Darwin: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Darwin: The median total income of residents of the City of Darwin who had income was $69,529 a year in 2022-23 (before tax, excluding government pensions and allowances), 3rd highest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $58,216. Boundary: the City of Darwin local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Health in Darwin: 1,115 births were registered to mothers living in the City of Darwin in 2024, and the total fertility rate was 1.43 births per woman, below the national figure (1.54). Boundary: the City of Darwin local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Education in Darwin: 63.9% of residents of the City of Darwin aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, joint 11th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: the City of Darwin local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Poverty and living standards in Darwin: The median weekly rent paid by households in the City of Darwin was $380 at the 2021 Census (rents on census night, 10 August 2021), joint 12th lowest of 31 areas; the national median was $375. Boundary: the City of Darwin local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
What is the population of Darwin?
The City of Darwin had an estimated 90,035 residents on 30 June 2025 (ABS preliminary estimate), 4th lowest of 31 areas covered on this site. Boundary: the City of Darwin local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyIs the population of Darwin growing?
The population of the City of Darwin grew by 1,282 people (1.4%) in the year to 30 June 2025, from 88,753 to 90,035; Australia as a whole grew 1.5%.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow fast has the population of Darwin grown in the last five years?
Between 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2025 the estimated population of the City of Darwin rose 5.8%, from 85,109 to 90,035, compared with 7.7% for Australia.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people moved to Darwin in 2024-25?
In the year to 30 June 2025 the City of Darwin had net overseas migration of +2,235 people and net internal (within Australia) migration of -1,602 people.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the population density of Darwin?
The City of Darwin covers 111 square kilometres, so its 2025 population works out at about 809 people per square kilometre.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median age in Darwin?
The median age of residents of the City of Darwin was 35.1 years in 2024, below the national figure (38.3 years).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households are there in Darwin?
The 2021 Census counted 28,456 households in the City of Darwin, with an average of 2.6 people per household.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Darwin were born overseas?
At the 2021 Census 34.1% of residents of the City of Darwin were born overseas, above the national figure (27.6%), and 30.7% spoke a language other than English at home, above the national figure (22.3%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWho runs Darwin?
In Australia, cities and towns are run by local governments: Councillors elected (methods vary by state; voting compulsory in some states); mayors directly elected in some places and chosen by councillors in others. Local roads, planning approvals, waste, libraries, parks, rates (property tax).
How local power works in Australia
Cities of a similar size in Australia
- Greater Hobart 255,250
- Sydney 241,797
- Wollongong 224,327
- Townsville 206,260
- Melbourne 194,481
- Toowoomba 186,276
- Cairns 179,334
- Newcastle 178,935
- Greater Darwin 159,284
- Bendigo 126,568
- Ballarat 122,661
- Albury-Wodonga 102,435
- Hobart 55,859
- Perth 35,673
- Adelaide 30,173
Up a level: all cities in Australia · Australia · government and power
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Regional population 2024-25: estimated resident population by Local Government Area and Significant Urban Area, 2001 to 2025 (data cube 32180DS0004), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 625c7c3de3b7…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.