Greater Darwin: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Greater Darwin: The median total income of residents of Greater Darwin who had income was $70,961 a year in 2022-23 (before tax, excluding government pensions and allowances), 2nd highest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $58,216. Boundary: Greater Darwin, the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area (the city and its commuting zone).
- Health in Greater Darwin: 2,113 births were registered to mothers living in Greater Darwin in 2024, and the total fertility rate was 1.62 births per woman, above the national figure (1.54). Boundary: Greater Darwin, the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area (the city and its commuting zone).
- Education in Greater Darwin: 57.9% of residents of Greater Darwin aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, 16th highest of 31 areas, below the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: Greater Darwin, the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area (the city and its commuting zone).
- Poverty and living standards in Greater Darwin: The median weekly rent paid by households in Greater Darwin was $385 at the 2021 Census (rents on census night, 10 August 2021), 14th lowest of 31 areas; the national median was $375. Boundary: Greater Darwin, the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area (the city and its commuting zone).
What is the population of Greater Darwin?
Greater Darwin had an estimated 159,284 residents on 30 June 2025 (ABS preliminary estimate), 8th lowest of 31 areas covered on this site. Boundary: Greater Darwin, the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area (the city and its commuting zone).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyIs the population of Greater Darwin growing?
The population of Greater Darwin grew by 2,719 people (1.7%) in the year to 30 June 2025, from 156,565 to 159,284; Australia as a whole grew 1.5%.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow fast has the population of Greater Darwin grown in the last five years?
Between 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2025 the estimated population of Greater Darwin rose 7.9%, from 147,673 to 159,284, compared with 7.7% for Australia.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people moved to Greater Darwin in 2024-25?
In the year to 30 June 2025 Greater Darwin had net overseas migration of +2,847 people and net internal (within Australia) migration of -1,430 people.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the population density of Greater Darwin?
Greater Darwin covers 3,168 square kilometres, so its 2025 population works out at about 50 people per square kilometre.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median age in Greater Darwin?
The median age of residents of Greater Darwin was 34.8 years in 2024, below the national figure (38.3 years).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households are there in Greater Darwin?
The 2021 Census counted 47,297 households in Greater Darwin, with an average of 2.6 people per household.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Darwin were born overseas?
At the 2021 Census 27.7% of residents of Greater Darwin were born overseas, above the national figure (27.6%), and 23.6% spoke a language other than English at home, above the national figure (22.3%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWho runs Greater 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
- Sunshine Coast 381,957
- Central Coast 357,816
- Greater Wollongong 322,343
- Geelong 295,052
- 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
- Bendigo 126,568
- Ballarat 122,661
- Albury-Wodonga 102,435
- Darwin 90,035
Up a level: all cities in Australia · Australia · government and power
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Regional population 2024-25: estimated resident population by Greater Capital City Statistical Area, 2001 to 2025 (data cube 32180DS0003, Table 4), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 f35d0ca0caaf…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Greater Capital City Statistical Areas and Australia (ASGS Edition 3), all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bf78744b9729…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.