Parap
Nearly two-thirds of Parap residents rent, and over half live in apartments, yet household income sits in the 84.5th percentile nationally, making this a rare combination of renter-majority, high-income, apartment-dense living in Darwin's inner ring. The suburb spans just 1.1 km2 at a density of 2,558 people per km2, with a population of 2,819 that has grown 42.8% over the past decade. University qualifications reach 46.5%, which is 16.4 points above the national average, and the overseas-born share of 34.2% runs 12.6 points higher than the national figure.
Population
2,819
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,231/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$490K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price is approximately $490,000, estimated from rental data for 2025. The stock skews heavily toward apartments at 59.1%, with separate houses making up only 30.6% and semi-detached dwellings 10.3%, so buyers seeking a detached home compete for a narrow slice of the market. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 40.9%, followed by three-bedroom at 29.0% and four-plus at 18.4%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,232, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.1%, which is below the 30% stress threshold. Only 13.2% own outright and 23.9% carry a mortgage, compared to 63.0% who rent, indicating the purchase market is thin and demand for owner-occupier stock is concentrated.
For Buyers
The median house price is approximately $490,000, estimated from rental data for 2025. The stock skews heavily toward apartments at 59.1%, with separate houses making up only 30.6% and semi-detached dwellings 10.3%, so buyers seeking a detached home compete for a narrow slice of the market. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 40.9%, followed by three-bedroom at 29.0% and four-plus at 18.4%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,232, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.1%, which is below the 30% stress threshold. Only 13.2% own outright and 23.9% carry a mortgage, compared to 63.0% who rent, indicating the purchase market is thin and demand for owner-occupier stock is concentrated.
For Investors
A 63.0% renter majority and weekly rent of $415 give landlords a strong tenant base by national standards. The vacancy rate stands at 14.4%, which is elevated and signals that the apartment segment, at 59.1% of dwellings, carries oversupply risk. Overseas migration drives population growth, averaging 104 net arrivals per year against a net internal outflow of 65, producing a thin but positive net gain. Population is forecast to reach 3,548 by 2031 on a medium-scenario basis, adding roughly 373 residents from the current level. Rent-to-income sits at 18.6%, below the 30% stress threshold, which means tenants can sustain rents without the stress-driven churn that raises vacancy, though the high vacancy rate suggests pricing pressure in the apartment segment.
Schools in Parap iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Parap Primary School
T-6 · 405 students
Demographics
The median age of 36 is 4.0 years below the national figure, reflecting a younger, working-age profile drawn by government and professional employment. Overseas-born residents make up 34.2%, which is 12.6 points above the national average, and top non-English languages include Nepali (25 speakers), Urdu (22), Portuguese (17), Hindi (16) and Sinhalese (14). University qualifications at 46.5% run 16.4 points above national, consistent with the high Professionals (494) and Managers (295) occupational counts. Average household size is 2.3, slightly below the national figure, and 28.3% of families are couples without children. Ancestries are led by English (887), Irish (343) and Scottish (276), giving an Anglo-Celtic base overlaid by a mobile international workforce.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
30.6%
Houses
10.3%
Townhouse
59.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure in Parap is renter-dominated: 63.0% rent, 23.9% carry a mortgage and only 13.2% own outright. The outright ownership rate is well below national norms, reflecting a transient professional and public-sector population rather than long-term wealth accumulation. Apartments account for 59.1% of dwellings and separate houses just 30.6%, so the housing mix is more inner-urban than typical NT suburban stock. Two-bedroom configurations are the most common at 40.9%, followed by three-bedroom at 29.0%. Monthly mortgage costs average $2,232 against a median house price of approximately $490,000. Turnover is high at 38.8% of residents having moved in the past five years, while 61.2% stayed, indicating a resident base with moderate stability but significant churn compared to owner-occupier suburbs.
Mortgage / mo
$2,232
Rent / wk
$415
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$1,281
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
14.4%
Unoccupied
190
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
28.3%
Couples, no children
1,895
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public administration is the dominant industry at 22.6% (286 workers), consistent with Darwin's role as the NT capital and administrative centre. Healthcare employs 14.7% (186 workers), Education 11.5% (146) and Professional/Tech 10.9% (138), while Hospitality accounts for 6.8% (86). By occupation, Professionals (494) and Managers (295) together represent the largest workforce groups, driving the household income above the 84.5th percentile nationally. Unemployment is 4.5% with a full-time employment rate of 73.6% and participation at 69.9%. The SEIFA IEO score (decile 8) for education and occupation advantage is notably higher than the IER score (decile 3) for economic resources, an anomaly explained by the high renter share (63.0%) which depresses aggregate household wealth despite strong incomes.
Unemployment
2.1%
Labour Force
1,957
Unemployed
42
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
73.6%
Part-time
21.9%
Participation
69.9%
Employed
1,554
Occupations
Top Industries
University
46.5%
Postgraduate
13.7%
Born Overseas
34.2%
Dwellings
1,126
Transport to Work
Car use is dominant at 82.7% of commuters, but walking and cycling account for 7.7%, above the Darwin average, reflecting the compact 1.1 km2 footprint and proximity to the CBD. Public transport use is low at 2.7%. No schools are recorded inside the Parap boundary in this dataset, so families draw on nearby Darwin institutions. The IRSAD decile 8 score places the suburb in the upper tier nationally for socioeconomic advantage. Housing stress is low: rent-to-income at 18.6% and mortgage-to-income at 23.1% both sit comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. The volunteering rate of 22.0% is healthy, and only 2.9% of residents (77 people) need daily assistance, consistent with the younger median age of 36 and the professional workforce profile.
Drive
82.7%
Public Transport
2.7%
Walk / Cycle
7.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.73%/yr
(+55 people/yr)
EstablishedParap's population grew 42.8% over the decade, well above the national average for established suburbs. Current estimates sit at 3,175 for 2025 after a COVID dip of 2.9% that has fully recovered. Annual growth runs at 1.73%, with medium-scenario forecasts projecting 3,548 residents by 2031. Overseas migration drives growth at 104 net arrivals per year, offsetting a net internal outflow of 65. The suburb shows early gentrification signals (score 26), with population up 49% since 2011. An aging trajectory is also underway: the senior share rose 4.6 points and the working-age share fell 1.7 points over the decade.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+104
Net Internal / yr
-65
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +49% since 2011, COVID recovered (-3% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Parap compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parap a good suburb to live in?
Parap ranks in SEIFA IRSAD decile 8 and IEO decile 8, placing it in the upper tier nationally for advantage. Household income sits at the 84.5th percentile and university qualifications reach 46.5%, which is 16.4 points above the national figure. The main trade-offs are a 14.4% vacancy rate and a dominant apartment stock at 59.1% of dwellings.
What is the median house price in Parap?
The median house price is approximately $490,000, estimated from rental data for 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,232, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.1%, below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $415, with a rent-to-income ratio of 18.6%.
What schools are in Parap?
No schools are recorded inside the Parap boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring Darwin suburbs. The local population is highly educated, with university qualifications at 46.5%, which is 16.4 points above the national average, consistent with the suburb's professional and government workforce base.
Is Parap safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Parap in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores SEIFA IRSD decile 7 for relative disadvantage, above the national midpoint, and only 2.9% of residents (77 people) need daily assistance. The high income level (84.5th percentile nationally) is consistent with a low-disadvantage setting.
Is Parap good for property investment?
A 63.0% renter majority provides strong tenant demand, and population is forecast to grow from roughly 3,175 in 2025 to 3,548 by 2031. However, a 14.4% vacancy rate signals apartment oversupply risk, and net internal migration runs negative at minus 65 per year, offset only by 104 overseas arrivals annually. Returns lean toward yield rather than capital growth.
How is Parap's population changing?
Population grew 42.8% over the decade and now sits at approximately 3,175 (2025 estimate), up from a COVID low of 2,951. Annual growth is 1.73%, adding around 55 people per year. Medium-scenario forecasts project 3,548 residents by 2031. Overseas migration at 104 net arrivals per year is the primary driver, outpacing an internal outflow of 65.
What languages are spoken in Parap?
About 34.2% of residents were born overseas, which is 12.6 points above the national figure. Top non-English languages include Nepali (25 speakers), Urdu (22), Portuguese (17), Hindi (16) and Sinhalese (14), reflecting the international government and professional workforce typical of inner Darwin.
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 Parap on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map