Girraween
Household income in Girraween sits at the 97.1st percentile nationally, yet the median house price is estimated at $524,000, a combination that makes it one of the most income-affordable entry points in the NT. The suburb is 23.6 km2 with a population of 1,668 and a density of 70.7 people per km2, far below the national urban average. Every dwelling here is a separate house, a rate of 100%, and 42% have 4 or more bedrooms, pointing to a family-oriented, low-density character. The mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 19.3%, well below the 30% stress threshold that higher-cost markets routinely breach.
Population
1,668
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,992/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$524K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At an estimated $524,000, the median house price sits at a level that is low relative to the household income rank of the 97.1st percentile nationally, giving buyers an unusually favourable price-to-income ratio. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,500, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.3% is comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. All dwellings are separate houses, so there is no apartment or semi-detached competition to navigate. The bedroom profile skews large: 42% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms and 38.9% have 3 bedrooms, which suits families. Ownership is strong, with 26.3% owning outright and 60.6% carrying a mortgage, leaving renters at just 13.1%, lower than the national average.
For Buyers
At an estimated $524,000, the median house price sits at a level that is low relative to the household income rank of the 97.1st percentile nationally, giving buyers an unusually favourable price-to-income ratio. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,500, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.3% is comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. All dwellings are separate houses, so there is no apartment or semi-detached competition to navigate. The bedroom profile skews large: 42% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms and 38.9% have 3 bedrooms, which suits families. Ownership is strong, with 26.3% owning outright and 60.6% carrying a mortgage, leaving renters at just 13.1%, lower than the national average.
For Investors
A rental vacancy rate of 12.3% is the key caution for investors, sitting well above the 3% threshold considered healthy in most Australian markets. Weekly rent is $420 against a $524,000 median, implying a gross yield near 4.2%, reasonable by NT standards but undermined by the vacancy figure. The renter share is only 13.1%, which means the tenant pool is shallow relative to the total housing stock. Zero development applications in the past 12 months indicate no new supply pressure, which could support prices over time. The high owner-occupier rate of 86.9% combined with incomes at the 97.1st percentile nationally means demand is mainly owner-driven rather than rental-driven.
Schools in Girraween iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Girraween Primary School
T-6 · 312 students
Demographics
The median age of 41 is 1.0 year above the national figure, consistent with a settled, family-focused population. Overseas-born residents account for 11.6%, which is 10.0 percentage points below the national average, giving the suburb a predominantly Australian-born character. English ancestry is the largest group at 621 residents, followed by Irish at 186 and Scottish at 185. University qualifications reach 17.4% of residents, which is 12.7 percentage points below the national rate, reflecting an occupational base weighted toward trade and public administration. Average household size of 3.1 is 0.6 above the national figure, consistent with the large-house, couples-with-children profile, where 627 of 1,331 families have children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
100.0%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
The housing stock is entirely separate houses, a rate of 100% compared to the national average where apartments and semi-detached dwellings make up a substantial share. Bedrooms skew toward larger homes: 42% have 4 or more bedrooms and 38.9% have 3, while only 7.5% have 0 to 1 bedroom. Tenure splits as 26.3% owned outright, 60.6% mortgaged and 13.1% renting, with the mortgage belt dominant. The vacancy rate of 12.3% is notably elevated, suggesting some investment properties sit empty. Rent-to-income at 14.0% is low compared to most capital cities, and mortgage-to-income at 19.3% is below the national stress threshold, making this a relatively affordable-to-hold suburb for current owners.
Mortgage / mo
$2,500
Rent / wk
$420
HH Size
3.1
Personal Income / wk
$1,256
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
12.3%
Unoccupied
70
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
14.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.3%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.5%
Couples, no children
1,331
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public Administration leads employment at 20.4% of workers, a share that is typical for NT suburbs close to Darwin where government services dominate. Construction follows at 15.1%, reflecting the territory's continued infrastructure activity. Education accounts for 9.9% and Healthcare for 9.3%, rounding out a public-sector-weighted workforce. By occupation, Managers are the largest group at 166 workers, followed by Clerical and Admin at 162 and Professionals at 139, pointing to a white-collar and supervisory workforce rather than primarily trades. The full-time employment rate is 74.4% and unemployment sits at 2.0%, well below the national average, with a participation rate of 68.4%.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
74.4%
Part-time
23.6%
Participation
68.4%
Employed
896
Occupations
Top Industries
University
17.4%
Postgraduate
3.5%
Born Overseas
11.6%
Dwellings
499
Transport to Work
Car dependency is pronounced: 91.3% of residents drive to work, compared to the national average where public transport and active travel take a larger share. Public transport use is 0.8% and walking or cycling accounts for 2.0%, consistent with a low-density suburb of 70.7 people per km2. Crime data is not available for Girraween in this dataset, so direct comparison is not possible. Volunteering stands at 16.6% and only 3.5% of residents, 55 people, need daily assistance, both indicators of a self-sufficient community. Rent-to-income at 14.0% keeps housing costs comfortable for the 13.1% who rent, and the 3.1 average household size reflects families with sufficient space in the 100% detached housing stock.
Drive
91.3%
Public Transport
0.8%
Walk / Cycle
2.0%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Girraween compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Girraween a good suburb to live in?
Girraween suits families and owner-occupiers well. Household income sits at the 97.1st percentile nationally, all dwellings are separate houses, and 42% have 4 or more bedrooms. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.3% is below the 30% stress threshold. The main trade-offs are high car dependency at 91.3% and a vacancy rate of 12.3%.
What is the median house price in Girraween?
The median house price is estimated at $524,000 based on 2025 rental data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,500, and rent averages $420 per week. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.3% is well below the national stress benchmark, making it more affordable to service than many other NT suburbs.
What schools are in Girraween?
No schools are recorded within the Girraween suburb boundary in this dataset. Families typically use schools in neighbouring NT suburbs. The local university qualification rate is 17.4%, which is 12.7 percentage points below the national average, reflecting an occupational base weighted toward trade and public administration rather than knowledge sectors.
Is Girraween safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Girraween in this dataset. As indirect indicators, unemployment is 2.0%, well below the national average, and only 3.5% of the 1,668 residents need daily assistance. The 83.3% of residents who stayed in place suggests a stable population rather than high transience associated with disadvantage.
Is Girraween good for property investment?
The investment case is mixed. Weekly rent of $420 against a $524,000 median gives a gross yield near 4.2%, reasonable by NT standards. However, the 12.3% vacancy rate is well above the 3% healthy threshold, and the renter share is only 13.1%, leaving a shallow tenant pool. Zero development applications in the past 12 months means no new supply competition.
How is Girraween's population changing?
Girraween's population is 1,668 across 23.6 km2. Residential turnover is 16.7%, with 83.3% of residents staying in place, indicating stability rather than rapid change. No development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, suggesting no near-term supply additions. The high income base at the 97.1st percentile nationally supports price floors.
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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