[2] Palmerston had a population of 33,695 at the 2016 census, making it the second largest city in the Northern Territory.

Palmerston was the name chosen in 1864[4] for the capital of the Northern Territory by the South Australian Government, which was then responsible for its administration, in recognition of Lord Palmerston, who became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1855.

[5] The first site, as chosen by Boyle Travers Finniss at Escape Cliffs[6] near the mouth of the Adelaide River, on the coast of Adam Bay on the western side of the Cape Hotham peninsula in 1864,[7] was abandoned in 1867 and a second laid out by Surveyor-General George Goyder near Port Darwin in 1869.

The decision to proceed with the development was made in 1980 and for the third time, the name of Palmerston was selected for the new city.

[12] In 1995/1996 the construction commenced on 5 new Palmerston suburbs, Rosebery, Bakewell, Durack, Gunn, and Farrar.

Since then, other suburbs have been registered and remain in various stages of development, including Archer (2001), Bellamack (2001), Johnston (2007), Zuccoli (2007) and Mitchell (2007).

Further developments have occurred leading to the creation of the suburbs of Rosebery, Bakewell, Gunn, Durack and more recently Farrar, Bellamack, Johnston, Zuccoli and Mitchell.

Palmerston has a tropical savannah climate (Aw) like Darwin with distinct wet and dry seasons.

The majority of rainfall occurs between December and March when thunderstorms are common and humidity is regularly over 80 per cent.

Palmerston recorded the fastest increase of population of all the local government areas in the Northern Territory.

Unlike Darwin, the city is not divided into wards and all councillors are elected at-large.

The district of Spillett is located mostly within Palmerston, but its area reaches up to eastern Darwin.

Historically, Palmerston has been a bastion of conservatism, with Country Liberal Party candidates usually winning by wide margins.

The Palmerston Shopping Centre contains over 69 businesses including a Coles Supermarket, and the discount department store Target.

Stage 1 of the new Gateway Shopping Centre has numerous specialty stores including Big W, Best & Less, and Woolworths.

Stage 2 includes the Pavilions Dining and Entertainment area, as well as Gateway Home—which opened in early 2018.

The Charles Darwin University Palmerston campus is located in the suburb of Durack.

The campus hosts the School of Tourism and Hospitality as well as expanding into a mini-School of Conservation and Land Management.

[29] The Palmerston Raiders Rugby League team are based at Goodline Park in the Southern suburbs.

There is also a boat ramp allowing access to the Elizabeth River for small trail-able marine craft.

Persons utilising the area are cautioned that both box jellyfish and crocodiles are present in the river.

Palmerston Golf and Country Club has a full 18-hole design with the Northern Territory PGA Championship held there.

Most large statewide and interstate newspapers are also available from local retailers, albeit with a delay in arrival.

Palmerston also receives radio and television services sourced from transmitters located in the Darwin region.

Pay television is also available through satellite, fixed cable and IPTV from various providers, such as Foxtel and Fetch.

There are seven general practices in the Palmerston health region, four of which provide after-hours services.