Glenorchy (Tas.)

Population growth drivers in Glenorchy are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Glenorchy (Tas.) is around 12,110. This figure reflects an increase of 97 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,013. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 12,063 in Jun 2024 and the validation of 88 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,167 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across other locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Glenorchy has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%, outpacing its SA3 area. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered and post-2032 estimations, Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted with adjustments made using a method of weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Looking ahead, population projections indicate an increase just below the median of national areas by 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, Glenorchy is expected to expand by 1,017 persons, reflecting an overall gain of 8.0% 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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, derived from statistical area data, indicates Glenorchy has averaged approximately 30 new homes approved annually. Between FY21 and FY25, about 153 homes were approved, with an additional 24 approved so far in FY26. Over the past five financial years, an average of 0.6 people have moved to the area per dwelling built.

New construction has been matching or outpacing demand, offering buyers more options and potentially enabling population growth that exceeds current expectations. The average expected construction cost value for new homes is $310,000. This financial year, $91.7 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Hobart, Glenorchy shows around 56% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 17th percentile nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing properties.

Recent construction comprises 75.0% standalone homes and 25.0% attached dwellings, sustaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. Glenorchy has around 930 people per approval, indicating a mature, established area. Future projections show Glenorchy adding approximately 970 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Development is keeping pace with projected growth, though buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

Glenorchy has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 48thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 30 projects that could impact the area. Notable ones 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 likely to be 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 has an educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate is 6.7%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of September 2025, 5,744 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.7% higher than Greater Hobart's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation in Glenorchy stands at 60.2%, compared to Greater Hobart's 63.8%. Census responses reveal that only 4.6% of residents work from home, with Covid-19 lockdown impacts considered. Key employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. Retail trade is notably concentrated, with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

Conversely, education & training has lower representation at 6.7% compared to the regional average of 10.8%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over a 12-month period ending in May-25, labour force decreased by 1.1%, employment declined by 0.9%, and unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage points in Glenorchy. In Greater Hobart, employment fell by 0.7%, labour force contracted by 0.9%, and unemployment fell by 0.2 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years nationally. Applying these projections to Glenorchy's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

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 2023 shows Glenorchy's median income among taxpayers is $47,093, with an average of $51,109. This is lower than the national average. Greater Hobart's median income is $54,577 and average is $65,190. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.6% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Glenorchy would be approximately $51,614 (median) and $56,015 (average) as of September 2025. The 2021 Census shows household, family and personal incomes in Glenorchy fall between the 9th and 13th percentiles nationally. In Glenorchy, 27.4% of individuals earn between $1,500 - 2,999, similar to the metropolitan region's 32.2%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Glenorchy, with only 80.0% of income remaining, ranking at the 8th percentile.

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

Glenorchy's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 78.2% houses and 21.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Hobart metro's 85.3% houses and 14.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Glenorchy was at 26.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.9% and rented ones at 45.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,300, below Hobart metro's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent figure in Glenorchy was $320, compared to Hobart metro's $350. 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 constitute 59.8% of all households, including 20.9% couples with children, 22.2% couples without children, and 15.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 40.2%, with lone person households at 35.6% and group households making up 4.4%. 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 Trail's residents aged 15+ have 27.0% university degrees, compared to the SA4 region's 32.8%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (10.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are held by 30.2%, including advanced diplomas (8.1%) and certificates (22.1%). Current educational participation is high, with 28.9% enrolled in formal education: primary (8.1%), secondary (6.2%), and tertiary (5.1%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.1% in primary education, 6.2% in secondary education, and 5.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Glenorchy has 90 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 179 individual routes that collectively facilitate 12,256 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 178 meters from the nearest transport stop. Most Glenorchy residents commute outward daily. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 83%, while bus usage stands at 11%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 4.6% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 1,750 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 136 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Glenorchy is well below average with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Glenorchy faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment completed on 15th March 2021. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 47% of the total population (around 5,743 people), compared to 51.7% in Greater Hobart and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common conditions, affecting 10.9% and 10.3% of residents respectively. However, 64.2% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 65.5% in Greater Hobart. Working-age residents face notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Glenorchy has 18.4% of residents aged 65 and over (2,228 people), lower than the 19.9% in Greater Hobart. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly inline with the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Glenorchy was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Glenorchy's population showed higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 29.4% born overseas and 27.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Glenorchy, comprising 39.8%. Hinduism's representation was notably high at 11.0%, significantly higher than Greater Hobart's average of 2.8%.

In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (27.2%), Australian (25.5%), and Other (17.0%), which was substantially higher than the regional average of 7.4%. Some ethnic groups showed notable variations: Polish at 0.8% in Glenorchy compared to 0.8% regionally, Australian Aboriginal at 4.2% versus 3.0%, and Indian at 2.7% versus 1.2%.

Glenorchy's population is younger than the national pattern

Glenorchy's median age is 34 years, which is lower than Greater Hobart's average of 39 years and the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Hobart, Glenorchy has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (21.1%) but fewer residents aged 45-54 (9.0%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.4%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the proportion of Glenorchy's population aged 35 to 44 has increased from 12.2% to 15.7%, while the proportion of those aged 55 to 64 has decreased from 10.8% to 9.5%. The proportion of residents aged 45 to 54 has also dropped, from 10.2% to 9.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Glenorchy's age profile. The 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 62%, adding 680 residents to reach a total of 1,770. Conversely, both the 55-64 and 65-74 age groups are expected to see reductions in their numbers.