. According to an analysis of SALM and ABS statistics compiled from broader geographic areas by AreaSearch, during the 12 months leading up to March 2026, local employment grew by 1.8% while the labor force expanded by 4.0%, resulting in a 1.6 percentage points increase in the unemployment rate. Conversely, Regional NT saw jobs grow by 2.8% and the labor force rise by 2.7%, representing a minor reduction. Future job opportunities in Wadeye can be understood by looking at national employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia issued in May-25. These forecasts, spanning five and ten-year horizons, have been aligned with the local industry profile to estimate future trends. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though these rates vary widely by industry. Projecting these industry trends onto the local workforce mix suggests that local employment could rise by 6.0% over five years and 12.8% over ten years (this represents a direct weighting calculation for demonstration purposes and does not account for specific local population forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Wadeye is $767 a week (about $40,000 a year), with median personal income at $181 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $29,616 a year against an average of $39,533. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Based on financial year 2023 ATO statistics aggregated by AreaSearch, tax-paying residents in Wadeye earn less on average than the national benchmark. Taxpayers in Wadeye have a median income of $29,616 and an average income of $39,533, compared to $53,572 and $63,776 respectively in Regional NT. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 9.41% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes would be roughly $32,403 for the median and $43,253 for the average as of March 2026. Detailed analysis cannot be performed using Census income data. Income distribution figures show the largest segment of residents falls into the $0 - 399 bracket, accounting for 28.5% of the population (647 people), whereas the leading bracket for the wider region is $1,500 - 2,999 at 33.6%.
The high proportion of lower-income earners (50.2% receiving less than $800/week) points to tight household budgets throughout the locality. Although housing costs are low, with residents keeping 93.5% of their income, total disposable income sits in the 3rd percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Wadeye had 339 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 73% detached houses and 2% apartments. 0% are owned with a mortgage, 99% rented and 1% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $50 a week. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the housing composition in Wadeye consisted of 72.7% separate houses and 27.4% alternative housing types (such as apartments, semi-detached properties, and other dwellings), compared to 75.6% houses and 24.5% other dwellings in Regional NT. The rate of home ownership in Wadeye was low at 1.1%, with the remaining properties being rented (98.9%) and none carrying a mortgage. The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was lower than the Regional NT average at none, while the median weekly rent was $50, compared to $1,733 and $150 in Regional NT.
On a national scale, Wadeye's mortgage payments are significantly below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also much lower than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Wadeye counted 339 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 400 today, averaging 4.8 people each. 50% are couples with children, more than in 95% of areas nationally, against 13% couples without children. 12% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 85.0%, consisting of 50.1% couples with children, 12.5% couples without children, and 20.8% single parent homes. The remaining 15.0% consist of non-family living arrangements, with single person households accounting for 11.9% and group households representing 3.3% of the total. The median household size of 4.8 individuals is larger than the Regional NT average of 3.1.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
9.9% of adults in Wadeye hold a university qualification, including 6.4% with a bachelor degree and 2.3% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 98% of areas nationally. A further 10.8% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 456 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 656 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment in the area is lower than average, with university completion rates at 9.9%, which is well below the Australian rate of 30.4%. This highlights a clear need for educational support programs. Among residents, bachelor degrees are the most common at 6.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.3% and graduate diplomas at 1.2%. Technical and vocational training accounts for 15.3% of qualifications for individuals aged 15 and over, split between advanced diplomas (4.5%) and certificates (10.8%). A high proportion of the population is engaged in learning, with 33.5% of residents currently enrolled in an educational institution.
This includes 19.6% attending primary school, 8.8% in secondary education, and 1.5% undertaking tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
86.7% of residents in Wadeye report no long-term health condition. 3.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 42.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 14.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators reflect relatively favorable outcomes for Wadeye residents, with an analysis of mortality and illness rates by AreaSearch showing results that are generally consistent with national averages and showing standard rates of common health issues across age groups. However, the level of private health insurance coverage is low at approximately 43% of the population (~967 people). This is lower than the 51.6% coverage rate across Regional NT and the national average of 55.7%. Heart disease and asthma represent the most frequent medical diagnoses in the area, affecting 4.7% and 3.4% of residents, respectively, while 86.7% of the population reported no chronic medical conditions compared to 78.4% in Regional NT.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 4.7% of the local population (106 people), which is lower than the 8.5% average for Regional NT. Health status among senior citizens is strong, with national comparisons exceeding those of the younger population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Wadeye is largely Australian-born, at 97.4% of residents, with 87.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian Aboriginal (83.4%) and Australian (4.0%). 83.4% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Wadeye exhibits higher cultural diversity than average, with 2.6% of residents born outside Australia and 87.2% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 46.5% of the local population. The most prominent statistical divergence is in the Other category, which represents 14.1% of residents, significantly higher than the Regional NT average of 5.2%. Regarding parent birthplaces, the three largest ancestry groups represented in Wadeye are Australian Aboriginal at 83.4% of the population (significantly above the regional average of 43.6%), Australian at 4.0% of the population (notably below the regional average of 14.9%), and English at 3.9% of the population (notably below the regional average of 14.3%).
Additionally, some ethnic groups show notable distribution differences, with Korean residents overrepresented at 0.2% of the Wadeye population compared to 0.1% across the region.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Wadeye is 28, younger than 99% of areas nationally. That is 1 year older than at the 2021 Census. 38.2% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Wadeye has a median age of 28 years, which is slightly lower than the Regional NT median of 31 and significantly below the national median of 38 years. Compared to Regional NT, Wadeye has a higher proportion of residents aged 15 - 24 (20.3%) but a lower share of people aged 65 - 74 (3.7%). The concentration of young people aged 15 - 24 is also above the national rate of 12.7%. Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age bracket has risen from 15.0% to 16.9% of the population, and the 55 to 64 group increased from 6.3% to 8.1%.
Meanwhile, the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 19.7% to 15.7%, and the 25 to 34 group fell from 19.5% to 17.9%. Looking toward 2041, demographic projections indicate notable changes in Wadeye's age profile. The 45 to 54 group is projected to rise by 51% (119 people), increasing from 236 to 356. Conversely, decreases are projected for both the 0 to 4 and 85+ cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Wadeye
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (1,924 at the 2021 Census → 2,271 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL70275). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.