Browse property in Northern Territory

Overview

The Northern Territory remains sparsely settled, with an estimated population of 260,400 in March 2025 and just over half of residents living in the capital city of Darwin (≈ 52.6 % of the Territory’s total). The next‑largest centres are Palmerston, Alice Springs (about 25,000 people), Katherine, Nhulunbuy and Tennant Creek, all clustered along the Stuart Highway or coastal regions. This concentration of people in a few urban hubs shapes a housing stock that is largely a mix of city‑type dwellings in Darwin‑Palmerston and smaller‑scale residences in the inland towns.

Mining and petroleum underpin the Territory’s economy, contributing 23 % of gross state product and $5.68 billion in exports during 2018‑19, while construction has recently become the largest single industry. With a per‑capita GSP of $72,496 , the highest of any Australian jurisdiction, income levels are relatively strong, influencing both rental demand and overall housing affordability. Steady economic growth, driven by mineral‑fuel exports and expanding construction activity, supports ongoing development of the residential market across the Territory’s urban centres.