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Howard Springs suburb profile

Howard Springs is a semi-rural suburb on Darwin's outskirts with a strong bushland character centred on Howard Springs Nature Park, whose walking trails and spring-fed reserve are a local focus. The area blends suburban-sized blocks with larger rural-residential lots and hobby farms, where established gardens, mango and native trees create a leafy, outdoor-oriented feel. Residents tend to favour a quieter, family-focused lifestyle with plenty of space and native birdlife. A modest village atmosphere is supported by local community facilities and shops, while main roads provide straightforward connections to Palmerston and Darwin for wider services.

Howard Springs property market performance

Like many smaller suburbs, Howard Springs sees relatively few recent property sales, so there isn't enough data to publish a reliable median price for houses or units. The figures that are available show house values have risen sharply, up 41.4% over the last 12 months.

Six houses were sold over the last 3 months, and houses sold in a median of 64 days over the last 12 months.

The rental market in Howard Springs has an average house rent of $735 a week, which rose a slight 0.7% over the last 12 months.

HousesUnits
Median price
Past 3 months
N/AN/A
Change in value
Past 12 months
41.4%N/A
Sold
Past 3 months
6N/A
Median days on market
Past 12 months
64N/A
Average rent
Past 12 months
$735N/A
Change in rent
Past 12 months
0.7%N/A

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Howard Springs demographics

Howard Springs is a community of 3,153 people with a median age of 43. The typical household earns $2,560 a week, roughly $133,120 a year.

Families dominate the local mix: couple families with children are the largest group at 46.7%, and together with couple families without children (42.1%) they make up 88.8% of reported families. One-parent families account for 10.6% and other families for 0.6%.

Homes in Howard Springs are predominantly owner-occupied, with 34.7% owned outright and 48.7% owned with a mortgage. That adds to about five in six owner-occupied homes, while roughly one in six (16.6%) are rented.

Howard Springs infrastructure, key developments and investment opportunities

Howard Springs is home to Manigurr-ma Village, the former INPEX workers camp that was repurposed as the Centre for National Resilience, the supervised quarantine facility used during the COVID-19 pandemic. The centre ceased repatriation operations at the end of June 2022 and control of the site moved to the Northern Territory Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, with the facility maintained on standby.

The NT Planning Scheme includes an exception allowing the Manigurr-ma/Centre for National Resilience site to be used for temporary accommodation until 30 June 2031, and recent government documents and tenders show the territory has undertaken repairs and maintenance to keep the facility available.

Suburbs near Howard Springs

Some popular suburbs near Howard Springs include:

  • Virginia: Semi-rural feel with acreage blocks and open paddocks, close to Darwin.
  • Coolalinga: A regional commercial and transport centre serving surrounding rural suburbs.
  • Zuccoli: Newer master-planned estate with parks and modern housing, part of Palmerston.
  • Johnston: A modern residential suburb with family homes and nearby green spaces.
  • Bakewell: Established suburban area with mature trees, parks and local shops.

Common questions about Howard Springs

  • Is Howard Springs a nice place to live?

    Howard Springs is a semi-rural suburb on Darwin’s outskirts with a strong bushland character centred on Howard Springs Nature Park and its walking trails and spring-fed reserve. The area mixes suburban-sized blocks with larger rural-residential lots and hobby farms, where established gardens, mango and native trees give an outdoor-oriented, leafy feel. Residents lean towards a quieter, family-focused lifestyle with plenty of space and native birdlife, and a modest village atmosphere is supported by local community facilities and shops. Main roads provide straightforward connections to Palmerston and Darwin for wider services.

    About 3,153 people live in Howard Springs and the median age is 43. Families make up most households, and roughly five in six homes are owner-occupied rather than rented. The suburb also contains Manigurr-ma Village, repurposed as the Centre for National Resilience and maintained on standby, with an exception in the NT planning scheme allowing temporary accommodation there and recent repairs carried out to keep the facility available. Whether Howard Springs suits you will come down to how much you value space, bushland and a settled, family-weighted community with road access to nearby centres.

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  • Is it expensive to live in Howard Springs?

    House rents in Howard Springs average $735 a week. Against the typical local household income at the last Census of $2,560 a week, that rent would take about 28.7% of a typical local household's weekly income, a moderate share. If you're renting rather than buying, that rent share is the figure that matters.

    Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

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  • Is Howard Springs a good place to invest?

    The standout over the past 12 months is house prices. In Howard Springs, house values climbed 41.4%, a strong rise. House rents rose only marginally, up 0.7% over the same period, so capital growth in the house market has been the stronger performer this year. Whether that fits your investment goals depends on whether you prioritise capital growth or rental income and on your own circumstances.

    This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

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