Devonport

Devonport is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of November 2025, Devonport's population is estimated at around 14,902 people. This reflects an increase of 421 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,481 people. The latest estimate by AreaSearch, based on examination of the ABS ERP data release from June 2024 and validation of new addresses, indicates a resident population of 14,850 for Devonport. This level of population results in a density ratio of 1,448 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Devonport's growth rate since the census, at 2.9%, is within 1.9 percentage points of the state's growth rate of 4.8%. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains in recent periods for the suburb.

For future projections up to 2032, AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. After 2032, Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used, adjusted employing weighted aggregation methods. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, Devonport is expected to expand by 239 persons to reach approximately 15,141 people by 2041, reflecting an increase of 1.2% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Devonport according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Devonport had around 33 residential properties approved per year on average over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 169 homes. As of FY-26, four approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.1 people moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a balanced supply and demand. This figure has eased to -1.6 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, reflecting improved supply availability. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $504,000, which is moderately above regional levels.

Commercial approvals this year totalled $70.8 million, suggesting strong local business investment. Recent construction comprises 90% standalone homes and 10% townhouses or apartments, preserving Devonport's suburban nature with a focus on detached housing.

With around 646 people per approval, Devonport shows signs of maturity and established population. Population forecasts indicate Devonport will gain 177 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Given current development patterns, new housing supply is expected to meet demand, offering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.

Devonport has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 31stth percentile nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 19 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Devonport Mental Health Hub, Devonport Oval Sports Complex, Devonport Showground Housing Development, and Spirit of Tasmania New Vessels and Port Upgrade. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment performance in Devonport has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Devonport's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented with an unemployment rate of 5.8% as of June 2025.

Over the past year, employment grew by 2.6%. The area has 6,720 residents in work, with an unemployment rate 1.8% higher than Rest of Tas.'s rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of Tas.'s 55.7%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.

Retail trade is particularly specialized, with employment share at 1.2 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence, at 5.7% compared to 8.4% regionally. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 2.6%, labour force by 2.1%, reducing unemployment by 0.5 percentage points. Rest of Tas., however, saw employment and labour force declines, with marginal unemployment reduction. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Devonport's employment mix suggests local growth should be around 6.1% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

Devonport's median income among taxpayers was $45,757 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $54,000 during the same period. This compares to figures for Rest of Tas., which had a median income of $47,358 and an average income of $57,384. By September 2025, current estimates project Devonport's median income to be approximately $52,085 and the average income to reach $61,468, based on a 13.83% growth in wages since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Devonport fall between the 7th and 14th percentiles nationally. In Devonport, 28.6% of individuals earn between $400 and $799, whereas across regional levels, the dominant earnings band is $1,500 to $2,999 at 28.5%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Devonport, with only 84.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 8th percentile nationally.

Devonport is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Devonport's housing structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 83.4% houses and 16.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Non-Metro Tas., on the other hand, had no recorded houses or other dwellings at that time. Home ownership in Devonport stood at 34.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.9% and rented ones at 37.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,192, matching Non-Metro Tas.'s average, while the median weekly rent was $250, compared to Non-Metro Tas.'s figures of $0 for both. Nationally, Devonport's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Devonport features high concentrations of lone person households, with a median household size of 2.2 people

Family households constitute 61.3% of all households, including 20.2% couples with children, 25.8% couples without children, and 14.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 38.7%, with lone person households at 35.5% and group households comprising 3.2%. The median household size is 2.2 people.

Devonport faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The university qualification rate in Devonport is 16.2%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 38.2% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas (9.3%) and certificates (28.9%). Educational participation is high, with 25.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.2% in primary education, 7.2% in secondary education, and 2.5% pursuing tertiary education. Devonport has a robust network of 9 schools educating approximately 3,599 students, with varied educational conditions (ICSEA: 944). Educational provision is split between 4 primary and 5 secondary institutions. The area has strong educational infrastructure, with 24.2 school places per 100 residents serving both local and surrounding communities.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

The analysis of public transport in Devonport shows that there are two active transport stops currently operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with four individual routes providing service collectively resulting in 1653 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to these transport services is rated as limited, with residents typically located approximately 1592 meters away from the nearest stop.

The average frequency of service across all routes is 236 trips per day, which equates to around 826 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Devonport is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Devonport faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 49% of the total population (~7,236 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 11.7% and 10.8% of residents respectively. Conversely, 59.3% of residents claim to be free from medical ailments, unlike Rest of Tas., where no residents reported being completely clear of medical conditions. Devonport has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 24.0% (3,576 people), compared to the national average. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges similar to those faced by the general population.

Devonport is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Devonport's population, surveyed in June 2016, showed low cultural diversity: 89.9% were citizens, 88.0% born Australian, and 93.5% spoke English only at home. Christianity dominated, with 41.8%. Judaism was overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to None% in Rest of Tas.

Top ancestry groups were English (34.4%), Australian (33.2%), and Irish (7.1%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal were overrepresented at 4.7% (vs None% regionally), as were Vietnamese at 0.3% (vs None%) and Korean at 0.1% (vs None%).

Devonport hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Devonport has a median age of 43 years, which is slightly below Rest of Tas.'s 45 but considerably higher than the national average of 38. Compared to the Rest of Tas. average, Devonport has a notably over-represented cohort of 25-34 year-olds (13.5%) and under-represented 65-74 year-olds (11.3%). Between 2021 and present, the 35 to 44 age group grew from 10.9% to 12.0%, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 8.1% to 9.2%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort declined from 12.2% to 11.3%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Devonport's age profile will change significantly. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to increase by 296 people (22%), from 1,370 to 1,667. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 78% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 cohorts.