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Northern Territory

Number of cars per household

Analysis of car ownership in 2021, indicates 45% of households in Northern Territory had access to two or more motor vehicles, compared to 57% in Western Australia.

The ability of the population to access services and employment is strongly influenced by access to transport. The number of motor vehicles per household in Northern Territory quantifies access to private transport and will be influenced by Age Structure and Household Type, which determine the number of adults present; access to Public Transport; distance to shops, services, employment and education; and Household Income. Depending on these factors, car ownership can be seen as a measure of advantage or disadvantage, or a neutral socio-economic measure, which impacts on the environment and quality of life.

Derived from the Census question:

'How many registered motor vehicles owned or used by residents of this dwelling were garaged or parked at or near this dwelling on the night of 10 August 2021?'

Households

Car ownership
Northern Territory - Households (Enumerated)20212001Change
Number of carsNumber%Western Australia %Number%Western Australia %2001 to 2021
No motor vehicles8,66610.24.88,73813.47.6-72
1 motor vehicle29,05234.033.224,44337.636.1+4,609
2 motor vehicles25,52129.937.017,94927.635.2+7,572
3 or more motor vehicles13,28115.619.56,2839.715.1+6,998
Not stated8,85210.45.47,64411.76.0+1,208

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2001 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).

Car ownership, 2021
Car ownership, 2021 Not stated, Western Australia: 5.4% 3 or more motor vehicles, Western Australia: 19.5% 2 motor vehicles, Western Australia: 37.0% 1 motor vehicle, Western Australia: 33.2% No motor vehicles, Western Australia: 4.8% Not stated, Northern Territory: 10.4% 3 or more motor vehicles, Northern Territory: 15.6% 2 motor vehicles, Northern Territory: 29.9% 1 motor vehicle, Northern Territory: 34.0% No motor vehicles, Northern Territory: 10.2%
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing, 2021 (Enumerated data)
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Change in car ownership, 2001 to 2021
Change in car ownership, 2001 to 2021 Not stated, Northern Territory: +1,208 3 or more motor vehicles, Northern Territory: +6,998 2 motor vehicles, Northern Territory: +7,572 1 motor vehicle, Northern Territory: +4,609 No motor vehicles, Northern Territory: -72
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing, 2001 and 2021 (Enumerated data)
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).

Dominant groups

Analysis of the car ownership of the households in Northern Territory in 2021 compared to Western Australia shows that 79.5% of the households owned at least one car, while 10.2% did not, compared with 89.8% and 4.8% respectively in Western Australia.

Of those that owned at least one vehicle, there was a larger proportion who owned just one car; a smaller proportion who owned two cars; and a smaller proportion who owned three cars or more.

Overall, 34.0% of the households owned one car; 29.9% owned two cars; and 15.6% owned three cars or more, compared with 33.2%; 37.0% and 19.5% respectively for Western Australia.

Emerging groups

The largest changes in the household car ownership in Northern Territory between 2001 and 2021 were:

  • 2 motor vehicles (+7,572 households)
  • 3 or more motor vehicles (+6,998 households)
  • 1 motor vehicle (+4,609 households)
  • No motor vehicles (-72 households)

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