Economy, jobs and prices in Darwin, Australia: official figures
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.
What is the median wage in Darwin?
The median employee income in the City of Darwin was $70,965 for the year 2022-23, 3rd highest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $61,966.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Darwin?
The median equivalised household income in the City of Darwin was $1,396 a week at the 2021 Census (household income adjusted for household size), 4th highest of 26 areas; for Australia it was $1,070.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Darwin?
The unemployment rate in the City of Darwin was 4.1% at the 2021 Census (census night, 10 August 2021), 4th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (5.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Darwin?
70.1% of residents of the City of Darwin aged 15 and over were in the labour force (working or looking for work) at the 2021 Census, joint highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (61.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Darwin?
Of the 44,133 employed residents of the City of Darwin at the 2021 Census, the largest industries were public administration and safety (18.0%; 6.6% nationally), health care and social assistance (16.1%) and accommodation and food services (9.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many businesses are there in Darwin?
8,119 businesses were registered in the City of Darwin at 30 June 2025, which is 90 for every 1,000 residents (13th highest of 26 areas; Australia 99); 61% of them had no employees.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many new homes were approved in Darwin in 2024-25?
Building approvals in the City of Darwin in 2024-25 covered 74 new dwellings (0.8 per 1,000 residents; Australia 6.8) and building work worth $524 million in total.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median house price in Darwin?
The median price of an established house sold in the City of Darwin in 2023-24 was $610,000, 6th lowest of 26 areas (Australia $780,000); the median price of an attached dwelling (such as a unit or townhouse) was $390,000.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people rent in Darwin?
34.3% of occupied homes in the City of Darwin were flats or apartments at the 2021 Census (Australia 14.2%), and 49.0% of homes were rented (Australia 30.6%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households in Darwin do not own a car?
6.9% of households in the City of Darwin had no motor vehicle at the 2021 Census, 13th highest of 26 areas (Australia 7.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many solar panels were installed in Darwin in 2024?
355 small-scale solar panel systems were installed in the City of Darwin in 2024, 4.0 per 1,000 residents (Australia 11.7).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Darwin compares with other cities in Australia
Unemployment rate, 2021 Census (2021 Census (10 August 2021))
Darwin ranks 28 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Sunshine Coast | 4.4% |
| 26 | Geelong | 4.4% |
| 27 | Bendigo | 4.2% |
| 28 | Darwin | 4.1% |
| 29 | Greater Darwin | 4.0% |
| 30 | Canberra-Queanbeyan | 3.8% |
| 31 | Canberra | 3.8% |
Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 (2022-23)
Darwin ranks 3 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canberra | $75,643 |
| 2 | Greater Darwin | $70,961 |
| 3 | Darwin | $69,529 |
| 4 | Sydney | $65,191 |
| 5 | Brisbane | $63,317 |
| 6 | Greater Perth | $63,138 |
| 7 | Townsville | $62,262 |
Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 (30 June 2025)
Darwin ranks 13 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Sunshine Coast | 103 |
| 11 | Toowoomba | 97 |
| 12 | Newcastle | 91 |
| 13 | Darwin | 90 |
| 14 | Greater Perth | 87 |
| 15 | Greater Adelaide | 87 |
| 16 | Greater Brisbane | 86 |
More on Darwin: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in Australia
Sources
- 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.