Wadeye (NT)

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Following an examination of ABS population statistics for the surrounding region and address confirmations completed by Districts since the Census, the estimated number of residents in the suburb of Wadeye stands at approximately 2,271 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 347 people (18.0%) from the 1,924 individuals recorded in the 2021 Census. Districts calculated this updated figure of 2,271 by reviewing the June 2025 release of ABS ERP data alongside address validation checks since the census date. A population of this size results in a density of 109 persons per square kilometer, which indicates substantial space per resident and capacity for prospective development. Wadeye's growth rate of 18.0% since the 2021 census outpaced both the national average (9.3%) and the state, positioning it as a leading growth area in the wider region. Demographic gains in the area were almost exclusively driven by natural increase, which served as the sole driver of population growth during the latest time frames.

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Wadeye features a diverse employment base that includes both white collar and blue collar jobs, with strong representation in essential services sectors. The area recorded an unemployment rate of 26.1% and experienced an estimated employment growth of 1.8% during the previous year, according to Districts aggregated statistical area data. By March 2026, there were 464 residents employed, while the unemployment rate stood at 20.2%, which exceeds the Regional NT rate of 5.9%. This difference suggests opportunities for enhancement. Workforce participation in Wadeye is notably lower than the regional average, with a rate of 35.4% compared to 69.9% in Regional NT. Census data indicates that only 1.4% of residents were working from home, a figure that should be interpreted with consideration of the effects of Covid-19 lockdown measures.

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Based on financial year 2023 ATO statistics aggregated by Districts, tax-paying residents in Wadeye earn less on average than the national benchmark. Taxpayers in Wadeye have a median income of $29,616 and an average income of $39,533, compared to $53,572 and $63,776 respectively in Regional NT. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 9.41% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes would be roughly $32,403 for the median and $43,253 for the average as of March 2026. Detailed analysis cannot be performed using Census income data. Income distribution figures show the largest segment of residents falls into the $0 - 399 bracket, accounting for 28.5% of the population (647 people), whereas the leading bracket for the wider region is $1,500 - 2,999 at . The high proportion of lower-income earners ( receiving less than /week) points to tight household budgets throughout the locality. Although housing costs are low, with residents keeping of their income, total disposable income sits in the rd percentile nationally.

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According to the most recent Census, the housing composition in Wadeye consisted of 72.7% separate houses and 27.4% alternative housing types (such as apartments, semi-detached properties, and other dwellings), compared to 75.6% houses and 24.5% other dwellings in Regional NT. The rate of home ownership in Wadeye was low at 1.1%, with the remaining properties being rented (98.9%) and none carrying a mortgage. The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was lower than the Regional NT average at none, while the median weekly rent was $50, compared to $1,733 and $150 in Regional NT. On a national scale, Wadeye's mortgage payments are significantly below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also much lower than the national figure of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 85.0%, consisting of 50.1% couples with children, 12.5% couples without children, and 20.8% single parent homes. The remaining 15.0% consist of non-family living arrangements, with single person households accounting for 11.9% and group households representing 3.3% of the total. The median household size of 4.8 individuals is larger than the Regional NT average of 3.1.

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Educational attainment in the area is lower than average, with university completion rates at 9.9%, which is well below the Australian rate of 30.4%. This highlights a clear need for educational support programs. Among residents, bachelor degrees are the most common at 6.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.3% and graduate diplomas at 1.2%. Technical and vocational training accounts for 15.3% of qualifications for individuals aged 15 and over, split between advanced diplomas (4.5%) and certificates (10.8%).

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Health indicators reflect relatively favorable outcomes for Wadeye residents, with an analysis of mortality and illness rates by Districts showing results that are generally consistent with national averages and showing standard rates of common health issues across age groups. However, the level of private health insurance coverage is low at approximately 43% of the population (~967 people). This is lower than the 51.6% coverage rate across Regional NT and the national average of 55.7%.

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Wadeye exhibits higher cultural diversity than average, with 2.6% of residents born outside Australia and 87.2% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 46.5% of the local population. The most prominent statistical divergence is in the Other category, which represents 14.1% of residents, significantly higher than the Regional NT average of 5.2%.

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Wadeye has a median age of 28 years, which is slightly lower than the Regional NT median of 31 and significantly below the national median of 38 years. Compared to Regional NT, Wadeye has a higher proportion of residents aged 15 - 24 (20.3%) but a lower share of people aged 65 - 74 (3.7%). The concentration of young people aged 15 - 24 is also above the national rate of 12.7%. Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age bracket has risen from 15.0% to 16.9% of the population, and the 55 to 64 group increased from 6.3% to 8.1%. Meanwhile, the to cohort decreased from to , and the to group fell from to . Looking toward demographic projections indicate notable changes in Wadeye's age profile. The to group is projected to rise by ( people), increasing from to . Conversely, decreases are projected for both the to and + cohorts.

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Wadeye currently has an estimated 143 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 86 children aged 0-2 and 57 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 7% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 0% by 2041 (to approximately 143 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 285. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 11.9 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.