Holtze
With 85.1% of residents being male, Holtze is one of the most gender-skewed suburbs in Australia, a direct consequence of its role as a Defence-adjacent community south of Darwin. Public administration employs 81.5% of the local workforce, far above any comparable national figure. The median age of 31 sits 9 years below the national median, reflecting the transient, working-age military and government cohort that shapes daily life here. Property values, at an estimated median of $259,000, are well below NT and national averages, though housing stock leans heavily toward smaller dwellings, with 61.3% classified as 0-1 bedroom units consistent with institutional or barracks-style accommodation.
Population
1,940
Median Age
31.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,468/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$259K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At an estimated median house price of $259,000, Holtze is significantly more affordable than Darwin's broader metropolitan market. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,122, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.7%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold and lower than most Australian suburbs. However, only 34.0% of dwellings are separate houses and 61.3% are 0-1 bedroom units, so the choice of conventional family homes is limited. The high outright ownership rate of 47.1%, compared to a national average closer to 30%, suggests a cohort of longer-term residents who have paid down their mortgages, sitting alongside a 40.2% renter share driven by the transient Defence workforce.
For Buyers
At an estimated median house price of $259,000, Holtze is significantly more affordable than Darwin's broader metropolitan market. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,122, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.7%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold and lower than most Australian suburbs. However, only 34.0% of dwellings are separate houses and 61.3% are 0-1 bedroom units, so the choice of conventional family homes is limited. The high outright ownership rate of 47.1%, compared to a national average closer to 30%, suggests a cohort of longer-term residents who have paid down their mortgages, sitting alongside a 40.2% renter share driven by the transient Defence workforce.
For Investors
The rental market in Holtze is underpinned by a steady government and Defence workforce that generates reliable demand. Weekly rent averages $230, and with a vacancy rate of 2.8%, supply is tight relative to the 40.2% renter share. Annual population growth tracks at 1.37%, adding roughly 83 residents a year, and net internal and overseas migration each contribute around 35 and 32 persons annually. Rent grew 14.8% over the measurement period, above many regional NT benchmarks. The main risk is the Defence-dependent economy: a base restructure or drawdown can shift demand quickly. Development activity recorded 0 applications in the past 12 months, indicating no new supply pressure in the near term.
Demographics
The demographics here diverge sharply from the national profile. The 85.1% male share and median age of 31, which is 9 years below the national median, both reflect a Defence and government workforce rather than a conventional residential community. Overseas-born residents make up just 8.1%, which is 13.5 percentage points below the national figure, consistent with a locally recruited public sector base. University qualifications are held by 21.7% of residents, 8.4 points below the national rate, while the largest occupation group is Community and Personal services at 288 workers, followed by Machinery and Drivers at 69. Average household size is 2.0, half a person below the national average, pointing to fewer family households and more single-person or couple arrangements.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
34.0%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Holtze's housing profile is unusual by any Australian standard. Some 61.3% of dwellings are 0-1 bedroom units, likely reflecting institutional and on-base accommodation, while only 34.0% are separate houses and 19.4% have 4 or more bedrooms. The tenure split shows 47.1% owned outright, 12.6% with a mortgage and 40.2% renting, so outright owners substantially outnumber mortgagors. This pattern is consistent with a dual population: long-tenured residents who have paid off their homes, and a rotating group of renters on Defence or government postings. The median house price is estimated at $259,000, well below NT and national medians, and rent-to-income sits at 15.7%, showing no rental stress by conventional measures.
Mortgage / mo
$1,122
Rent / wk
$230
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$1,308
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
2.8%
Unoccupied
3
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
15.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.7%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
52.3%
Couples, no children
151
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public administration dominates the local economy at 81.5% of employed residents, a concentration that is extraordinary even by NT standards where government employment is elevated. Hospitality and Healthcare each account for 3.0%, with Construction at 2.0% and Manufacturing at 1.7%. Unemployment is just 0.8% and the full-time employment rate reaches 93.8%, both reflecting the near-total reliance on a guaranteed-employment government sector. Weekly personal income averages $1,308 and household income $1,468, placing the suburb in the 45.1st income percentile nationally despite the tight labour market. The SEIFA IEO decile of 7 indicates moderate-to-high educational and occupational advantage, above the national midpoint, while the IRSD decile of 6 reflects limited but present disadvantage signals.
Unemployment
6.1%
Labour Force
3,301
Unemployed
201
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
93.8%
Part-time
5.4%
Participation
31.6%
Employed
594
Occupations
Top Industries
University
21.7%
Postgraduate
3.1%
Born Overseas
8.1%
Dwellings
94
Transport to Work
Car dependency is the norm in Holtze, with 59.3% of residents driving to work, but the suburb stands out for its 34.9% walk or cycle share, well above the national average and likely reflecting on-base or short-distance commuting patterns. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families depend on facilities in surrounding Darwin suburbs. Crime data is not available for Holtze. On disadvantage measures, the IRSAD decile of 7 places the suburb above the national midpoint for advantage. Housing stress is low: rent-to-income at 15.7% and mortgage-to-income at 17.7% are both well below stress thresholds. With 1.8% of residents needing daily assistance and a young median age of 31, the community is predominantly able-bodied and working-age.
Drive
59.3%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
34.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.37%/yr
(+83 people/yr)
EstablishedHoltze has grown 16.9% over the past decade, driven by a roughly even split of internal migration (averaging 35 net arrivals annually) and overseas migration (averaging 32). Annual population growth is running at 1.37%, or about 83 persons per year, projecting the suburb from an estimated 6,047 in 2025 toward 6,401 by 2031 under medium-trend assumptions. The gentrification score of 22 places Holtze at the early-signs stage, supported by population growing 22% since 2011 and improving affordability ratios. Affordability improved from 42.8% in 2011 to 38.0% in 2021, a positive trend. The high residential turnover of 59.3% reflects Defence posting cycles rather than housing market churn, meaning underlying demand stays relatively stable even as individual residents change.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+32
Net Internal / yr
+35
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +22% since 2011, Accelerating: -7% → 31%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Holtze compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Holtze a good suburb to live in?
Holtze suits people employed in the Defence or public administration sector. Housing costs are low, with a median house price around $259,000 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of just 17.7%. The IRSAD decile of 7 places it above the national midpoint for advantage, though there are no schools inside the suburb and it is heavily male-skewed at 85.1%.
What is the median house price in Holtze?
The median house price is estimated at $259,000 based on 2025 rental data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,122 and weekly rent averages $230, placing rent-to-income at 15.7%, well below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Holtze?
No schools are recorded within the Holtze suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Darwin-area suburbs. The university qualification rate locally is 21.7%, which is 8.4 percentage points below the national average.
Is Holtze safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Holtze. As a proxy measure, the suburb scores IRSAD decile 7, above the national midpoint for socioeconomic advantage, and unemployment is just 0.8%. Only 1.8% of the 1,940 residents need daily assistance, consistent with a low-disadvantage working-age community.
Is Holtze good for property investment?
Holtze offers a 40.2% renter share, a vacancy rate of 2.8% and rent growth of 14.8% over the measured period, which are solid indicators. The Defence and government employer base provides stable rental demand. The main risk is concentration: 81.5% of local employment is public administration, so any base restructuring would affect demand directly. Annual population growth of 1.37% supports a gradual price floor.
How is Holtze's population changing?
The population grew 16.9% over the past decade and is currently around 6,047. Annual growth runs at 1.37%, adding roughly 83 people per year, with roughly equal contributions from internal migration (net 35 per year) and overseas migration (net 32 per year). Medium forecasts project the population reaching 6,401 by 2031.
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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