Median house price
—
No data available
NT · Darwin Council
Karama, 0812
Est. population · Jun 2025
5,113
Growth (1 yr)
-1.4%
Growth (5 yr)
-3.0%
Median age
35
Median income
$1,783/wk
Employment rate
59.2%
Languages at home
36.6%non-English
Most common: Greek, Tagalog, Filipino
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Karama is a practical mid-sized suburb in Darwin Council, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with family life visible on every street. Overseas-born and multilingual households are a noticeable part of the local population.
Families have many nearby school and early-learning options to choose from. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many metro suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Daily life works well on foot, with buses also serving the suburb.
Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range. The streetscape feels settled and established, with older homes giving the area a familiar, lived-in look.
Against similar metro suburbs, safety stand out and the overall desirability rating is good, with community and employment less decisive.
At a glance
Karama snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
5,113
-1.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.9%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#1
among Metro Darwin · Established
Pop. growth
0th
percentile in NT
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
30th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 64.8/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 1% of Northern Territory's suburbs
- National rank
- 573rd in Australia
- State rank
- 1st in NT
- Peer rank
- #1 among Metro Darwin · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #1 among Metro Darwin suburbs
- Data confidence
- 65%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Population
Estimated resident population
5,113(June 2025)
-1.4% annual · -3.0% over 5 years · 0th percentile in NT
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- -1.4%
- 5-year growth
- -3.0%
- Change in 1 year
- -70
- Change in 5 years
- -157
- Growth rank in NT
- 0th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~5,050), extrapolated at -0.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 4,803
- Median age
- 35
- Median household income / week
- $1,783
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 97 of 1,651
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,950
- Employment rate
- 59.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,200 / 276 / 78
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 9
- Median school ICSEA (9 schools)
- 962
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 30th
School list
- Karama Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 769 · 2th percentile · LBOTE 83% · 173 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 0.3 km awayView on My School →
- Manunda Terrace Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 792 · 3th percentile · LBOTE 55% · 189 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 0.5 km awayView on My School →
- Holy Family Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 968 · 33th percentile · LBOTE 28% · 248 students · Top SEA quarter 14% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- NT Christian CollegeSecondary · Independent · ICSEA 987 · 41th percentile · LBOTE 23% · 93 students · Top SEA quarter 15% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- O'Loughlin Catholic CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1025 · 58th percentile · LBOTE 29% · 599 students · Top SEA quarter 25% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
- Marrara Christian CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 962 · 30th percentile · LBOTE 47% · 289 students · Top SEA quarter 14% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
- Top End School of Flexible LearningSecondary · Government · ICSEA 789 · 3th percentile · LBOTE 22% · 123 students · Top SEA quarter 5% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Malak Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 770 · 2th percentile · LBOTE 51% · 148 students · Top SEA quarter 1% · 1.6 km awayView on My School →
- Milkwood Steiner SchoolCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1053 · 70th percentile · LBOTE 20% · 118 students · Top SEA quarter 27% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Public transport
29 public transport stops in this suburb
- 20 Karama Crescent
- 46 Karama Crescent
- 46 Koolinda Crescent
- 7 Koolinda Crescent
- Kalymnos Dr at Karama Shops
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Amenities
404 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 restaurants · 1 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 3 fast food · 1 libraries · 2 places of worship · 4 playgrounds · 309 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 9 parks mapped in suburb, 4 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 29 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 315 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 78/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.83
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.87
Food & drink(4)
- Domino'sFast food
- Kebab KaramaFast food
- Panda Food CentreFast food
- Jilvie's BistroRestaurant
Shopping(3)
- EG AustraliaConvenience store
- WoolworthsSupermarket
Community(4)
- Karama LibraryLibrary
- Holy Family Catholic PrimarySchool
- Karama PrimarySchool
37 Livistona Road, Karama
- Manunda Terrace PrimarySchool
31 Manunda Terrace
Health & services(1)
- AmcalPharmacy
Sport & outdoors(324)
- Mahogany ParkPark
- Park (7)
- Robyn Lesley ParkPark
- Playground (3)
- Robyn Lesley Park PlaygroundPlayground
- Sports field
- Sports field
Karama
- Swimming pool (309)
Transport(28)
28 bus stops
Other(17)
- Sip n SaveAlcohol
37 Kalymnos Drive
- Bench (3)
- Bicycle Parking
- O'Loughlin Catholic CollegeCollege
- Common (6)
- Drinking water (2)
- Fitness Station
- Karama Community GardenGarden
- Lindall'sHairdresser
- Information
- Karama PlazaMall
37 Kalymnos Drive, Karama
- NT OptometristsOptician
- Parking (17)
- EG AustraliaPetrol station
37 Kalymnos Drive, Karama
- Holy Family Catholic ChurchPlace of worship
Karama
- Uniting ChurchPlace of worship
- Karama Post OfficePost office
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Mahogany ParkPark
- Robyn Lesley ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 9
- Parks (OSM)
- 9
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Places of worship
2 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Holy Family Catholic Church
Karama
- Uniting Church
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 1
- Nearest hospital
- Darwin Private Hospital (6.0 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- AmcalPharmacy
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 211
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 41.3
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 31° / 25°
- Rainfall
- 1,010 mm · ~90 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 31° / 24°
- Rainfall
- 491 mm · ~61 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 30° / 20°
- Rainfall
- 8 mm · ~1 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 32° / 24°
- Rainfall
- 171 mm · ~21 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via state planning hazard mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- NT Fire Protection and Fire Management zones — Bushfires NT / Department of Lands, Planning and Environment · current · Updated · Shapefile boundaries (CC BY 4.0)
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Solomon
- Member of Parliament
- Luke John GOSLING (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 78,702
- Turnout (2025)
- 79.3%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- -7.1 pp toward Coalition
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 48.7%Labor 51.3%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 5.3 km away).
Coalition 43.6%Labor 56.4%
5.1 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -7.7 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- Karama EastLabor 57.3% · Coalition 42.7% TPP (2025)0.5 km away
- KaramaLabor 53.4% · Coalition 46.6% TPP (2025)1.0 km away
- MalakLabor 57.8% · Coalition 42.2% TPP (2025)2.2 km away
- LeanyerLabor 54.7% · Coalition 45.3% TPP (2025)2.7 km away
- MoilLabor 52.5% · Coalition 47.5% TPP (2025)4.0 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
This suburb ranks highly for
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Darwin Council
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Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Northern Territory.