Leanyer (NT)

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According to census updates from the ABS for the region and new address checks by Districts, the suburb of Leanyer has a population estimated at 5,119 as of May 2026. This is a rise of 522 people (11.4%) relative to the 2021 Census, which recorded 4,597 people. The shift is calculated from the resident population of 5,119, determined by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP data release and subsequent address checks. The suburb of Leanyer has a density of 2,047 persons per square kilometer, which ranks above the typical figure for locations across the country. The 11.4% expansion rate since the 2021 census outpaced the national figure of 9.3%, placing it among the faster-growing spots in the territory. This expansion was mostly driven by arrivals from overseas, who made up about 55% of the overall population increases recently.

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The local workforce is characterized by high education levels and strong representation in key service industries, with an unemployment rate of 1.6% and an estimated annual job growth rate of 0.7% compiled by Districts. In March 2026, 2,887 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 1.8% lower than the 3.5% average for Greater Darwin, while workforce participation aligned closely with the metropolitan rate of 72.7%. Census records indicate that a small proportion of 3.8% of workers performed their duties from home, though this may have been influenced by COVID-19 lockdowns.

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According to ATO statistics compiled by Districts for the 2023 financial year, Leanyer is a very high-income suburb relative to the rest of the nation. The median taxpayer income is $70,155 and the average is $78,210, compared to Greater Darwin averages of $66,956 and $77,199 respectively. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index increase of 9.41% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would stand at approximately $76,757 for the median and $85,570 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census confirms that household, family, and individual incomes are all positioned highly, placing in the 79th to 85th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 37.5% of residents (1,919 individuals) earn between $1,500 and mirroring the regional pattern of in this bracket. A significant proportion of top earners, with receiving more than weekly, highlights substantial financial capacity. Housing costs consume of income, while strong earnings put residents in the th percentile for disposable income, and the SEIFA score ranks the area in the th decile.

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At the most recent Census, the mix of homes in Leanyer consisted of 71.1% detached houses and 29.0% alternative housing formats such as semi-detached options and apartments, compared to 63.5% houses and 36.5% other dwellings across the Darwin metro region. Home ownership rates in the suburb were considerably higher than the metropolitan average at 25.7%, with remaining properties split between mortgaged homes (41.0%) and rented options (33.3%). The median monthly mortgage payment was lower than the metropolitan median at $2,000, while the weekly rent median was $400, compared to regional figures of $2,100 and $385 respectively. By national standards, Leanyer's mortgage commitments exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are higher than the national median of $375.

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Families make up 74.5% of all households in the area, consisting of couples with children at 37.1%, couples without children at 26.5%, and single parents at 9.9%. The remaining 25.5% are non-family households, which include single-person households at 21.0% and shared houses at 4.4%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is slightly larger than the Greater Darwin average of 2.6.

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The proportion of residents holding university degrees in Leanyer sits at 32.1% of those aged 15+, which is higher than the Northern Territory average of 27.3%, showing solid educational attainment. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 21.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 7.0% and graduate diplomas at 3.6%. Vocational and technical training is also highly prevalent, with 34.1% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.7% and certificates at 23.4%.

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Public transport infrastructure includes 17 active stops throughout Leanyer, offering various bus services. These stops are connected to 50 separate routes, which provide a combined 2,686 passenger journeys each week. Transport access is rated favorably, with residents living an average of 259 meters from their nearest stop. As the area is predominantly residential, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private vehicles remaining the primary choice for 91% of trips. Households own an average of 1.6 vehicles. A low proportion of 3.8% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic restrictions.

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Health outcomes in Leanyer are above average based on Districts analysis of death rates and chronic illness rates, which show a low incidence of common health issues in both youth and older age groups, and private medical insurance coverage is very high, encompassing roughly 58% of the population (~2,951 people).

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Leanyer shows high levels of multiculturalism, with 33.8% of the population born outside Australia and 32.7% using a language other than English in their households. Christianity is the main religious affiliation, representing 46.6% of the population. A notable difference is seen in Buddhism, which accounts for 4.1% of the population compared to the Greater Darwin average of 3.3%.

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The median age in the suburb of Leanyer is 37 years, which is older than the Greater Darwin average of 34 and close to the national figure of 38 years. Compared to Greater Darwin, the suburb of Leanyer has a larger proportion of residents aged 65 to 74 (9.6%) but a smaller share of young adults aged 25 to 34 (14.8%). Between the 2021 Census and the latest estimates, the 35 to 44 age bracket increased from 14.9% to 16.8% of the population, while the 55 to 64 bracket fell from 12.8% to 10.9%. Looking forward to 2041, demographic forecasts project that the 45 to 54 cohort will grow by 37%, adding residents to reach a total of . Meanwhile, the number of residents aged to is expected to drop by .

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Leanyer currently has an estimated 348 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 208 children aged 0-2 and 139 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 15% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 5% by 2041 (to approximately 367 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 528. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 12.6 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.