Economy, jobs and prices in Greater Darwin, Australia: official figures
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).
What is the median wage in Greater Darwin?
The median employee income in Greater Darwin was $72,526 for the year 2022-23, 2nd highest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $61,966.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Greater Darwin?
The median equivalised household income in Greater Darwin was $1,377 a week at the 2021 Census (household income adjusted for household size), 5th highest of 26 areas; for Australia it was $1,070.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Greater Darwin?
The unemployment rate in Greater Darwin was 4.0% at the 2021 Census (census night, 10 August 2021), 3rd lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (5.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Greater Darwin?
69.7% of residents of Greater Darwin aged 15 and over were in the labour force (working or looking for work) at the 2021 Census, joint 3rd highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (61.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Greater Darwin?
Of the 74,631 employed residents of Greater Darwin at the 2021 Census, the largest industries were public administration and safety (18.7%; 6.6% nationally), health care and social assistance (13.6%) and construction (8.8%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many businesses are there in Greater Darwin?
12,578 businesses were registered in Greater Darwin at 30 June 2025, which is 79 for every 1,000 residents (7th lowest of 26 areas; Australia 99); 61% of them had no employees.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many new homes were approved in Greater Darwin in 2024-25?
Building approvals in Greater Darwin in 2024-25 covered 364 new dwellings (2.3 per 1,000 residents; Australia 6.8).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median house price in Greater Darwin?
The median price of an established house sold in Greater Darwin in 2023-24 was $580,000, 4th lowest of 26 areas (Australia $780,000); the median price of an attached dwelling (such as a unit or townhouse) was $375,000.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people rent in Greater Darwin?
25.0% of occupied homes in Greater Darwin were flats or apartments at the 2021 Census (Australia 14.2%), and 43.8% of homes were rented (Australia 30.6%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households in Greater Darwin do not own a car?
5.6% of households in Greater Darwin had no motor vehicle at the 2021 Census, 9th lowest of 26 areas (Australia 7.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many solar panels were installed in Greater Darwin in 2024?
812 small-scale solar panel systems were installed in Greater Darwin in 2024, 5.2 per 1,000 residents (Australia 11.7).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Greater Darwin compares with other cities in Australia
Unemployment rate, 2021 Census (2021 Census (10 August 2021))
Greater Darwin ranks 29 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)
Greater Darwin ranks 2 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)
Greater Darwin ranks 20 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Cairns | 85 |
| 18 | Ballarat | 83 |
| 19 | Geelong | 80 |
| 20 | Greater Darwin | 79 |
| 21 | Canberra | 76 |
| 22 | Greater Hobart | 76 |
| 23 | Central Coast | 76 |
More on Greater Darwin: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in Australia
Sources
- 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…)
- 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…)
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