Population
−2.3% since 2016.
Central Desert, NT
Central Desert had a population of 3,591 at the 2021 Census (−2.3% since 2016). Median age 27.8. Median weekly household income $1,116. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.
Central Desert at a glance
What the 2021 Census says, compared with Northern Territory.
Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Central Desert's population shrank by 2.3% to 3,591, slower than Northern Territory as a whole (+1.7%). With a median age of 27.8, it is younger than the NT average (33.2). Children under 10 make up 17.7% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 3.7%.
74.8% of households rent, a larger share than the NT average of 48.6%. 2.8% own their home outright. Almost every home is a house; flats and apartments are 1.9% of homes. The 2021 Census counted 715 households.
The median household earns $1,116 a week, below the NT average of $2,058. Renters pay a median $80 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $300 a month.
3.9% of residents were born overseas, fewer than the NT average of 23.9%. 82.8% use a language other than English at home. 23.3% report no religion, lower than the NT average (43.9%).
Key figures
2021 Census, Central Desert beside NT and Australia.
| Measure | Central Desert | NT | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,591 | 232,621 | 25,422,828 |
| Growth since 2016 | −2.3% | +1.7% | +8.6% |
| Median age | 27.8 | 33.2 | 38.2 |
| Households | 715 | 70,646 | 9,275,123 |
| Flats and apartments | 1.9% | 18.1% | 14.3% |
| Renting | 74.8% | 48.6% | 31.1% |
| Owned outright | 2.8% | 16.2% | 31.4% |
| Median household income a week | $1,116 | $2,058 | $1,747 |
| Median rent a week | $80 | $326 | $376 |
| Median mortgage repayment a month | $300 | $2,001 | $1,866 |
| Born overseas | 3.9% | 23.9% | 29.3% |
| Other language at home | 82.8% | 36.1% | 23.6% |
| No religion | 23.3% | 43.9% | 41.9% |
Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built
Population and age
Each census since 2011, and the age profile in 2021.
Age
Median age 27.8, against 33.2 for Northern Territory.
Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built
Cultural background
The largest groups in Central Desert at the 2021 Census.
Ancestry
Languages at home
Country of birth
Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built
Around Central Desert
The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.
Explore Central Desert in Censible
Every census figure for Central Desert, mapped and compared with any other place. A free account takes a minute.