Coconut Grove
Nearly two-thirds of Coconut Grove residents rent rather than own, placing this compact Darwin suburb firmly in renter-majority territory compared to the national average. At 1.42 km2 with a population around 3,100, it packs 2,030 people per km2 into a mix that is 46.5% overseas-born, which is 24.9 percentage points above the national figure. The median house price sits near $353,000, well below Darwin's broader market, and household income at the 49.2nd percentile nationally is roughly at the middle. Healthcare employs 25% of working residents, almost double the typical share nationally, which reflects proximity to Royal Darwin Hospital and drives the suburb's transient, professional-renter character.
Population
2,892
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,549/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$353K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $353,000 makes Coconut Grove one of the more affordable entry points in greater Darwin. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,600, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.9%, below the 30% stress threshold, so purchase costs are manageable relative to local incomes. The dwelling stock skews away from separate houses: only 23.7% are detached homes, while semi-detached and terrace dwellings make up 45.9% and apartments 30.1%. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 55.3%, meaning buyers looking for three or four bedrooms face a narrower choice. Outright owners account for just 14.9% of households compared to 22.5% on mortgages, a sign that genuine owner-occupier wealth is thin on the ground relative to most Australian suburbs.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $353,000 makes Coconut Grove one of the more affordable entry points in greater Darwin. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,600, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.9%, below the 30% stress threshold, so purchase costs are manageable relative to local incomes. The dwelling stock skews away from separate houses: only 23.7% are detached homes, while semi-detached and terrace dwellings make up 45.9% and apartments 30.1%. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 55.3%, meaning buyers looking for three or four bedrooms face a narrower choice. Outright owners account for just 14.9% of households compared to 22.5% on mortgages, a sign that genuine owner-occupier wealth is thin on the ground relative to most Australian suburbs.
For Investors
A 62.6% renter share is among the higher figures nationally, giving landlords a large and relatively stable tenant pool. Weekly rent of $300 against a $353,000 median implies a gross yield around 4.4%, which is above the levels typical in southern capitals. The offsetting risk is a 10.4% vacancy rate, well above a healthy 3% threshold, signalling genuine excess supply in the rental market. Net internal migration runs at minus 105 residents a year, with overseas arrivals of only 92 partially compensating, so the population base is slowly eroding. Development activity in the past 12 months recorded 0 applications, meaning no new supply pressure from greenfield construction. The suburb is classified as not gentrifying, with a gentrification score of 0, so capital growth expectations should be modest.
Demographics
The median age of 35 is 5 years below the national average of 40, reflecting a younger, transient workforce rather than an established family base. Overseas-born residents at 46.5% run 24.9 percentage points above national, and the top non-English languages are Nepali (125 speakers), Punjabi (50) and Greek (49), pointing to a South Asian and Southeast Asian migrant cohort. University qualifications reach 43.4%, which is 13.3 percentage points above national, consistent with the Healthcare and Public Administration workforce concentration. Average household size of 2.2 is 0.3 below national, and 32.6% of families are couples without children. The annual turnover rate of 35.4% confirms high mobility, with more than one in three residents having moved in the prior year.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
23.7%
Houses
45.9%
Townhouse
30.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits heavily toward renting: 62.6% rent, 22.5% carry a mortgage and only 14.9% own outright. This is a renter-majority suburb by a wide margin compared to Australian norms. The stock is dominated by semi-detached and terrace dwellings at 45.9%, with apartments at 30.1% and separate houses at just 23.7%. Two-bedroom dwellings account for 55.3% of all homes, three-bedroom 19.3% and four-plus just 10.4%, so the market is geared toward smaller households and couples. The estimated median house price of $353,000 is well below national medians in most major cities. Rent-to-income at 19.4% and mortgage-to-income at 23.9% both sit below stress thresholds, meaning housing costs are relatively affordable for current residents despite the high vacancy rate of 10.4%.
Mortgage / mo
$1,600
Rent / wk
$300
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$913
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.4%
Unoccupied
141
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
32.6%
Couples, no children
1,840
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant employer at 25% of workers (274 people), followed by Public Administration at 13.6% (149) and Hospitality at 9.5% (104). Education contributes 9% and Retail 7.2%, making Coconut Grove heavily oriented toward public sector and service industries typical of a territory capital suburb. By occupation, Professionals lead with 373 workers, followed by Community and Personal Services (254), Clerical/Admin (177) and Managers (157). The unemployment rate of 4.5% sits modestly above the national average, and the full-time employment rate of 68.3% is healthy. The IRSD decile of 3 indicates meaningful relative disadvantage compared to most Australian suburbs, while the IEO decile of 6 reflects a higher education and occupation mix than the disadvantage score alone would suggest, a divergence driven by the healthcare professional tenant population.
Unemployment
5.9%
Labour Force
1,792
Unemployed
105
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
68.3%
Part-time
27.2%
Participation
61.0%
Employed
1,436
Occupations
Top Industries
University
43.4%
Postgraduate
16.3%
Born Overseas
46.5%
Dwellings
1,206
Transport to Work
Car travel is the dominant mode at 78.7% of commuters, above the national average, which reflects Darwin's limited public transport network. Public transport accounts for just 7.3% of trips, while walking and cycling make up 6.8%, modest but not negligible given the tropical climate. No schools are recorded inside the Coconut Grove boundary, so families rely on institutions in adjacent Darwin suburbs. The IRSAD decile of 4 places the suburb in the lower-middle advantage tier nationally, with a rent-to-income ratio of 19.4% keeping housing costs manageable. The volunteering rate of 16.9% suggests reasonable community engagement. About 6% of residents (157 people) need daily assistance, slightly above national norms, and the aging trajectory with senior share rising 3.6 points over the decade may increase this over time.
Drive
78.7%
Public Transport
7.3%
Walk / Cycle
6.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.23%/yr
(+7 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth over the past decade was just 1.6%, or around 7 additional residents per year, classifying Coconut Grove as slow-growth. The suburb experienced a COVID dip of 3.7% from a pre-COVID high of 3,163, and recovery remains incomplete at only 1.7% above the COVID low. Net internal migration runs at minus 105 per year, partially offset by overseas arrivals of 92, confirming that the suburb retains residents primarily through international rather than domestic movement. Medium forecasts project the population reaching approximately 3,200 by 2031, a modest increase. Rents fell 5.7% in real terms over the period and real income growth came in at minus 6.5%, signals that affordability improved from the demand side but purchasing power also declined. The suburb is rated not gentrifying, with no upward pressure on socioeconomic profile.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+92
Net Internal / yr
-105
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -105/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Coconut Grove compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coconut Grove a good suburb to live in?
Coconut Grove suits renters and young professionals, particularly those working at Royal Darwin Hospital, given Healthcare employs 25% of local workers. University qualifications are 13.3 percentage points above national average. The IRSAD decile of 4 places it in the lower-middle advantage tier, with a high turnover rate of 35.4% reflecting its transient character rather than poor liveability.
What is the median house price in Coconut Grove?
The estimated median house price is $353,000, well below southern capital city medians. Weekly rent averages $300 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,600. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.9% is below the 30% stress threshold, making purchase costs relatively manageable for local incomes.
What schools are in Coconut Grove?
No schools are recorded inside the Coconut Grove boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Darwin suburbs. Despite this, the local population is highly educated, with 43.4% holding university qualifications, which is 13.3 percentage points above the national figure.
Is Coconut Grove safe?
Detailed suburb-level crime statistics are not available in this dataset for Coconut Grove. As an indirect indicator, the IRSD decile of 3 suggests moderate relative disadvantage compared to the national average, which is worth factoring into any assessment. The 6% rate of residents needing daily assistance is close to national norms.
Is Coconut Grove good for property investment?
A 62.6% renter share and weekly rent of $300 against a $353,000 median imply a gross yield around 4.4%, above southern capital averages. However, a 10.4% vacancy rate signals oversupply, and net internal outflow of 105 people annually limits demand growth. Investors should price in higher vacancy periods rather than assuming consistent tenancy.
How is Coconut Grove's population changing?
Population grew just 1.6% over the past decade, adding roughly 7 people per year. The suburb sits below its pre-COVID peak of 3,163 after a 3.7% dip, with recovery only 1.7% above the COVID low. Net internal outflow of 105 people annually is partially offset by 92 overseas arrivals, keeping the suburb in slow, migration-dependent growth.
What languages are spoken in Coconut Grove?
About 46.5% of residents were born overseas, which is 24.9 percentage points above the national figure. Nepali is the most common non-English language with 125 speakers, followed by Punjabi (50) and Greek (49), reflecting a significant South Asian and Southeast Asian presence in the suburb.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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