New Norfolk

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

The population of New Norfolk is estimated at around 6,417 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 380 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,037 people. The increase is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 6,274 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 272 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 433 persons per square kilometer. The suburb's growth rate of 6.3% since the 2021 census exceeded both the SA3 area (2.4%) and the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 79.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, and Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year for areas not covered by ABS data. Moving forward with demographic trends, a population increase of just below the median is expected, with the suburb projected to expand by 660 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 9.0% in total over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within New Norfolk when compared nationally

New Norfolk has seen approximately 40 new homes approved annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Around 204 homes were approved between FY-21 and FY-25, with a further 9 approved in FY-26. Each dwelling accommodated an average of 2.4 new residents over the past five financial years.

New homes are constructed at an average value of $385,000, indicating a focus on premium market segment properties. This year has seen $2.8 million in commercial approvals, suggesting limited commercial development activity compared to Greater Hobart, where New Norfolk shows 51.0% higher development activity per capita. Building activity comprises predominantly detached houses (97.0%) with only 3.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character. With around 185 people per dwelling approval, New Norfolk exhibits characteristics of a low-density area.

Population forecasts indicate an increase of 575 residents by 2041, and current development rates should comfortably meet demand for new housing.

New Norfolk has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 30thth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified seven projects that could significantly impact the local area due to their influence on infrastructure changes. These include major initiatives like The Mills Precinct development, which encompasses the Noble Life New Norfolk Resort; the Derwent Valley Health and Wellbeing Hub; the expansion plans for The Agrarian Kitchen; and the Willow Court Heritage Precinct Redevelopment. Below is a list of projects deemed most relevant to the area's performance.

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

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

New Norfolk's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with prominent essential services sectors. As of September 2025, its unemployment rate was 8.4%. Over the past year, employment remained relatively stable.

Compared to Greater Hobart, New Norfolk has a higher unemployment rate (4.4% vs 4.0%) and lower workforce participation (55.4% vs 63.8%). Only 5.1% of residents work from home, with Covid-19 lockdown impacts considered. Key industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction stands out with employment levels at 1.5 times the regional average.

However, professional & technical services are under-represented (2.2% vs Greater Hobart's 6.6%). Local employment opportunities appear limited based on Census data comparison of working population versus resident population. Over a 12-month period ending September 2025, New Norfolk's labour force decreased by 0.8%, while employment remained stable at 0.0%, resulting in an unemployment rate drop of 0.7 percentage points. Greater Hobart saw an employment decline of 0.7% and a labour force decrease of 0.9%, with unemployment falling by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to New Norfolk's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The suburb of New Norfolk has an income level below the national average, according to latest Australian Taxation Office (ATO) data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in New Norfolk is $45,215, while the average income stands at $49,891. These figures compare to those of Greater Hobart, which are $54,577 and $65,190 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.6% since financial year 2023, current estimates for New Norfolk's median income would be approximately $49,556 and average income at $54,681 as of September 2025. The 2021 Census reports that household, family and personal incomes in New Norfolk fall between the 8th and 9th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 29.0% of the community (1,860 individuals) earn within the $400 - $799 range, differing from the regional trend where the $1,500 - $2,999 category is predominant at 32.2%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in New Norfolk, with only 83.2% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 9th percentile nationally.

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

New Norfolk's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 91.2% houses and 8.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Hobart metro's 85.3% houses and 14.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in New Norfolk stood at 31.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.6% and rented ones at 31.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,127, lower than Hobart metro's average of $1,517. Median weekly rent in New Norfolk was $290, compared to Hobart metro's $350. Nationally, New Norfolk's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,127 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

New Norfolk features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 68.0% of all households, including 22.5% couples with children, 26.9% couples without children, and 16.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 32.0%, with lone person households at 30.0% and group households comprising 2.0% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, aligning with the Greater Hobart average.

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

The area has university qualification rates of 10.1%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 32.8%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 6.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.0%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 37.3% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (6.9%) and certificates (30.4%). Educational participation is high at 27.5%, including primary education (12.3%), secondary education (7.6%), and tertiary education (2.4%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 27.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.3% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 2.4% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

New Norfolk faces significant health challenges, as assessed by AreaSearch through mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Multiple health conditions affect both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 47% of the total population (~3,012 people), compared to 51.7% in Greater Hobart and a national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 12.2% and 11.5% of residents respectively. However, 58.5% report no medical ailments, compared to 65.5% in Greater Hobart. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. New Norfolk has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 21.9%, or 1,405 people, compared to Greater Hobart's 19.9%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with national rankings for the general population.

The latest Census data sees New Norfolk placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

New Norfolk's cultural diversity is below average. Its population comprises 90.9% citizens and 92.2% born in Australia, with 97.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the prevalent religion, accounting for 44.1%.

Judaism, however, has no representation (0.0%) compared to Greater Hobart's 0.1%. The top three ancestral groups are English (37.1%, regional average: 31.8%), Australian (35.3%, regional average: 28.0%), and Irish (6.9%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation is higher at 4.8% compared to the regional average of 3.0%.

New Norfolk's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in New Norfolk is 40 years, similar to Greater Hobart's average of 39 years but somewhat older than Australia's 38 years. The 65-74 age group constitutes 12.1% of the population, higher than Greater Hobart's percentage, while the 25-34 cohort makes up 12.4%. Post-2021 Census data indicates that the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 11.7% to 13.4%, and the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 12.9% to 11.3%. Population forecasts for 2041 suggest significant demographic changes in New Norfolk, with the 75 to 84 age group expected to grow by 49% (224 people), reaching 680 from 455. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 59% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, the 0 to 4 and 25 to 34 cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.