Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Desert Springs suburb profile
Desert Springs, NT · Postcode 0870
This Desert Springs suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Desert Springs, NT (postcode 0870). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare Desert Springs with nearby suburbs.
Desert Springs at a glance
Population
1,536
Median rent
$500/wk
Household income
$3,025/wk
Median age
36
Desert Springs trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+2.5% over 10 years
Population
1,536
was 1,477 in 2016
+59 · +4%
Median rent
$500/wk
was $410/wk in 2016
+$90 · +22%
Household income
$3,025/wk
was $2,517/wk in 2016
+$508 · +20.2%
Median age
36
was 39 in 2016
-3 · -7.7%
Dig deeper: Desert Springs population growth · Desert Springs then and now
Desert Springs vs nearby & Greater Darwin
Median Census 2021 figures for Desert Springs, nearby suburbs (8), and the Darwin metro median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
+38.9% vs area
- Desert Springs$500/wk
- Nearby$371.5/wk
- Darwin$360/wk
Household income
+38.8% vs area
- Desert Springs$3,025/wk
- Nearby$2,064.5/wk
- Darwin$2,179/wk
Median age
+5.9% vs area
- Desert Springs36
- Nearby34
- Darwin34
Personal income
+33% vs area
- Desert Springs$1,454/wk
- Nearby$1,120.5/wk
- Darwin$1,093.5/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in NT. See Darwin rankings.
Socio-economic profile
How Desert Springs compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Desert Springs ranks among Australia's most advantaged suburbs. It shows strong access to economic resources and high education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 101,116.3
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 101,119.3
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 91,078.4
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 101,092.8
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Desert Springs on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Desert Springs, NT.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Desert Springs people
- Population
- 1,536
- Median age
- 36
- Born overseas
- 35.5%
- Average household size
- 2.8
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Desert Springs income
- Median household income
- $3,025/wk
- Median personal income
- $1,454/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Desert Springs housing
- Median rent
- $500/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $2,264/mo
- Separate houses
- 57.2%
- Flats & apartments
- 0.7%
- Owned outright
- 18.2%
- Mortgaged
- 32.4%
- Rented
- 29.3%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 14.2%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
Desert Springs work
- Employment to population
- 78.5%
- Unemployment rate
- 1.6%
- Year 12 or above
- 70.8%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 0870)
Compare Desert Springs with nearby suburbs
Desert Springs in numbers
Desert Springs had 1,536 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 57th most populous suburb or locality in NT out of 273. The median age is 36, 6% above the typical NT suburb. The average household has 2.8 people. 35.5% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 18.2% own their home outright, 32.4% are paying a mortgage, 29.3% rent. Separate houses make up 57.2% of dwellings, with 0.7% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $500/wk, 47% above the typical NT suburb.
Median household income was $3,025/wk, 46% above the typical NT suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 1.6%. 70.8% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 10 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 4% (from 1,477 to 1,536). Median rent moved from $410/wk to $500/wk (+22%).
Desert Springs suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Desert Springs, NT?
- The median weekly rent in Desert Springs was $500/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Desert Springs, NT?
- Desert Springs had 1,536 residents at the 2021 Census, up 4% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Desert Springs?
- Median household income in Desert Springs was $3,025/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Desert Springs?
- 29.3% of occupied homes in Desert Springs were rented, 18.2% were owned outright and 32.4% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Desert Springs suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Desert Springs. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology · Richest suburbs in Darwin