Katherine South
With 68.4% of residents renting and a median house price of $333,000, Katherine South sits well below the national property market, making it one of the more affordable pockets in the Northern Territory. The suburb's 1,507 residents skew younger, with a median age of 33 that is 7 years below the national figure. Household income ranks at the 56.5th percentile nationally, reflecting a working population anchored in healthcare (26.6%), public administration (15.9%) and education (13.5%) rather than private-sector wealth. The vacancy rate of 13.8% and a turnover rate of 34.9% point to a transient workforce, consistent with a regional centre that draws government and health workers on rotational postings.
Population
1,507
Median Age
33.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,632/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$333K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At a $333,000 estimated median house price, Katherine South sits far below most comparable regional NT markets and well under the national median. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,325, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 18.8%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses make up 51.2% of dwellings, with semi-detached stock at 39.9% and apartments at just 6.3%. The most common dwelling size is 3 bedrooms at 41.0%, followed by 2 bedrooms at 31.4%. Only 13.3% of residents own outright, which is low compared to national norms, reflecting a renter-dominated market where 68.4% of households rent. Buyers face a relatively thin owner-occupier segment because the suburb's workforce-driven population tends to lease rather than purchase.
For Buyers
At a $333,000 estimated median house price, Katherine South sits far below most comparable regional NT markets and well under the national median. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,325, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 18.8%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses make up 51.2% of dwellings, with semi-detached stock at 39.9% and apartments at just 6.3%. The most common dwelling size is 3 bedrooms at 41.0%, followed by 2 bedrooms at 31.4%. Only 13.3% of residents own outright, which is low compared to national norms, reflecting a renter-dominated market where 68.4% of households rent. Buyers face a relatively thin owner-occupier segment because the suburb's workforce-driven population tends to lease rather than purchase.
For Investors
A renter share of 68.4% against a weekly rent of $320 provides landlords with a large tenant pool, but the 13.8% vacancy rate signals real supply overhang relative to demand. Gross yield on the $333,000 median, based on $320 weekly rent, sits near 5.0%, higher than many eastern-capital markets. Rent growth has been strong, up 47.5% over the measured period, driven by regional workforce demand rather than lifestyle migration. Net overseas migration adds 76 residents per year while internal migration removes 32, giving a modest positive net, but 10-year population growth was just 4.9%. Development activity is nil over the past 12 months, so new supply is not a near-term risk. The investment case depends on rental yield and regional employment stability rather than capital growth.
Schools in Katherine South iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Katherine South Primary School
T-6 · 180 students
Demographics
Katherine South skews young, with a median age of 33 that is 7 years below the national average. The overseas-born share is 20.9%, close to the national figure and 0.7 points below it. English and Ancestry Not Stated top the ancestry counts, followed by Irish and Scottish heritage. A small but notable share of residents speak Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages (44 speakers), alongside Nepali (22) and Punjabi (11), reflecting both the Indigenous presence in the Katherine region and a migrant workforce. University qualifications reach 24.3%, which is 5.8 points below national, consistent with a region that draws tradespeople and community-service workers alongside professionals. Average household size is 2.5, matching the national figure exactly.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
51.2%
Houses
39.9%
Townhouse
6.3%
Apartment
Tenure
The housing stock in Katherine South is almost entirely rentals, with 68.4% of residents renting compared to the national average. Owner-outright at 13.3% and mortgaged at 18.4% are both low, pointing to a market dominated by tenants rather than long-term property holders. Semi-detached homes are unusually prominent at 39.9%, nearly matching the 51.2% separate-house share, giving the suburb a denser feel than many NT localities. Three-bedroom homes account for 41.0% of dwellings and 2-bedroom homes 31.4%, while 4-plus bedroom properties are scarce at 10.7%. The rent-to-income ratio of 19.6% sits below the 30% stress threshold, meaning tenants are not under financial pressure despite the high renter prevalence. Vacancy at 13.8% is elevated, meaning tenants currently have negotiating power.
Mortgage / mo
$1,325
Rent / wk
$320
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$912
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
13.8%
Unoccupied
84
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.0%
Couples, no children
959
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates local employment at 26.6% of jobs (112 workers), more than double the share of public administration at 15.9% and education at 13.5%, reflecting Katherine's role as the regional health and government services hub for the Top End. Retail employs 10.0% and construction 7.1%. By occupation, Community and Personal Service workers (120) edge out Professionals (118) and Managers (85). The unemployment rate is 3.9%, near the national average, with a full-time employment rate of 77.6% among those working. Participation at 52.3% is low relative to the workforce-age skew, suggesting a meaningful population outside formal employment. SEIFA deciles tell a mixed story: the IEO (education and occupation) sits at decile 5, at the national median, while IRSD (disadvantage) scores decile 3, indicating above-average disadvantage compared to most Australian suburbs.
Unemployment
2.5%
Labour Force
8,022
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
77.6%
Part-time
18.5%
Participation
52.3%
Employed
599
Occupations
Top Industries
University
24.3%
Postgraduate
6.2%
Born Overseas
20.9%
Dwellings
504
Transport to Work
Private car use is high at 83.9% of commuters, reflecting Katherine's limited public transport network, a pattern common across NT regional centres. Walking and cycling account for 7.3% of trips, above what might be expected for a regional town. No schools are recorded inside the Katherine South boundary, so families use institutions in adjacent suburbs or central Katherine. The IRSAD decile of 4 places Katherine South below the national median in combined advantage and disadvantage, while the IER (economic resources) decile of 2 indicates constrained household wealth. Housing stress is low by the numbers: rent-to-income at 19.6% and mortgage-to-income at 18.8% are both well under the 30% stress threshold. Volunteering reaches 15.8% of residents, suggesting reasonable community engagement. 5.7% of residents (68 people) need daily assistance, above the national rate for a suburb of this age profile.
Drive
83.9%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
7.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.52%/yr
(+59 people/yr)
EstablishedKatherine South's population reached 1,507 in 2025 after 4.9% growth over the decade. Annual growth runs at 0.52%, adding roughly 59 persons per year to the suburb, while the broader Katherine area (LGA-level figures) sits at 11,269. The primary growth driver is overseas migration at a net 76 residents per year, which more than offsets net internal outflow of 32, meaning the suburb attracts international arrivals while locals leave for other regions. Medium forecasts project continuation of this pattern through 2031 with slow, steady gains. The gentrification score of 38 and stage of early signs indicate the suburb is beginning to see small income and demographic shifts, with real income growth of 15.0% over the period. The young-resident base is shrinking slightly, with the young share declining 2.7 points and the senior share rising 2.8 points over the decade.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+76
Net Internal / yr
-32
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Katherine South compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Katherine South a good suburb to live in?
Katherine South suits government, healthcare and education workers seeking affordable housing in a regional NT setting. The median house price of $333,000 is far below the national median and the rent-to-income ratio is 19.6%, well under the 30% stress level. The IRSAD decile of 4 places it below the national average for relative advantage, and the IRSD decile of 3 indicates above-average disadvantage, so amenity gaps compared to capital-city suburbs are real.
What is the median house price in Katherine South?
The median house price is estimated at $333,000 based on 2025 rental data. Weekly rents average $320 and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,325. The mortgage-to-income ratio is 18.8%, which is below the 30% stress threshold, making repayments manageable for dual-income households at the local income level.
What schools are in Katherine South?
No schools are recorded inside the Katherine South boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in central Katherine and surrounding suburbs. The local university qualification rate is 24.3%, which is 5.8 points below the national figure, consistent with a workforce-driven community rather than a high-education precinct.
Is Katherine South safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Katherine South in this dataset. As a proxy indicator, the IRSD decile of 3 places the suburb in the lower third of Australian suburbs by relative disadvantage, which is associated with higher crime exposure in regional NT centres. The 5.7% of residents needing daily assistance (68 people) and the 13.8% vacancy rate suggest a transient, rotating population rather than a settled residential base.
Is Katherine South good for property investment?
At $333,000 median and $320 weekly rent, the gross yield is approximately 5.0%, above most eastern-capital markets. Renter demand is strong at 68.4% of households. However, the 13.8% vacancy rate signals oversupply, and 10-year population growth was only 4.9%. Rent growth of 47.5% over the period shows past momentum, but capital growth prospects are constrained by the limited population base and regional workforce dependency.
How is Katherine South's population changing?
Katherine South has 1,507 residents and grew 4.9% over the past decade, adding about 59 persons per year at 0.52% annual growth. Overseas migration is the primary driver at net 76 per year, offsetting internal outflow of 32. The suburb's young share is declining slightly, down 2.7 points, while the senior share rose 2.8 points, signalling a gradual demographic shift toward older residents despite the below-national median age of 33.
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.
Explore Katherine South on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map