Malak
Malak's compact 1.75 sq km footprint houses 3,013 people at 1,722.4 residents per sq km, yet its housing is mostly detached: 75.2% separate houses and 24.8% semi-detached dwellings. At 35, the median age is 5 years below the national figure, while 28.4% of residents were born overseas, 6.8 percentage points above national. Compared with nearby Karama and Moil, Malak reads as an established, car-oriented Darwin suburb with an aging trajectory rather than a high-growth market. Household income sits at the 58.2nd percentile, supporting a middle-income profile, although population change across the wider area is -8.7% over 10 years.
Local council: Darwin
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
Malak suits buyers prioritising established detached housing over apartment living, with 75.2% separate houses, 24.8% semi-detached dwellings and 51.5% of homes containing 3 bedrooms. A current median house price is not available, so monthly mortgage cost of $1,950 and weekly rent of $301 are more useful starting points than a price-led comparison. Mortgage commitments equal 26.9% of household income, higher than the 18.0% rent-to-income share, while 35.6% of households have a mortgage and 21.1% own outright. Compared with a denser inner Darwin option, Malak's form favours space and car access, but buyers should test insurance, cooling and renovation costs because those can materially change affordability.
For Buyers
Malak suits buyers prioritising established detached housing over apartment living, with 75.2% separate houses, 24.8% semi-detached dwellings and 51.5% of homes containing 3 bedrooms. A current median house price is not available, so monthly mortgage cost of $1,950 and weekly rent of $301 are more useful starting points than a price-led comparison. Mortgage commitments equal 26.9% of household income, higher than the 18.0% rent-to-income share, while 35.6% of households have a mortgage and 21.1% own outright. Compared with a denser inner Darwin option, Malak's form favours space and car access, but buyers should test insurance, cooling and renovation costs because those can materially change affordability.
For Investors
Malak presents a mixed rental case. Renting accounts for 41.8% of households, higher than the 21.1% owning outright, and weekly rent is $301. The 7.8% vacancy rate may give tenants more choice and can soften rental competition, even though rent growth has reached 9.4%. The development count was 0 in the last 12 months, limiting a near-term construction catalyst. The forecast trend is -0.47% annually and the primary migration driver is overseas migration, so investor returns depend more on holding quality and tenant demand than on rapid capital growth. Compared with a lower-vacancy market, the vacancy figure warrants conservative assumptions for leasing time and rent increases.
Demographics
Malak has a median age of 35, which is 5 years below the national figure, but its trajectory is aging. Overseas-born residents make up 28.4%, 6.8 percentage points above the national share, with English, other and Irish ancestry counts of 648, 602 and 213, alongside 207 Filipino residents. University attainment is 26.7%, 3.4 points below national, while average household size is 2.8, or 0.3 above national. Christianity counts 1,371 residents and no religion 1,095. The 76.6% who stayed at the same address suggests more continuity than a highly transient suburb, even with a 23.4% turnover rate.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
75.2%
Houses
24.8%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Malak's housing stock is predominantly low-rise: 75.2% separate houses and 24.8% semi-detached dwellings. Three-bedroom homes account for 51.5% of stock, followed by 4 or more bedrooms at 24.1%, so the built form is more family-sized than studio-oriented. Tenure is divided between 41.8% renting, 35.6% mortgaged ownership and 21.1% outright ownership, with the renting share higher than the outright share. Weekly rent is $301, while mortgage payments are $1,950 a month and equal 26.9% of household income. Compared with a predominantly owner-occupied suburb, Malak's tenure mix creates a broader tenant market but also more sensitivity to vacancy and household turnover.
Mortgage / mo
$1,950
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$301
Census 2021
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
40.4%
Couples with children
29.2%
Couples, no children
27.4%
Single parent
760
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public administration and healthcare lead Malak's employment base at 17.9% and 17.8%, followed by education at 13.2%, construction at 8.7% and professional or technical services at 7.3%. This mix links local incomes to government, care and education demand, while occupations span 260 professionals, 215 clerical and administrative workers, 199 trades workers, 166 community and personal service workers and 140 labourers. The labour force participation rate is 60.7%, full-time work is 64.6% and unemployment is 7.1%. Socioeconomic results are uneven: IEO is in decile 5, higher than IER decile 2, while IRSD is decile 3 and IRSAD decile 4. That gap points to comparatively stronger education and occupation conditions than economic resources.
Unemployment
7.1%
Labour Force
1,416
Unemployed
101
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
64.6%
Part-time
28.4%
Participation
60.7%
Employed
1,315
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.7%
Postgraduate
6.3%
Born Overseas
28.4%
Dwellings
1,024
Transport to Work
Malak is compact, but daily travel is strongly car dependent: 81.8% travelled as car drivers, compared with 2.3% using public transport and 2.7% walking or cycling. Only 3.5% worked from home, reinforcing the importance of road access for work and errands. At 1.75 sq km and 1,722.4 people per sq km, local services are relatively close in distance, although congestion and parking may matter. Families should check nearby school enrolment zones against the exact address because access can cross suburb boundaries. Volunteering is 18.3%, and 6.1% of residents need assistance. IRSAD sits in decile 4, below the IEO decile 5, suggesting livability is shaped by practical access as much as amenity.
Drive
81.8%
Public Transport
2.3%
Walk / Cycle
2.7%
Work from Home
3.5%
Growth Outlook
Malak is an established suburb with a forecast trend of -0.47% a year, placing expected growth below zero rather than in an expansion phase. The shift trajectory is labelled Aging, with the senior share up 6.9 percentage points, the working share down 3.4 points and population change across the wider area at -8.7% over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, but the gentrification score is 0 and the stage is Not gentrifying. These signals point to demographic change without a redevelopment-led upswing: rent growth of 9.4% may reflect housing pressure, while affordability remains Stable at 37.3% in 2021 compared with 38.5% in 2011.
Population trend: Darwin council area
Malak sits in the Darwin council area. These are the council area's residents, not Malak's.
Residents 2025
90,035
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.1%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.4%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
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 can suit households seeking established detached housing and practical road access. It has 3,013 residents, 75.2% separate houses and 81.8% car drivers. The trade-offs are an aging trajectory, 7.8% vacancy and IRSAD decile 4, so inspect the exact street and services before deciding.
What is the median house price in Malak?
A current median house price is not available for Malak. Buyers can still benchmark holding costs using the $1,950 monthly mortgage figure and $301 weekly rent, while noting that 75.2% of dwellings are separate houses. Obtain recent comparable sales for the exact street before setting a budget.
What schools are in Malak?
School access should be checked by exact address because enrolment zones can cross suburb boundaries. Malak covers 1.75 square kilometres and has 3,013 residents, so nearby options may serve the suburb even when they sit outside its boundary. Confirm sector, year levels, transport and places directly with each school.
Is Malak safe?
A current suburb-level crime rate is not available, so safety should be assessed at the exact street and time of day rather than assumed from the suburb label. Malak has 3,013 residents and 6.1% need assistance, making lighting, access and nearby services relevant checks for households.
Is Malak good for property investment?
Malak may suit a yield-focused, established-market strategy more than a rapid-growth strategy. Weekly rent is $301, renting is 41.8%, vacancy is 7.8% and the development count is 0. The forecast trend is -0.47% annually, so compare conservative rent and capital-growth assumptions with purchase costs before investing.
How is Malak's population changing?
Population change is subdued and aging. The forecast trend is -0.47% annually, while change across the wider area is -8.7% over 10 years. The shift is labelled Aging, with senior share up 6.9 points; overseas migration is the primary driver, so demographic renewal may be uneven rather than broad-based.
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 education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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