🔍

Driver

NT 830 • Greater Darwin

2,747
Population (2021)
$103,168
Median Household Income
1.72 km²
Area
$350/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyMulticulturalGrowth SuburbSuburban

About Driver

Driver is a suburban locality within the City of Palmerston in the Greater Darwin region of the Northern Territory. Established as part of Palmerston's planned expansion, it sits at an elevation of 28 metres with a population of approximately 2,747 as of the 2021 Census. The suburb has a diverse demographic profile, with residents of Australian, Filipino, Nepalese, and Indigenous backgrounds reflecting the multicultural character of the Darwin satellite city. The median household income of around 03,000 per year aligns with the broader Palmerston area's relatively high wages, reflecting the Territory's elevated cost-of-living allowances.

Driver is a family-oriented suburb offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle with access to Palmerston's amenities including shopping centres, schools, parks, and sporting facilities. The Palmerston Recreation Centre and Palmerston City Centre are within easy reach. Residents benefit from the City of Palmerston's growing infrastructure, with Darwinbus orbital routes connecting the suburb to the Palmerston Interchange and onward to Darwin CBD. The tropical climate, affordable housing relative to Darwin, and community feel make Driver popular with young families and defence personnel stationed at nearby RAAF Base Darwin.

Driver falls under postcode 830 and is governed by Palmerston Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Drysdale electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Northern Territory Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission💰 Top 50 Suburbs in Northern Territory by Median Household Income

📍 Location

State
Northern Territory
Postcode
830
Urban Area
Driver
LGA / Council
Palmerston
Federal Electorate
Solomon
State Electorate
Drysdale
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Darwin (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-12.49°, 130.98°
Statistical Area
Greater Darwin
Area
1.72 km²
Elevation
28m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$350
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,950
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
33 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
8.3%

75 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Palmerston Orbital services (Darwinbus) — Palmerston Interchange via Bakewell, Rosebery, Moulden, Driver approx. 15-25 min to Palmerston Interchange
  • Route 8 (Darwinbus) — Darwin CBD via Palmerston Interchange approx. 45-55 min to Darwin CBD

Commute to Darwin CBD

Distance
25 km
By Train
No passenger rail service
By Bus
approx. 50-60 min via Palmerston Interchange (Darwinbus)
By Car (Peak)
approx. 25-30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
approx. 17-20 min

🛣️ No rail service in Darwin/Palmerston. Darwinbus connects via Palmerston Interchange. Stuart Highway is the main arterial road.

Walkability Car Dependent

Suburban layout requires a car for most errands, though local bus services offer a viable connection to Palmerston and Darwin.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

No schools listed for this postcode.

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,884
Census 2021
2,747
▼ 4.8% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$51,324
Personal Income 2021
$52,572
▲ 2.4% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$52,572 / yr
$1011/wk
Household
$103,168 / yr
$1984/wk
Family
$113,516 / yr
$2183/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,862
Born Overseas 643

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Philippines 121
  • 2. Nepal 71
  • 3. India 67
  • 4. England 63
  • 5. New Zealand 49
  • 6. Indonesia 36
  • 7. China 22
  • 8. Thailand 21
  • 9. Papua New Guinea 16
  • 10. Taiwan 16

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 906
English 828
Australian Aboriginal 364
Scottish 206
Irish 186
Filipino 157
German 123
Chinese 83
Italian 51
Dutch 47

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,360
Both parents born in Australia
771
Both parents born overseas
362
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
44.9%
Christianity
34.3%
Hinduism
3.7%
Buddhism
2.8%
Islam
1.1%
Sikhism
0.9%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
204 (7.4%)
5-14 years
415 (15.1%)
15-19 years
156 (5.7%)
20-24 years
193 (7.0%)
25-34 years
506 (18.4%)
35-44 years
430 (15.7%)
45-54 years
337 (12.3%)
55-64 years
297 (10.8%)
65-74 years
160 (5.8%)
75-84 years
36 (1.3%)
85+ years
11 (0.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Driver known for? +

Driver is a suburban locality within the City of Palmerston in the Greater Darwin region of the Northern Territory. Established as part of Palmerston's planned expansion, it sits at an elevation of 28 metres with a population of approximately 2,747 as of the 2021 Census.

How far is Driver from Darwin CBD? +

Driver is approximately 25 km from Darwin CBD. By car, the journey takes around approx. 17-20 min off-peak and approx. 25-30 min during peak hours.

Does Driver have public transport? +

Driver is served by bus routes connecting to Palmerston Interchange via Bakewell, Rosebery, Moulden, Driver, though there is no direct rail service. A car is recommended for most journeys.

What is the population of Driver? +

According to the 2021 Census, Driver has a population of approximately 2,747 residents. It is a mid-sized suburb within the Palmerston (City).

Is Driver a good place to live? +

Driver offers a comfortable suburban lifestyle with access to local amenities and services. It suits a range of residents from families to retirees, depending on personal preferences for pace of life and proximity to urban centres.

What is the postcode for Driver? +

The postcode for Driver, NT is 830.

What is the average income in Driver? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Driver is about $1,011 per week (around $52,600 per year). The median household income is $1,984 per week and the median family income is $2,183 per week.

What is the age profile of Driver? +

The median age in Driver is 33. The largest age group is 25–34 (506 residents, around 18%). Around 28% of residents are under 20 and about 8% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

How much is rent in Driver? +

In Driver, the median weekly rent is $350, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,950 (2021 Census).