Kakadu > About NT > Key Facts > The People
The People
The Northern Territory has the sparsest population of any state or territory in Australia, with approximately 211,000 people and two percent density. The region has a youthful and multicultural population, of which 30 percent are Aboriginal people and 15 percent were born overseas.
Darwin alone is home to people from more than 60 different nationalities and more than 70 different ethnic backgrounds. A large proportion of the Aboriginal population lives in remote communities throughout the NT, from the Red Centre, through to Arnhem Land and across to the Tiwi Islands. Many of these communities boast thriving art centres, where you can visit to purchase works and meet the artists.
Travellers should be aware, however, that permits are required to visit many of these communities. The largest Aboriginal groups are the Pitjantjatjara, Arrernte, Luritja and Warlpiri in the Red Centre, and Yolngu in east Arnhem Land.
The average age of Northern Territory residents is 32 years, compared with the national average of 37 years.
Major towns
Darwin is the smallest capital city in Australia, with approximately 106,000 residents. It is located closer to Jakarta than Canberra, nearer to Singapore than Melbourne, and has a harbour twice the size of Sydney Harbour.
Alice Springs is the Northern Territory’s largest regional centre and is home to approximately 26, 000 people. It is home to world class Aboriginal art galleries, and has more art galleries per capita than any other place in the world.
Katherine has a population of approximately 9000, and also services a large number of stations, Tindal RAAF Base which is just out of town and the large number of tourists that visit Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge).
Further south on the Barkly Tablelands, Tennant Creek is home to approximately 3000 people, and is the hub for the surrounding cattle stations. The town is also known for the valuable cultural and historical experiences it offers.
