Glenorchy (Tas.)

Population growth drivers in Glenorchy are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Nov 2025, Glenorchy's population is estimated at around 12,093 people. This reflects an increase of 80 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,013 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 12,059 following examination of the latest ERP data release by ABS in June 2024 and an additional 86 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,166 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Glenorchy has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered, Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Looking at population projections moving forward, Glenorchy is expected to expand by 1,017 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 8.2% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Glenorchy, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, Glenorchy had approximately 30 new homes approved annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 152 homes were approved, with an additional 23 approved so far in FY-26. Over the past five financial years, on average, 0.6 people moved to Glenorchy for each dwelling built.

This suggests that new construction is keeping pace with demand, offering more housing options and enabling population growth. The average value of new homes being constructed was $310,000, below the regional average, indicating more affordable housing options. In FY-26, there have been $110.1 million in commercial approvals, reflecting strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Hobart, Glenorchy shows approximately 56% of construction activity per person.

Nationally, it ranks at the 16th percentile for areas assessed, suggesting relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing properties. Recent construction in Glenorchy comprises 75.0% standalone homes and 25.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. With around 1007 people per approval, Glenorchy indicates a mature, established area. Future projections show Glenorchy adding approximately 988 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Development appears to be keeping reasonable pace with projected growth, though buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

Glenorchy has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 21stth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 30 projects likely to affect the area. Key projects include Homes Tasmania Social Housing Program, MONA Hotel Development, Homes Tasmania Affordable Housing Units - Glenorchy, and Glenorchy War Memorial Pool Redevelopment. 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.

The labour market performance in Glenorchy lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Glenorchy's workforce is well-educated with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 6.8% as per AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data.

By June 2025, 5771 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was higher by 2.7 percentage points compared to Greater Hobart's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation in Glenorchy was lower at 57.1% versus Greater Hobart's 61.6%. Leading employment industries among residents included health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food services. Retail trade had notably high concentration with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

Conversely, education & training showed lower representation at 6.7% compared to the regional average of 10.8%. Many Glenorchy residents commuted elsewhere for work based on Census working population data. Between Jun-24 and Jul-25, labour force decreased by 1.7% while employment declined by the same percentage in Glenorchy. Unemployment remained essentially unchanged during this period. In Greater Hobart, employment fell by 1.5%, labour force contracted by 1.6%, and unemployment fell by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Glenorchy's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Glenorchy's median income among taxpayers is $47,093. The average income is $51,109. This is lower than the national average. In Greater Hobart, the median income is $51,272 and the average is $63,777. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Glenorchy would be approximately $53,606 (median) and $58,177 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Glenorchy fall between the 9th and 13th percentiles nationally. In income distribution, 27.4% of Glenorchy residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 (3,313 individuals), similar to the metropolitan region where 32.2% fall into this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Glenorchy, with only 80.0% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 8th percentile nationally.

Glenorchy is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Glenorchy's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, were 78.2% houses and 21.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Hobart metro's 83.1% houses and 17.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Glenorchy stood at 26.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.9% and rented at 45.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, aligning with Hobart metro's average, while the median weekly rent was $320, matching Hobart metro's figure. Nationally, Glenorchy's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Glenorchy features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 59.8 percent of all households, including 20.9 percent couples with children, 22.2 percent couples without children, and 15.1 percent single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 40.2 percent, with lone person households at 35.6 percent and group households comprising 4.4 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Hobart average of 2.4.

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

Glenorchy's educational qualifications trail regional benchmarks; 27.0% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees compared to the SA4 region's 32.8%. This gap suggests potential for educational development and skills enhancement. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (10.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 30.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 8.1% and certificates at 22.1%.

Educational participation is high; 28.9% of residents are currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary (8.1%), secondary (6.2%), and tertiary (5.1%) levels. Glenorchy's five schools have a combined enrollment of 2,562 students as of the latest data. The area has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 953) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes one primary, three secondary, and one K-12 school. School capacity exceeds residential needs, with 21.2 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 14.5, indicating Glenorchy serves as an educational center for the broader region.

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

Analysis of Glenorchy's public transport shows 91 active stops operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totalling 116 individual routes. Collectively, these routes facilitate 10,340 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 178 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 1,477 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 113 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Glenorchy is well below average with considerably higher than average prevalence of common health conditions and to an even higher degree among older age cohorts

Glenorchy faces significant health challenges with a higher prevalence of common conditions compared to averages. Among older age cohorts, this prevalence is even higher.

Private health cover stands at approximately 47% (around 5,735 people), lower than the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 10.9% and 10.3% respectively. Around 64.2% claim to be free from medical ailments, slightly higher than Greater Hobart's 63.7%. Glenorchy has 18.3% of residents aged 65 and over (2,213 people). Health outcomes among seniors require particular attention due to the challenges faced by this cohort.

Glenorchy was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Glenorchy had a higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 29.4% of its population born overseas and 27.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Glenorchy, making up 39.8% of its population. Hinduism was notably overrepresented, comprising 11.0%, significantly higher than the Greater Hobart average of 5.8%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (27.2%), Australian (25.5%), and Other (17.0%), which was substantially higher than the regional average of 10.6%. There were also notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Polish at 0.8% (compared to 0.8% regionally), Australian Aboriginal at 4.2% (vs 4.0%), and Indian at 2.7% (vs 1.9%).

Glenorchy's population is younger than the national pattern

Glenorchy's median age is 34 years, which is considerably lower than the Greater Hobart average of 39 years and substantially under the Australian median of 38 years. Relative to Greater Hobart, Glenorchy has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (21.5%) but fewer residents aged 45-54 (9.1%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 35 to 44 has grown from 12.2% to 15.2%, while the 45 to 54 age group has declined from 10.2% to 9.1%. Demographic modeling suggests that Glenorchy's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to grow strongly, adding 670 residents to reach 1,771, an increase of 61%. In contrast, both the 25-34 and 65-74 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers by that year.