Ludmilla
Household income at the 77.1st percentile nationally stands out in a suburb where the median house price sits at just $406,000, creating an affordability gap that is rare in capital-city fringe locations. Ludmilla covers 3.95 km2 close to Darwin CBD with a population of 1,667 and a density of 422 people per km2. University qualifications reach 39.5% of residents, which is 9.4 points above the national average, yet the IRSD decile of 3 and IRSAD decile of 5 flag pockets of socioeconomic disadvantage alongside those well-paid households. The suburb's identity is shaped by an educated, professional workforce, predominantly detached housing (76% of dwellings), and a slow decline in population of around 36 people per year.
Population
1,667
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,056/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$406K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price of $406,000 is low relative to Australia's major capital suburbs, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.1% sits comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, giving buyers meaningful headroom. Detached houses dominate at 76% of dwellings, which is well above the national average for inner suburban areas, with 3-bedroom homes the largest share at 46.3% and 4-plus bedroom homes at 30.4%. Semi-detached options account for 14.9% and apartments just 9%, so the market is tilted toward family-sized detached stock rather than compact units. Outright owners make up 21.9% and mortgaged owners 34%, compared to 44.1% renting, suggesting a more fluid ownership base than many established suburbs. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,058 against the household weekly income of $2,056, making ownership accessible to dual-income households.
For Buyers
The median house price of $406,000 is low relative to Australia's major capital suburbs, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.1% sits comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, giving buyers meaningful headroom. Detached houses dominate at 76% of dwellings, which is well above the national average for inner suburban areas, with 3-bedroom homes the largest share at 46.3% and 4-plus bedroom homes at 30.4%. Semi-detached options account for 14.9% and apartments just 9%, so the market is tilted toward family-sized detached stock rather than compact units. Outright owners make up 21.9% and mortgaged owners 34%, compared to 44.1% renting, suggesting a more fluid ownership base than many established suburbs. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,058 against the household weekly income of $2,056, making ownership accessible to dual-income households.
For Investors
With 44.1% of residents renting and a weekly rent of $300, landlords face a tenant-heavy market, but the vacancy rate of 6.3% is elevated and warrants careful timing on acquisitions. The gross yield on a $406,000 property at $300 per week rent is roughly 3.8%, modest but above the near-zero yields of premium southern capitals. The migration balance complicates the outlook: average net internal migration runs at negative 39 people per year while overseas migration adds 37, leaving the suburb in a near-breakeven position that does not suggest strong organic rental demand growth. Development activity recorded zero applications in the past 12 months, meaning little new supply is entering the market. Rent grew 40.5% over the measured period, which is a meaningful tailwind for existing landlords, though the negative population trend nationally limits upside expectations.
Schools in Ludmilla iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Ludmilla Primary School
T-6 · 132 students
Demographics
The median age of 35 is 5.0 years below the national figure, reflecting a younger profile consistent with Darwin's transient professional workforce. Overseas-born residents make up 23.7%, which is 2.1 points above the national average, with Nepali (12 speakers) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages (55 speakers) notable alongside a predominantly English-speaking base. Ancestry is Anglo-Celtic led, with English (469), Irish (153) and Scottish (151) ancestry groups most common. University qualifications at 39.5% exceed the national average by 9.4 points, driven by the concentration of professionals and managers in the workforce. Average household size is 2.7, slightly above the national figure by 0.2, and couples with children account for a significant share of the 1,255 total families at 524, indicating a family-oriented residential base.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
76.0%
Houses
14.9%
Townhouse
9.0%
Apartment
Tenure
The housing stock skews heavily toward detached houses at 76%, higher than many comparable inner-suburban areas nationally, with semi-detached at 14.9% and apartments at only 9%. Bedroom distribution centres on 3-bedroom homes (46.3%) followed by 4-plus bedroom (30.4%), reinforcing the family-scale character. Tenure splits across outright ownership (21.9%), mortgaged (34.0%) and renting (44.1%), meaning renters outnumber owners with a mortgage, which is typical of Darwin's transient population compared to southern capital suburbs. The vacancy rate of 6.3% is above the typical healthy benchmark of 3%, pointing to softer demand conditions. Rent-to-income at 14.6% and mortgage-to-income at 23.1% both sit well below financial stress thresholds, suggesting residents are not severely burdened by housing costs relative to their incomes at the 77.1st household income percentile.
Mortgage / mo
$2,058
Rent / wk
$300
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$924
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.3%
Unoccupied
39
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
14.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
23.2%
Couples, no children
1,255
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public Administration leads all industries at 17.7% (105 workers), consistent with Darwin's role as the NT capital and administrative hub. Healthcare follows at 13.9% (82 workers) and Education at 11.7% (69 workers), with Professional and Technical services at 10.5% (62 workers) and Construction at 8.3% (49 workers). By occupation, Professionals are the largest group at 213, followed by Managers at 126 and Community and Personal Services workers at 114. The unemployment rate of 9.3% is above the national average, and the full-time employment rate of 72.1% among the employed suggests that those who do work are largely in stable full-time roles. The participation rate of 63.6% and 369 residents not in the labour force reflect a mix of retirees, students, and those between roles typical of a transient Darwin suburb. The SEIFA IEO decile of 6 places the suburb in the middle tier nationally for education and employment.
Unemployment
5.5%
Labour Force
1,547
Unemployed
85
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
72.1%
Part-time
18.6%
Participation
63.6%
Employed
781
Occupations
Top Industries
University
39.5%
Postgraduate
9.7%
Born Overseas
23.7%
Dwellings
576
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 83.5% of commuters driving, above national norms, while only 2.7% use public transport and 6.1% walk or cycle. This reflects Darwin's car-oriented urban layout rather than a livability deficit per se. The IRSAD decile of 5 places Ludmilla near the national median on the combined advantage and disadvantage index, while the IRSD decile of 3 signals relative disadvantage in some pockets, despite household incomes at the 77.1st percentile. The IEO decile of 6 indicates moderate advantage in education and employment. No schools are recorded within Ludmilla's 3.95 km2 boundary, so families depend on institutions in neighbouring suburbs. Volunteering participation at 17.2% is a positive social indicator, and only 4.0% of residents (64 people) need daily assistance, suggesting a relatively self-sufficient population.
Drive
83.5%
Public Transport
2.7%
Walk / Cycle
6.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-1.3%/yr
(-36 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation has been declining at a trend rate of 1.3% per year, equating to 36 fewer residents annually, and the 10-year change of negative 10.4% shows this is a structural shift rather than a short-term fluctuation. The medium forecast projects the Darwin Statistical Area population falling from roughly 2,766 in 2025 to 2,421 by 2031, a further 12.4% decline, driven by net internal outflow of 39 people per year partially offset by overseas arrivals of 37. Affordability has worsened from 22.3% in 2011 to 26.9% in 2021, and real incomes declined 5.4% over the decade, which explains why residents are leaving rather than staying. The gentrification score is 0 and the stage is classified as not gentrifying, so no uplift cycle is underway. The aging trajectory with a senior share delta of positive 4.7 points and young share falling 3.1 points further reduces the pool of buyers and renters over time.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+37
Net Internal / yr
-39
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Ludmilla compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ludmilla a good suburb to live in?
Ludmilla offers affordable housing with a $406,000 median house price and household income at the 77.1st percentile nationally, creating a low mortgage stress ratio of 23.1%. The IRSAD decile of 5 sits near the national midpoint and university qualifications at 39.5% are 9.4 points above national. The main drawbacks are a 9.3% unemployment rate and declining population trend.
What is the median house price in Ludmilla?
The median house price in Ludmilla is $406,000, estimated from 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $300 and monthly mortgage repayments average $2,058, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.1%, well below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Ludmilla?
No schools are recorded within Ludmilla's 3.95 km2 boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Darwin suburbs. Despite this, local educational attainment is high, with 39.5% of residents holding university qualifications, which is 9.4 points above the national average.
Is Ludmilla safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Ludmilla in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the IRSD decile of 3 signals some relative disadvantage compared to national averages, though household incomes sit at the 77.1st percentile nationally and only 4.0% of the 1,667 residents need daily assistance.
Is Ludmilla good for property investment?
Rent of $300 per week against a $406,000 median gives a gross yield near 3.8%, higher than many premium southern capital suburbs. However, the vacancy rate of 6.3% is elevated and net annual population change is negative 36 people, which limits rental demand growth. Rent grew 40.5% over the decade, benefiting existing landlords.
How is Ludmilla's population changing?
Population is declining at 1.3% per year, or around 36 residents annually, with a 10-year fall of 10.4%. Medium forecasts project further decline from 2,766 in 2025 to 2,421 by 2031. Net internal migration is negative 39 per year, partially offset by overseas arrivals of 37. The suburb is aging, with the senior share rising 4.7 points over the decade.
What industries employ people in Ludmilla?
Public Administration is the largest employer at 17.7% of workers (105 people), reflecting Darwin's capital city role. Healthcare employs 13.9% (82 workers), Education 11.7% (69), and Professional and Technical services 10.5% (62). The unemployment rate is 9.3%, above national averages, though 72.1% of those employed work full time.
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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