Wagaman
An established, detached-dominant pocket in Darwin's northern suburbs, Wagaman has 2,023 residents across 0.84 sq km at a density of 2,414.7 people per sq km. Median age is 35, while household income sits at the 78.3rd percentile and overseas-born residents are 46.4%, or 24.8 points above the national comparison. Compared with nearby Rapid Creek's more coastal and varied housing feel, Wagaman leans toward practical family housing: 80.6% of dwellings are separate houses and 47.4% of families are couples with children. The trade-off is slow growth, with annual change at -0.57% and 10-year change at -3.9%, so the suburb suits established amenity more than speculative expansion.
Local council: Darwin
Population
2,023
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,083/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Homebuyers face a rental-oriented but relatively manageable cost profile. Weekly rent is $340, mortgage cost is $1,820 a month, and housing costs represent 16.3% of household income for renters and 20.2% for mortgage holders, with neither measure carrying a stress flag. The 78.3rd household-income percentile supports spending capacity, although no current median house price is available, so purchasers should rely on address-level comparable sales rather than a suburb-wide benchmark. Wagaman's stock is 80.6% separate houses, 17.3% semi-detached and 2.0% apartments, with 50.6% of homes having 3 bedrooms. Compared with denser pockets of Rapid Creek, the detached mix may appeal to households seeking space, while the 41.3% renting share keeps tenant demand visible.
For Buyers
Homebuyers face a rental-oriented but relatively manageable cost profile. Weekly rent is $340, mortgage cost is $1,820 a month, and housing costs represent 16.3% of household income for renters and 20.2% for mortgage holders, with neither measure carrying a stress flag. The 78.3rd household-income percentile supports spending capacity, although no current median house price is available, so purchasers should rely on address-level comparable sales rather than a suburb-wide benchmark. Wagaman's stock is 80.6% separate houses, 17.3% semi-detached and 2.0% apartments, with 50.6% of homes having 3 bedrooms. Compared with denser pockets of Rapid Creek, the detached mix may appeal to households seeking space, while the 41.3% renting share keeps tenant demand visible.
For Investors
Investors have a clear rental-demand base but should temper yield expectations because Wagaman's growth settings are subdued. Renting accounts for 41.3% of occupied dwellings, weekly rent is $340 and vacancy is 6.2%, a combination that points to an established tenant market rather than an ultra-tight one. Development activity was 0 in the past 12 months, limiting a near-term supply pipeline, while the annual population trend is -0.57% and overseas migration is the primary forecast driver. Compared with a high-growth suburb, the case rests more on existing housing, employment access and tenant turnover than on rapid price appreciation. The 26.7% turnover rate supports leasing activity, but the 0 gentrification score and "Not gentrifying" stage argue for conservative assumptions.
Demographics
Wagaman is younger than the national profile but is moving toward an older age structure. Median age is 35, five years below the national comparison, while the senior share has risen 4.4 percentage points and the young share has fallen 3.0 points. Overseas-born residents make up 46.4%, 24.8 points above the national figure, helping explain the prominence of Greek, Nepali and Mandarin language groups. Ancestry counts include Other at 503 people, English at 367, Greek at 214, Chinese at 183 and Filipino at 181. Couples with children represent 47.4% of families, while one-parent families account for 20.0%, so household needs are mixed. Compared with nearby Rapid Creek, Wagaman has a more family-oriented household composition.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
80.6%
Houses
17.3%
Townhouse
2.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing is predominantly detached and relatively balanced between ownership and renting. Separate houses make up 80.6% of dwellings, compared with 17.3% semi-detached homes and 2.0% apartments. Tenure is split across 22.3% owned outright, 34.6% with a mortgage and 41.3% rented, with 1.8% in other arrangements. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 50.6%, followed by 4-plus bedrooms at 27.4% and two-bedroom homes at 20.4%, which aligns with the 3.0-person average household size. The $340 weekly rent and 20.2% mortgage-to-income ratio suggest housing costs are manageable for many households, while a 6.2% vacancy rate gives renters more choice than a tightly constrained market. Compared with denser Rapid Creek pockets, Wagaman's housing form is more house-led.
Mortgage / mo
$1,820
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$340
Census 2021
HH Size
3.0
Personal Income / wk
$864
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.2%
Unoccupied
42
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
16.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
47.4%
Couples with children
31.0%
Couples, no children
20.0%
Single parent
529
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment is anchored by healthcare, public administration and service industries, giving Wagaman a practical connection to Darwin's institutional economy. Healthcare accounts for 23.5% of jobs, public administration 15.3%, hospitality 8.3%, construction 8.0% and retail 7.9%. Labour-force participation is 66.2%, unemployment is 5.8% and full-time employment is 64.4%, indicating a mixed workforce rather than a purely professional base. Occupations span 170 professionals, 160 community and personal service workers, 148 trades workers, 142 clerical and administrative workers and 125 labourers. Household income is at the 78.3rd percentile, above the midpoint nationally, because employment is spread across health, government, trades and consumer services. SEIFA deciles are IEO 5, IER 3, IRSD 3 and IRSAD 4, showing opportunity and resources below the stronger income ranking.
Unemployment
5.8%
Labour Force
1,065
Unemployed
62
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
64.4%
Part-time
29.5%
Participation
66.2%
Employed
1,003
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
38.1%
Postgraduate
12.2%
Born Overseas
46.4%
Dwellings
640
Transport to Work
Lifestyle in Wagaman is car-led and practical. Driving accounts for 75.9% of journeys, while 4.3% use public transport, 6.5% walk or cycle and 3.8% work from home, so daily convenience depends more on road access than transit intensity. The suburb has an established family base, with 529 families, an average household size of 3.0 and 47.4% of families being couples with children. Families should check school options, sectors and enrolment zones against the exact address, since boundaries can cross suburb lines. Social conditions are mixed: IRSAD is in decile 4, IRSD in decile 3, IEO in decile 5 and IER in decile 3. Compared with more walkable Darwin-city locations, Wagaman suits households comfortable with car-based routines and established suburban services.
Drive
75.9%
Public Transport
4.3%
Walk / Cycle
6.5%
Work from Home
3.8%
Growth Outlook
Growth is a holding pattern rather than an expansion cycle. The annual trend is -0.57%, and population change across the wider area is -3.9% over 10 years. The shift trajectory is "Aging": the senior share has increased 4.4 percentage points while the young share has declined 3.0 points, which can reduce household churn and new-family demand over time. Overseas migration remains the primary driver, providing an offset to the negative trend, but the gentrification score is 0 and the stage is "Not gentrifying". Real income growth is -4.9%, even though affordability improved from 44.7 in 2011 to 39.4 in 2021. Compared with a high-growth suburb, Wagaman is better read as an established market where maintenance and selective renewal matter more than speculative uplift.
Population trend: Darwin council area
Wagaman sits in the Darwin council area. These are the council area's residents, not Wagaman'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 Wagaman compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wagaman a good suburb to live in?
Wagaman suits households seeking established, mostly detached housing, with 80.6% of dwellings being separate houses and 47.4% of families comprising couples with children. Daily travel is car-led, with 75.9% driving, while annual population trend is -0.57%, so it is better suited to stability than rapid change.
What is the median house price in Wagaman?
A suburb-wide median house price is not stated for Wagaman. Weekly rent is $340, and 80.6% of dwellings are separate houses. Buyers should compare recent sales for similar 3-bedroom and 4-plus-bedroom homes at the exact address rather than rely on an unsupported suburb-wide estimate.
What schools are in Wagaman?
Families considering postcode 0810 should check nearby school options against the exact address, including enrolment zones, travel time and government or non-government sector. Boundaries can cross suburb lines, so the closest school is not always the relevant enrolment option.
Is Wagaman safe?
Wagaman's postcode is 0810, but a suburb-level crime rate is not stated, so safety cannot be rated from one figure. Before deciding, check recent incidents by category and location, visit the exact street at different times and compare nearby routes, lighting and activity.
Is Wagaman good for property investment?
Wagaman can suit an income-focused investor because 41.3% of households rent and weekly rent is $340. However, vacancy is 6.2%, annual growth is -0.57% and development activity was 0 in the past 12 months, so conservative capital-growth and leasing assumptions are appropriate.
How is Wagaman's population changing?
The wider area's population change is -3.9% over 10 years and the annual trend is -0.57%. Wagaman has an Aging trajectory, with the senior share up 4.4 points and the young share down 3.0 points, although overseas migration remains the primary growth driver.
What languages are spoken in Wagaman?
Greek is the most prominent listed language, with 107 speakers, followed by Nepali at 56 and Mandarin at 30. Overseas-born residents account for 46.4% of Wagaman's population, which is 24.8 percentage points above the national comparison.
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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