Larapinta
With household income at the 78.2nd percentile nationally, Larapinta sits noticeably above average for Alice Springs yet carries a median house price of around $397,000, roughly half of most capital city markets. The suburb's 10.5% vacancy rate is high by national standards, driven by a transient workforce across healthcare and public administration. Population grew 34.1% over the past decade, and the gentrification score registers as Active, with net internal migration adding 486 residents a year. At 14.5 square kilometres with 2,368 residents, density is modest, and 70.9% of dwellings are separate houses, giving the suburb a low-density character compared to most urban NT centres.
Population
2,368
Median Age
33.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,078/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$397K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At around $397,000, the estimated median house price is well below state capital medians, making Larapinta one of the more accessible entry points for buyers in Central Australia. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,733, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 19.3%, below the 30% stress threshold, meaning typical mortgage holders here carry a lighter debt burden than in most major cities. Separate houses account for 70.9% of dwellings, with semi-detached properties making up the remaining 29.1%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 52.8%, followed by two-bedroom at 21.9% and four-plus bedroom at 20.2%. Outright owners are a smaller share at 10.6%, while 44.8% hold mortgages, suggesting the buyer pool is predominantly working-age households rather than long-term settled owners.
For Buyers
At around $397,000, the estimated median house price is well below state capital medians, making Larapinta one of the more accessible entry points for buyers in Central Australia. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,733, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 19.3%, below the 30% stress threshold, meaning typical mortgage holders here carry a lighter debt burden than in most major cities. Separate houses account for 70.9% of dwellings, with semi-detached properties making up the remaining 29.1%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 52.8%, followed by two-bedroom at 21.9% and four-plus bedroom at 20.2%. Outright owners are a smaller share at 10.6%, while 44.8% hold mortgages, suggesting the buyer pool is predominantly working-age households rather than long-term settled owners.
For Investors
Renters make up 44.6% of occupied dwellings and weekly rent averages $350, modest in absolute terms but generating a rent-to-income ratio of 16.8%, which is below the 30% stress threshold and indicates tenants are not under pressure. The vacancy rate of 10.5% is higher than the national average, reflecting the transient nature of healthcare and public sector workers who cycle through Alice Springs. Net internal migration runs at 486 per year, providing a floor of demand, and population grew 34.1% over the past decade. With 0 development applications in the past 12 months, new supply is not a near-term threat to existing stock. The investment case turns on long-term population growth and government-sector employment stability rather than yield compression.
Demographics
The median age of 33 is 7.0 years below the national figure, making Larapinta distinctly younger than most Australian suburbs. University qualifications reach 28.5%, which is 1.6 points below the national rate, a modest gap compared to suburban averages elsewhere. Overseas-born residents account for 23.1%, which is 1.5 points above the national figure. English ancestry leads at 566 residents, followed by Irish (181) and Scottish (149), giving the suburb a strongly Anglo-Celtic character. Average household size is 2.7, which is 0.2 above national, consistent with the high share of couples with children: 875 couple-with-children families compared to 360 couples without children. The most common non-English languages are Aboriginal languages (85 speakers), Malayalam (26) and Punjabi (21), reflecting a small but varied immigrant base alongside the Indigenous community.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
70.9%
Houses
29.1%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is split almost evenly between mortgage holders (44.8%) and renters (44.6%), with outright ownership low at 10.6%, suggesting the suburb has not yet accumulated a base of long-settled, debt-free owners. This is consistent with the below-national gentrification score of 34 in the shift data, though the active gentrification signal puts it in motion. Separate houses dominate at 70.9% and semi-detached at 29.1%, with no recorded apartments. The most common configuration is three bedrooms at 52.8%, followed by two bedrooms at 21.9% and four-plus at 20.2%. The estimated median house price of $397,000 is significantly lower than eastern state capital medians, and rent at $350 per week produces a gross yield that is relatively competitive compared to higher-priced markets. Vacancy at 10.5% is the main caution for buyers and landlords alike.
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wk
$350
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$1,094
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.5%
Unoccupied
96
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
16.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
20.2%
Couples, no children
1,783
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates local employment at 27.1% of workers (209 people), followed by Public Administration at 20.1% (155) and Education at 14.7% (113). Construction accounts for 6.8% and Retail for 5.1%, rounding out a public-sector-heavy economy typical of Alice Springs regional suburbs. By occupation, Professionals lead at 264 workers, followed by Community and Personal Service (215) and Clerical/Administrative (169), with Managers at 121 and Labourers at 99. The unemployment rate is 5.0% and the full-time employment rate is 78.1%, both within typical ranges. Personal weekly income averages $1,094, placing household income in the 78.2nd percentile nationally, above the national average despite the relatively low median house price. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 5 places the suburb at the national midpoint for relative disadvantage.
Unemployment
3.8%
Labour Force
12,023
Unemployed
456
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
78.1%
Part-time
16.9%
Participation
65.3%
Employed
1,097
Occupations
Top Industries
University
28.5%
Postgraduate
8.4%
Born Overseas
23.1%
Dwellings
815
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high: 86.3% of residents drive to work, and only 1.1% use public transport, reflecting Alice Springs' limited transit network compared to any capital city. Walking and cycling account for 3.6%. The IRSAD decile of 6 places Larapinta in the upper-middle tier nationally for socio-economic advantage, and the IEO decile of 7 indicates moderately above-average education and occupation outcomes. At 4.9%, the share of residents needing daily assistance is in line with the national average for the age profile. Volunteering stands at 15.8%, above many comparable regional suburbs. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in available data, so families rely on institutions elsewhere in Alice Springs. The rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% is comfortable for tenants, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.3% is below the stress threshold.
Drive
86.3%
Public Transport
1.1%
Walk / Cycle
3.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.05%/yr
(+490 people/yr)
EstablishedLarapinta's population grew 34.1% over the past decade, well above the national average for established suburbs, and the gentrification stage has upgraded to Active, with signals including a population increase of 51% since 2011 and net internal migration of 486 residents per year. Overseas migration adds another 104 annually. Annual population growth is forecast at 2.05%, adding roughly 490 residents per year. The medium scenario projects the broader SA2 area growing from around 23,716 in 2026 to 26,169 by 2031. Rent grew 37.0% over the period while real incomes grew 16.1%, putting upward pressure on housing costs. The senior share rose 4.1 points and the young share fell 1.3 points, indicating a gradual aging trajectory even as overall growth remains strong. Affordability improved slightly from 46.6% in 2011 to 44.7% in 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+104
Net Internal / yr
+486
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +51% since 2011, Net internal migration +486/yr, Accelerating: 17% → 29%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Larapinta compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Larapinta a good suburb to live in?
Larapinta scores IRSAD decile 6 nationally, placing it in the upper-middle tier for socio-economic advantage. Household income sits in the 78.2nd percentile nationally. Affordable housing with a median around $397,000, a mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.3% and a rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% make it financially accessible, though the 10.5% vacancy rate reflects workforce transience.
What is the median house price in Larapinta?
The estimated median house price is around $397,000 (estimated from 2025 rent data). Weekly rent averages $350 and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,733, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 19.3%, well below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Larapinta?
No schools are recorded within the Larapinta suburb boundary in available data. Families rely on schools in surrounding Alice Springs suburbs. The local university qualification rate is 28.5%, which is 1.6 points below the national figure.
Is Larapinta safe?
Detailed crime rate data is not available for Larapinta in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores IRSAD decile 6, placing it above the national midpoint for socio-economic advantage, and 4.9% of residents (107 people) need daily assistance, broadly consistent with the national average for a suburb of this age profile.
Is Larapinta good for property investment?
The renter share of 44.6% and weekly rent of $350 give landlords a substantial tenant pool. Against the $397,000 median, that rent implies a gross yield above 4.5%, which is higher than most capital city suburbs. The vacancy rate of 10.5% is the main risk. Net internal migration of 486 per year and 34.1% population growth over the decade support medium-term demand.
How is Larapinta's population changing?
Population grew 34.1% over the past decade, and annual growth is forecast at 2.05%, adding around 490 residents per year. Net internal migration of 486 per year is the primary driver, with overseas migration adding 104 annually. The gentrification score is Active, with signals including 51% population growth since 2011.
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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