Hobart

Hobart lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, the estimated population of Hobart as of Nov 2025 is around 3,698. This reflects an increase of 308 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,390 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 3,653 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and an additional 135 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,621 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Hobart's growth rate of 9.1% since the 2021 census exceeded that of the SA3 area (2.3%) and the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and to estimate growth by age group post-2032, Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Future population trends suggest an increase just below the median of national statistical areas, with the suburb expected to increase by 303 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 6.1% in total over the 17 years.

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

Hobart has experienced around 27 dwelling approvals per year on average over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 135 homes. In FY-26 so far, 4 approvals have been recorded. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 1.3 people moved to the area for each dwelling built annually. The average construction cost of new dwellings is $571,000.

This financial year has seen $8.0 million in commercial approvals. Compared to Greater Hobart, Hobart shows 175.0% higher construction activity per person. New development consists of 6.0% standalone homes and 94.0% attached dwellings. The latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate projects Hobart adding 224 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Future projections show Hobart adding 224 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Hobart has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 23rdth percentile nationally

The performance of a region is significantly impacted by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 25 such projects that could affect this area. Notable ones include Royal Hobart Hospital Redevelopment - Stage 2, Royal Hobart Hospital Emergency Department Expansion, In The Hanging Garden Cultural Precinct, and the Hobart City Deal. Relevant projects are listed below.

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.

AreaSearch assessment indicates Hobart faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Hobart's workforce is highly educated with well-represented essential services sectors. The unemployment rate as of June 2025 was 8.9%, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

There were 1,992 residents employed while the unemployment rate was 4.7% higher than Greater Hobart's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation was lower at 57.2% compared to Greater Hobart's 61.6%. The dominant employment sectors among residents included health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. Notably, the area showed strong specialization in accommodation & food with an employment share of 2.2 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction had lower representation at 2.7% compared to the regional average of 8.7%. The area functioned as an employment hub with 8.7 workers per resident, hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Over the 12 months to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.1%, while employment declined by 2.3%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. This contrasted with Greater Hobart where employment contracted by 1.5%, the labour force fell 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 Hobart's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, although this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not account for localised population projections.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Hobart had a median taxpayer income of $41,843 and an average of $58,084 in financial year 2022. This was lower than the national average, with Greater Hobart's median income being $51,272 and average income being $63,777. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income would be approximately $47,630 and the average $66,117, based on a 13.83% growth in wages since financial year 2022. According to census data, household, family, and personal incomes in Hobart rank modestly, between the 22nd and 33rd percentiles. Income distribution shows that 29.6% of individuals (1,094 people) earn between $1,500 - 2,999 annually, which is similar to regional levels at 32.2%. Housing affordability in Hobart is severe, with only 78.0% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 25th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Hobart features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Hobart, as per the latest Census evaluation, 19.1% were houses with the remaining 80.8% being other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This contrasts with Hobart metro's dwelling structure which comprised 69.2% houses and 30.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Hobart stood at 16.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 12.7% and rented ones at 70.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,848, higher than the Hobart metro average of $1,800. The median weekly rent in Hobart was recorded at $380 compared to Hobart metro's $390. Nationally, Hobart's median monthly mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 43.5% of all households, including 8.2% that are couples with children, 27.9% that are couples without children, and 6.3% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 56.5%, with lone person households at 40.6% and group households comprising 15.8%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Greater Hobart average of 2.3.

The educational profile of Hobart exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

In Hobart, 53.4% of residents aged 15 years and above have university qualifications, compared to 25.5% in Tasmania and 30.4% nationally. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 30.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (20.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational pathways account for 18.7%, with advanced diplomas at 7.7% and certificates at 11.0%. Current educational participation is high, with 44.0% of residents enrolled in formal education: 29.4% in tertiary, 2.8% in secondary, and 2.6% in primary.

Hobart has a robust network of six schools educating approximately 2,372 students, with an above-average socio-educational condition index (ICSEA) of 1059. The educational mix includes one primary, two secondary, and three K-12 schools. As an education hub, Hobart has 64.1 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 22.7, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Hobart has 41 active public transport stops in operation, all serving buses. These stops are covered by 86 different routes, offering a total of 9,873 weekly passenger trips. The city's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents on average located 130 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 1,410 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 240 weekly trips per individual stop.

Hobart's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Hobart's health metrics are close to national benchmarks. Common health conditions among its general population are somewhat typical but higher than the national average for older cohorts. Approximately 50% of Hobart's total population (~1,856 people) has private health cover, compared to 58.9% in Greater Hobart and a national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues impact 12.6% of residents, while asthma affects 6.3%. 69.6% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, similar to the 69.8% in Greater Hobart. As of 2021, 14.1% of residents are aged 65 and over (521 people), lower than the 18.8% in Greater Hobart. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those for the broader population.

Hobart is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Hobart's cultural diversity is notable, with 35.1% speaking a language other than English at home and 43.6% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Hobart, accounting for 28.1%. Buddhism's representation is significantly higher compared to Greater Hobart, at 5.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (24.2%), Australian (17.9%), and Chinese (13.3%), which exceeds the regional average of 6.2%. Certain ethnicities show notable differences: Korean (0.8% vs 0.4%), Sri Lankan (0.5% vs 0.2%), and Vietnamese (1.1% vs 0.5%).

Hobart hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Hobart's median age is 31, which is younger than Greater Hobart's 39 and Australia's 38 years. Compared to Greater Hobart, Hobart has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (30.4%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (3.3%). This 25-34 concentration is notably higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the population aged 15 to 24 has increased from 22.0% to 23.6%, while the 55 to 64 cohort has decreased from 7.7% to 6.0% and the 25 to 34 group has dropped from 31.6% to 30.4%. Population forecasts for Hobart in 2041 suggest significant demographic changes, with the strongest projected growth in the 45 to 54 age group (40%), adding 103 residents to reach a total of 362. Conversely, both the 65 to 74 and 35 to 44 age groups are expected to have reduced numbers.