Wadeye

Wadeye is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, as of Nov 2025, Wadeye's estimated population is around 2,258. This reflects a 334-person increase since the 2021 Census, which reported 1,924 people. The current population estimate of 2,254 by AreaSearch is based on June 2024 ABS ERP data release and address validation post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 108 persons per square kilometer. Wadeye's 17.4% growth since the 2021 Census exceeds both national (9.7%) and state averages, making it a regional growth leader. Natural growth primarily drove this increase.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a 2022 base year. For areas not covered, growth rates by age cohort from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) are applied post-2032. Future trends suggest a population increase just below Australia's non-metropolitan median, with an expected growth of 261 persons to 2041, reflecting a total gain of 10.2% over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Wadeye is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Wadeye has had minimal residential development activity, with fewer than one dwelling approval annually over the past five years. This low level of development reflects the rural nature of the area, where housing needs are typically specific and locally driven rather than broad market demand. It should be noted that the small sample size can significantly influence annual growth and relative statistics.

Compared to the Rest of NT and national patterns, Wadeye has much lower residential development activity.

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

No infrastructure changes have been identified by AreaSearch that could impact this area. Key projects include East Kimberley Clean Energy Project, Australia-Asia PowerLink (AAPowerLink), Northern Territory Freight Rail And Logistics Capacity Improvements, and Network Optimisation Program - Rail.

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

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Employment conditions in Wadeye face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Wadeye has a diverse workforce with equal representation of white and blue collar jobs. Key sectors include education & training, public administration & safety, and other services.

As of September 2025453 residents are employed. The unemployment rate is 24.4%, higher than the Rest of NT's rate of 5.9%. Workforce participation is lower at 25.4% compared to the regional average of 50.7%. The area has a strong specialization in education & training, with an employment share of 2.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, accommodation & food services have lower representation at 1.7% versus the regional average of 6.9%. Labour force levels decreased by 0.3% and employment declined by 3.2% over the 12 months to September 2025, leading to an unemployment rise of 2.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wadeye's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.8% over ten years.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The suburb of Wadeye has a lower than average income level nationally, according to the latest Australian Taxation Office data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year ended 30 June 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Wadeye is $29,616, while the average income stands at $39,533. This compares to figures for the Rest of NT's of $53,572 and $63,776 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.44% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $32,116 (median) and $42,870 (average) as of September 2025. Census income data is not available for detailed analysis in Wadeye. Distribution data shows that the $0 - 399 bracket dominates with 28.5% of residents (643 people), contrasting with the region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 33.6%. The prevalence of lower-income residents indicates constrained household budgets across much of the area, with 50.2% earning less than $800 per week. While housing costs are modest, with 93.5% of income retained, the total disposable income ranks at just the 3rd percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure in Wadeye, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 72.7% houses and 27.4% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NT had 83.6% houses and 16.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wadeye was 1.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 0.0% and rented dwellings at 98.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $0, below Non-Metro NT's average of $1,346. Median weekly rent in Wadeye was $50, compared to Non-Metro NT's $80 and the national average of $375. Nationally, Wadeye's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863.

Wadeye features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 85.0% of all households, including 50.1% couples with children, 12.5% couples without children, and 20.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for 15.0%, with lone person households at 11.9% and group households comprising 3.3%. The median household size is 4.8 people, larger than the Rest of NT average of 3.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 9.9%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This discrepancy presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 6.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Vocational pathways account for 15.3% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 4.5% and certificates at 10.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 33.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 19.6% in primary education, 8.8% in secondary education, and 1.5% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Wadeye's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Wadeye, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 43% of the total population (around 961 people), compared to 48.0% across the Rest of NT and a national average of 55.7%. Heart disease and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 4.7 and 3.4% of residents respectively, while 86.7% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 78.5% across the Rest of NT.

The area has 4.3% of residents aged 65 and over (97 people), which is lower than the 9.4% in the Rest of NT. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly aligning with the general population's health profile.

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

Wadeye's cultural diversity is above average with 2.6% born overseas and 87.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, practiced by 46.5%. The 'Other' category comprises 14.1%, higher than the Rest of NT average of 6.9%.

In terms of ancestry, Australian Aboriginal is highest at 83.4%, above the regional average of 64.6%. Australian and English groups are lower than averages: Australian at 4.0% (regional avg: 9.9%) and English at 3.9% (regional avg: 10.2%). Notably, Korean is overrepresented in Wadeye at 0.2%, compared to the regional average of 0.1%.

Wadeye hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Wadeye's median age is 28 years, which is marginally below the Rest of NT average of 31 years and substantially under Australia's average age of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of NT, Wadeye has a higher concentration of residents aged 15-24 (19.6%) but fewer residents aged 55-64 (7.6%). This concentration of 15-24 year-olds is well above the national average of 12.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 15.0% to 16.8% of Wadeye's population, while the 65 to 74 cohort increased from 2.4% to 3.7%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 19.7% to 16.9%, and the 25 to 34 group dropped from 19.5% to 17.9%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Wadeye's age structure. The 45 to 54 group is projected to grow by 55% (131 people), reaching 371 from 239. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 85+ and 15 to 24 cohorts.