East Arnhem
With a median age of 27 (13 years below the national figure), a 79.6% renter majority, and all four SEIFA indexes placing it in decile 1, East Arnhem sits at the extreme end of the socioeconomic spectrum compared to most Australian suburbs. Spread across 30,871 km2, the region records a population of just 1,194, with an average household size of 4.9, which is 2.4 above the national average. Over 554 residents speak an Australian Indigenous language, shaping a distinct community structure. The unemployment rate of 30.6% and a participation rate of 23.7% reflect an economy shaped by government services and education rather than private-sector employment.
Population
1,194
Median Age
27.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,224/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$305K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $305,000 places East Arnhem well below state and national medians, making entry costs low by any comparison. Every dwelling in the suburb is a separate house (100%), with 3-bedroom homes the most common at 38.9% of stock, followed by 2-bedroom at 30.6% and 4-plus bedroom at 25.5%. The outright ownership rate is 20.4%, while 79.6% of residents rent. Monthly mortgage repayments average around $2,500, but mortgage-to-income at 47.2% signals financial stress for those who do borrow, well above the 30% threshold. The low $35 weekly rent reflects a non-market social housing environment rather than a conventional buyer-driven market.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $305,000 places East Arnhem well below state and national medians, making entry costs low by any comparison. Every dwelling in the suburb is a separate house (100%), with 3-bedroom homes the most common at 38.9% of stock, followed by 2-bedroom at 30.6% and 4-plus bedroom at 25.5%. The outright ownership rate is 20.4%, while 79.6% of residents rent. Monthly mortgage repayments average around $2,500, but mortgage-to-income at 47.2% signals financial stress for those who do borrow, well above the 30% threshold. The low $35 weekly rent reflects a non-market social housing environment rather than a conventional buyer-driven market.
For Investors
At $35 per week, the median rent points to predominantly social or community housing rather than a private rental market. The vacancy rate of 36% is far above national norms and indicates limited private demand. No development applications were lodged in the past 12 months. The regional SA2 population declined 7% over a decade, with net internal migration of minus 78 annually. A gentrification score of 10 (not gentrifying) means capital growth is unlikely, making this suburb unsuitable for conventional residential investment compared to other NT markets.
Schools in East Arnhem iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Dhupuma Barker
T-10 · 58 students
Baniyala Garrangali School
T-11 · 22 students
Demographics
The median age of 27 is 13 years below the national median, and average household size of 4.9 is 2.4 above national, reflecting extended family arrangements. Overseas-born residents make up just 1%, which is 20.6 percentage points below national. Over 554 residents speak an Australian Indigenous language, making it one of the most linguistically distinctive communities nationally. University qualifications reach only 6.3%, which is 23.8 points below the national figure. Couples with children account for 374 of 1,069 family units, pointing to a young, family-centred population base.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
100.0%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Every dwelling in East Arnhem is a separate house, giving it a 100% detached rate with no apartments or semi-detached dwellings recorded. Bedroom distribution skews toward 3-bedroom (38.9%) and 2-bedroom (30.6%), with a notable share of 4-plus bedroom homes at 25.5%, consistent with the large average household size of 4.9. The tenure split is heavily skewed toward renting at 79.6%, compared to 20.4% who own outright. No mortgage-holders are recorded, which points to the housing being predominantly community or government-owned. At an estimated $305,000 median, prices are well below the NT state median and below national averages, though the mortgage stress flag is active at 47.2% of income.
Mortgage / mo
$2,500
Rent / wk
$35
HH Size
4.9
Personal Income / wk
$281
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
36.0%
Unoccupied
98
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
2.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
47.2% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
8.7%
Couples, no children
1,069
Total families
Economy & Employment
Education dominates at 41.5% of local employment, followed by Agriculture at 15.1% and Hospitality at 11.3%. Professionals account for 55 of 150 employed residents. The unemployment rate of 30.6% is substantially above national benchmarks, and a participation rate of 23.7% means 619 residents are not in the labour force. SEIFA places East Arnhem at decile 1 across all four indexes, the lowest tier nationally. Household weekly income averages $1,224, placing residents at the 26.7th percentile nationally.
Unemployment
21.2%
Labour Force
2,450
Unemployed
520
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.7%
Part-time
12.7%
Participation
23.7%
Employed
150
Occupations
Top Industries
University
6.3%
Postgraduate
1.6%
Born Overseas
1.0%
Dwellings
166
Transport to Work
Transport patterns are distinct: 60.9% of residents walked or cycled to work, far above national averages, while only 16.4% drove, well below any comparable national figure. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary. Crime data is unavailable, but the IRSAD decile 1 ranking places the community among the most disadvantaged nationally by service access. The need-assistance rate is 4.7% (52 residents). Rent-to-income is just 2.9%, below any national stress threshold, because the $35 weekly rent reflects subsidised community housing rather than a market rate.
Drive
16.4%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
60.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-0.01%/yr
(-1 people/yr)
EstablishedRegional population declined 7.0% over the past decade, with the current trend projecting a net loss of roughly 1 person per year. Net internal migration runs at minus 78 annually, offset by just 12 overseas arrivals. Medium forecasts hold the broader SA2 near 8,188 by 2031, essentially flat. Rent growth of 125% over the decade contrasts with a 6.1% real income decline, worsening affordability from 15.5% in 2011 to 30.2% in 2021, higher than many comparable NT communities. The gentrification score is 10 (not gentrifying), meaning no capital-driven neighbourhood change is underway.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+12
Net Internal / yr
-78
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
COVID recovered (-2% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How East Arnhem compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Arnhem a good suburb to live in?
East Arnhem offers very low housing costs, with an estimated $305,000 median house price well below national medians, and a strong sense of community with an average household size of 4.9. However, the unemployment rate is 30.6% and all four SEIFA indexes rank it in decile 1, the most disadvantaged tier nationally, so access to services and employment is limited.
What is the median house price in East Arnhem?
The estimated median house price is $305,000, based on 2025 rent data, which is well below the NT state median and national averages. Weekly rent averages $35, reflecting predominantly social or community housing. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,500, but mortgage-to-income at 47.2% signals stress for those who do purchase.
What schools are in East Arnhem?
No schools are recorded inside the East Arnhem suburb boundary in this dataset. Given the region's population of 1,194 spread across 30,871 km2, educational services are accessed through regional community facilities and Northern Territory government programs.
Is East Arnhem safe?
Specific crime statistics are not available for East Arnhem. As a contextual indicator, the suburb scores decile 1 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage nationally, and 4.7% of residents (52 people) need daily assistance. Service access and community support programs are a significant factor given the remote location.
Is East Arnhem good for property investment?
Conventional residential investment is challenging here. Weekly rent averages only $35, the vacancy rate is 36%, and no development applications were lodged in the past 12 months. The population declined 7% over the past decade and the gentrification score is 10 (not gentrifying), so capital growth and rental yield prospects are very limited compared to other NT markets.
How is East Arnhem's population changing?
The regional population has declined 7% over the past decade, and the current annual trend is minus 1 person per year. Net internal migration averages minus 78 per year, partially offset by 12 overseas arrivals. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 population near 8,188 by 2031, indicating essentially flat growth through to the end of the decade.
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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