Malak
Packed into just 1.75 square kilometres at a density of 1,722 residents per km2, Malak combines relative affordability with a workforce skewed toward public-sector employment. The median house price sits at $394,000, well below the national median for detached stock, yet 42.4% of households rent rather than own, a tenure profile more typical of inner cities than suburban Darwin. Household income lands in the 58th percentile nationally, modest rather than poor. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 3 confirms some pockets of disadvantage, though the IEO score of 5 suggests education and occupation outcomes are closer to national average than raw income implies.
Population
3,013
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,676/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$394K
Estimated from rent (2025)
At $394,000, the estimated median house price in Malak sits below the national median for comparable detached product, making it one of Darwin's more accessible entry points. Separate houses account for 75.2% of the stock, so buyers get genuine land-and-house options rather than apartment exposure. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 51.5%, with four-plus bedrooms at 24.1%, meaning family-sized dwellings are the norm. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.9%, which stays below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners represent just 21.5% compared to 36.1% on mortgages, indicating the suburb is still in an active buying phase rather than settled long-term ownership.
For Buyers
At $394,000, the estimated median house price in Malak sits below the national median for comparable detached product, making it one of Darwin's more accessible entry points. Separate houses account for 75.2% of the stock, so buyers get genuine land-and-house options rather than apartment exposure. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 51.5%, with four-plus bedrooms at 24.1%, meaning family-sized dwellings are the norm. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.9%, which stays below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners represent just 21.5% compared to 36.1% on mortgages, indicating the suburb is still in an active buying phase rather than settled long-term ownership.
For Investors
A 42.4% renter share is higher than the national average for suburban areas, giving landlords a broad tenant pool. Weekly median rent of $301 on a $394,000 median implies a gross yield near 3.97%, meaningfully above typical inner-city benchmarks. However, the 7.8% vacancy rate signals supply is running ahead of demand and warrants caution. Net overseas migration adds roughly 58 residents annually, which partially offsets the net internal outflow of 76. Population has been declining at 0.47% per year, with the 10-year change registering at minus 8.7%, and medium forecasts project the broader SA2 to continue contracting toward 4,534 by 2031. Investors should weigh yield against the structural population drift.
Schools in Malak iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Sanderson High School
7-9 · 328 students
Top End School of Flexible Learning
5-12 · 123 students
Malak Primary School
T-6 · 148 students
Demographics
The median age of 35 is 5 years below the national figure, pointing to a working-age-heavy population. Overseas-born residents account for 28.4%, which is 6.8 percentage points above the national rate. The top ancestry groups are English (648), followed by Irish (213) and Filipino (207), the latter reflecting Darwin's established Southeast Asian migration corridor. University qualifications reach 26.7%, slightly below the national average by 3.4 percentage points. Average household size is 2.8, marginally above the national figure of 2.5, consistent with the suburb's relatively large share of families with children: 944 couples-with-children households compared to 437 couples without.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
75.2%
Houses
24.8%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is split 21.5% outright ownership, 36.1% mortgaged and 42.4% renting, with renters clearly outnumbering owners. The stock leans toward separate houses at 75.2%, with semi-detached at 24.8% and no meaningful apartment component. Bedroom distribution centres on three-bedroom homes at 51.5%, flanked by four-plus at 24.1% and two-bedroom at 21.0%. Rent-to-income sits at 18.0%, below the 30% stress threshold, and mortgage-to-income at 26.9% is likewise comfortable. Population turnover runs at 23.4% over five years, meaning roughly one in four residents has moved, a moderate churn rate that keeps the rental market active without the instability seen in high-transience suburbs.
Mortgage / mo
$1,950
Rent / wk
$301
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$831
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.8%
Unoccupied
87
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
19.0%
Couples, no children
2,304
Total families
Economy & Employment
The local workforce concentrates in public-sector and service industries: Public Administration leads at 17.9% (144 workers) and Healthcare follows at 17.8% (143 workers), together accounting for more than a third of all employment. Education adds 13.2% (106 workers). This public-sector tilt is typical of inner Darwin but means local employment depends heavily on government spending cycles. By occupation, Professionals (260) and Clerical/Admin workers (215) dominate, with Community/Personal service workers (166) third. The unemployment rate is 7.6%, above the national average, and full-time employment runs at 69.5%. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 3 reflects below-average socioeconomic conditions, though the IEO decile of 5 indicates education and occupation outcomes that are closer to national median than income alone would suggest.
Unemployment
8.2%
Labour Force
2,562
Unemployed
210
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
69.5%
Part-time
22.9%
Participation
56.8%
Employed
1,223
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.7%
Postgraduate
6.3%
Born Overseas
28.4%
Dwellings
1,024
Transport to Work
Malak is almost exclusively car-dependent: 84.8% of residents drive to work, while only 2.4% use public transport and 2.8% walk or cycle. This is well above the national car-reliance average and reflects Darwin's limited transit network. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring areas. The IRSAD decile of 4 places Malak in the lower-middle tier nationally on combined advantage and disadvantage measures. The volunteering rate of 18.3% is consistent with an active community. Housing stress is contained, with rent-to-income at 18.0% and mortgage-to-income at 26.9%, both below standard stress thresholds. The need-assistance rate of 6.1% (164 residents) is moderate.
Drive
84.8%
Public Transport
2.4%
Walk / Cycle
2.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-0.47%/yr
(-22 people/yr)
EstablishedMalak is on a gradual contraction path. Annual population change registers minus 0.47%, with the 10-year population down 8.7%. The primary migration dynamic is a net overseas gain of 58 residents annually offset by a larger net internal outflow of 76, leaving a small negative net figure. The broader SA2 population, recorded at 4,729 in 2025, is forecast to reach 4,534 by 2031 under medium projections, a further 4.1% decline. The trajectory is classified as aging, with the senior share up 6.9 points over the decade and the working-age share down 3.4 points. Gentrification scores at zero, consistent with stable socioeconomic composition rather than upward pressure. Rent grew 9.4% over the period, faster than real income growth of minus 8.3%, compressing affordability for renters.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+58
Net Internal / yr
-76
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Malak compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Malak a good suburb to live in?
Malak offers relatively affordable housing at a $394,000 estimated median, with 75.2% separate houses and mortgage-to-income at 26.9%, below the stress threshold. The IRSAD decile of 4 places it in the lower-middle tier nationally. The main drawbacks are heavy car dependence at 84.8% and a 7.6% unemployment rate above the national average.
What is the median house price in Malak?
The estimated median house price in Malak is $394,000 (estimated from 2025 rents). Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.9%. Weekly rent is $301, implying a gross yield near 3.97%.
What schools are in Malak?
No schools are recorded inside the Malak suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Darwin suburbs. University qualifications in Malak reach 26.7%, which is 3.4 percentage points below the national average.
Is Malak safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Malak in this dataset. As indirect indicators, the IRSD decile of 3 reflects below-average socioeconomic conditions nationally, and the unemployment rate of 7.6% is above the national figure. The need-assistance rate is 6.1%, representing 164 residents.
Is Malak good for property investment?
The 42.4% renter share and $301 weekly rent on a $394,000 median imply a gross yield near 3.97%, above typical inner-city benchmarks. However, the 7.8% vacancy rate signals oversupply risk, and the suburb is losing population at 0.47% per year with a 10-year decline of 8.7%, which limits capital growth prospects.
How is Malak's population changing?
The population is contracting at 0.47% per year. The 10-year change is minus 8.7%, and medium forecasts project the broader SA2 to decline from 4,729 in 2025 to 4,534 by 2031. Net overseas migration adds 58 residents annually, but net internal outflow of 76 more than offsets that gain.
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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