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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Penguin has an estimated 4,250 residents, up from 4,132 at the 2021 Census — a change of 118 people, or 2.9%. Density is about 94 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Demographic updates from the ABS for surrounding regions, combined with 99 validated new addresses registered since the Census, indicate the suburb of Penguin has an estimated population of around 4,250 as of Aug 2026. This marks an expansion of 118 people (2.9%) compared to the 4,132 residents recorded at the 2021 Census. AreaSearch arrived at this figure after reviewing the ABS ERP release from June 2025, which placed the resident total at 4,212. With 94 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers ample space alongside capacity for subsequent development. Over the preceding ten-year timeframe, the suburb of Penguin has sustained a steady compound annual growth rate of 0.6%, exceeding the broader SA3 area.
Interstate migration formed the primary pillar of local population gains by contributing roughly 59.0% of recent additions, alongside positive contributions from natural increase and overseas arrivals. Projections utilize ABS and Geoscience Australia datasets released in 2024 using 2022 baseline figures for SA2 regions. For locations outside this scope, as well as age distribution modeling beyond 2032, Tasmania State Government Regional and LGA forecasts from 2022 (based on 2021) are applied using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 geographies. Based on these projections, the suburb of Penguin is set to experience an overall contraction of 222 persons by 2041. In contrast to this broader contraction, selected age demographics are expected to expand, particularly residents aged 75 to 84, who are forecast to increase by 118 people. Details regarding specific age brackets are outlined in the corresponding section.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
104 new dwellings have been approved in Penguin over the past five years, an average of 20 a year. That is 4.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 13, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Statistical building approval records compiled by AreaSearch indicate that Penguin averages roughly 20 approved residential units annually, accumulating to 104 homes across the preceding 5 financial years. Within FY-25 to date, 13 approvals have been logged. With an average of only 1 new residents per year per dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, residential construction comfortably keeps pace with local requirements, expanding purchaser selection and facilitating prospective growth. The expected construction cost averages $463,000 per dwelling, exceeding regional norms and indicating higher-specification builds. Additionally, $20.4 million across commercial building approvals has been logged this financial year, pointing to moderate non-residential development.
Relative to Rest of Tas., building activity in Penguin is 17.0% above regional average per person over the 5 year period, maintaining healthy stock availability while underpinning market demand despite a moderation in construction momentum across recent periods. Furthermore, all recent approvals have been for detached houses, reinforcing the low-density neighborhood structure centered around spacious family residences. A ratio of approximately 292 people per dwelling approval reflects this low-density character. Given that the local population is projected to stabilize or decline, housing pressure within Penguin is anticipated to ease, potentially opening up advantageous avenues for incoming purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Penguin
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 9 current infrastructure and development projects inside Penguin, worth an estimated $67 million. A further 38 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $1.54 billion. 13 are already under construction and 13 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and sports & recreation. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Urban development, capital works, and local planning frameworks play a central role in shaping regional performance. AreaSearch has pinpointed 9 distinct infrastructure projects expected to influence the locality. Prominent initiatives encompass the Dial Regional Sports Complex Infrastructure Upgrades, the Ironcliffe Road Upgrade Project, the Penguin Town Centre Masterplan, and the Frith Street, Penguin Water Main Renewal, with major works itemized in the accompanying register.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Dial Regional Sports Complex Infrastructure Upgrades
The Tasmanian Government has committed AUD 25 million to upgrade the Dial Regional Sports Complex at Penguin to AFL Tier 4 venue standard. Planning and concept design are progressing under Central Coast Council following transfer of project delivery from Infrastructure Tasmania. Proposed improvements include expanded spectator seating, upgraded player and medical facilities, broadcast infrastructure, electrical and communications upgrades, and improved amenities to support elite AFL, AFLW and community sporting events.
Ironcliffe Road Upgrade Project
A comprehensive upgrade of 8.6km of Ironcliffe Road, funded by the Australian Government's Remote Roads Upgrade Pilot Program and the Central Coast Council. The project is divided into three sections and aims to improve road safety, local traffic flow, and access to schools, sports venues, and tourist destinations.
Penguin Town Centre Masterplan & Housing Strategy
A dual-stream planning initiative led by Central Coast Council and Homes Tasmania to guide the long-term revitalisation and housing growth of Penguin, Tasmania. The Our Homes - Our Future Housing Strategy, formally endorsed by Council in May 2025, establishes a 20-year framework for housing growth across four structure plan areas including Penguin, with planning scheme amendments to the Tasmanian Planning Scheme underway. Concurrently, Homes Tasmania is pursuing rezoning of the former Penguin Recreation Ground at 1 Ironcliffe Road from Recreational to General Residential, with a submission lodged with the State Planning Office in November 2025 for a mixed-tenure residential development of 45 lots.Building heights are limited to two storeys. The broader masterplan also includes foreshore re-greening, main street improvements, and activation of key public buildings and sites.
Frith Street, Penguin Water Main Renewal
TasWater is renewing the water main on Frith Street in Penguin to improve the reliability and quality of the water supply. The existing cast iron main from 1953 is being replaced with a new PVC-O main.
Penguin Jetty Maintenance
The Central Coast Council is undertaking maintenance on the Penguin Jetty to ensure public safety. The jetty is currently closed to the public while repairs are being carried out to extend its lifespan. A long-term plan for the jetty will be developed in consultation with the community.
Penguin District School Redevelopment
A $20 million redevelopment of the Penguin District School, bringing together the primary and secondary campuses onto a single site. The project included new buildings, upgraded facilities, a performing arts complex, and a gymnasium.
Penguin Foreshore Remediation and Upgrade Project
A $6.5 million project to protect the Penguin foreshore began in August 2020. The project includes building and improving the wave-break wall to protect against coastal erosion and improve beach access.
1 Ironcliffe Road Residential Development
A residential development by Homes Tasmania to provide a mix of housing options, including affordable housing and lots for sale. The project is currently in the planning and community consultation phase, with the number of proposed lots reduced from 55 to 45 based on feedback.
2,087 residents of Penguin are employed, from a labour force of 2,156. Unemployment sits at 3.2%, with participation at 59.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,519, about 83% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Penguin maintains a capable labour market featuring strong representation across vital public service sectors, an unemployment rate sitting at 3.2%, and an estimated 3.1% annual rise in job counts according to aggregated statistical data. As of March 2026, 2,087 residents are employed, keeping the local jobless rate 0.7% below Regional Tas.'s benchmark of 3.9%, with workforce participation aligning closely with the 58.7% recorded across Regional Tas.. Furthermore, only 8.2% of workers performed their duties from home during the Census, an outcome potentially shaped by Covid-19 restrictions. Local workforce concentration centers heavily on health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction.
The area displays a distinct concentration in education & training, where representation reaches 1.3 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for 4.9% of local employment, well below the regional standard of 8.4%. When matching resident employee figures against the working population tally from the Census, the locality presents fewer on-site job opportunities within its own boundaries. SALM and ABS datasets synthesized by AreaSearch show that over the 12-month period, local employment expanded by 3.1% while the labour force expanded by 3.2%, holding the jobless rate stable. Across Regional Tas., employment grew by 1.8% and the workforce increased by 1.7%, resulting in a slight decline. Five- and ten-year national employment projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 provide additional context on future workforce requirements when mapped against Penguin's occupational structure. Nationwide employment is projected to expand by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, with sectoral outcomes varying widely. Applying these industry growth distributions suggests local employment could lift by 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, representing a baseline weighted extrapolation that does not incorporate specific demographic projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Penguin is $1,301 a week (about $68,000 a year), with median personal income at $657 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $47,925 a year against an average of $58,054. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO figures aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place taxpayer earnings in the suburb of Penguin below the national benchmark. Median taxpayer earnings stand at $47,925 while the average is $58,054, relative to $49,689 and $59,358 across Regional Tas.. Factoring in an Wage Price Index growth of 10.95% since financial year 2023, updated estimates suggest a median of $53,173 and an average of $64,411 as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census places personal, family, and household earnings within the 20th and 20th percentiles nationwide. The dominant earnings cohort consists of 1,253 residents (29.5%) receiving $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, which aligns with the regional proportion of 28.5%.
Although accommodation expenses absorb a limited share, leaving 87.1% of income retained, net disposable earnings rank at the 24th percentile across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Penguin had 1,655 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 91% detached houses and 0% apartments. 37% are owned with a mortgage, 22% rented and 41% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $260 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 20.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, standalone dwellings accounted for 91.0% of residential property in Penguin, while semi-detached dwellings, apartments, and other configurations made up 8.9%, compared with 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings across Regional Tas.. Outright ownership reached 41.3%, matching the regional proportion, while 37.1% held a mortgage and 21.7% were renting. Median housing repayments were recorded at $1,300 per month for mortgages and $260 per week for rents, both slightly above Regional Tas. levels of $1,274 and $250. When viewed nationally, Penguin remains substantially more affordable than the Australian average of $1,863 for monthly mortgages and $375 for weekly rents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Penguin counted 1,655 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 25% are couples with children, against 33% couples without children. 30% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 68.1% of all local households, divided between couples without children at 32.7%, couples with children at 24.5%, and single parent families at 10.6%. The remaining 31.9% comprises non-family living arrangements, with lone person households representing 29.7% and group dwellings accounting for 1.9%. The median household size is 2.3 people, identical to the standard across Regional Tas..
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
19.4% of adults in Penguin hold a university qualification, including 13.5% with a bachelor degree and 3.6% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 31.0% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 761 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 986 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Attainment figures show that 19.4% of residents hold higher education degrees, lagging behind the nationwide benchmark of 30.4% and highlighting scope for further educational development. Bachelor degrees constitute 13.5% of qualifications, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.6% and graduate diplomas at 2.3%. In contrast, vocational and technical pathways are prominent, with 40.4% of the population aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, broken down into certificates (31.0%) and advanced diplomas (9.4%). Engagement in formal study is strong, with 26.1% of the population currently attending an educational institution. This comprises 10.8% enrolled in primary education, 7.5% attending secondary school, and 3.3% undertaking tertiary coursework.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Penguin reaches 19 stops on 54 routes, timetabled for about 3,200 services a week. The typical home sits about 340 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport connectivity in Penguin is supported by 19 operational stops, consisting of bus services. These facilities are linked by 54 individual transit routes, generating 3,150 scheduled passenger services every week. Accessibility across the area is favorable, with the typical resident situated 344 meters from their nearest transit departure point. Outward commuting characterizes the suburb, with personal vehicles remaining the primary transport mode for 96% of journeys, supported by an average of 1.6 vehicles per household. At the 2021 Census, only 8.2% of residents worked from home, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 settings.
Transit services operate at an average rate of 450 daily departures across the local network, translating to roughly 165 weekly trips per stop location.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
61.3% of residents in Penguin report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 82% of areas nationally. 7.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Evaluations by AreaSearch regarding chronic health conditions and mortality rates point to notable health challenges across all age brackets in Penguin. Concurrently, private health insurance coverage is modest, held by approximately 50% of residents (~2,132 people), falling below the Australian average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent ailments locally, diagnosed in 11.3 and 9.5% of the population respectively, while 61.3% of residents reported having no medical conditions, compared to 62.0% across Regional Tas.. Chronic health issues are particularly elevated among working-age individuals. Meanwhile, residents aged 65 and over account for 26.1% of the community (1,109 people), outnumbering the 25.1% seen across Regional Tas., with this senior demographic experiencing health conditions at rates above national levels.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Penguin is largely Australian-born, at 88.9% of residents, with 2.3% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (34.5%) and English (33.7%). 5.7% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Penguin remains relatively limited, with 88.9% of residents born in Australia, 92.4% holding citizenship, and 97.7% speaking only English in domestic settings. Christianity represents the leading faith, adhered to by 42.4% of the community. In terms of relative overrepresentation, virtually no residents identify with Judaism, compared with 0.1% across Regional Tas.. Parental country of birth records show the top three ancestries in Penguin are Australian at 34.5%, English at 33.7%, and Scottish at 6.9%. Other cultural backgrounds also show distinct representation, with Dutch ancestry accounting for 2.2% (against 1.7% regionally), Australian Aboriginal ancestry representing 5.7% (compared to 4.1%), and French ancestry comprising 0.5% (versus 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Penguin is 47, older than 85% of areas nationally. 19.5% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Age distributions in Penguin mirror Regional Tas. closely, showing a maximum variation of 1.9 percentage points across all broad age categories. The median age is estimated at 47, matching the 2021 Census figure and remaining 2 years above the Regional Tas. median of 45, while the Australian Census median was 38. The proportion of residents aged 65+ has increased from 23.5% at the Census to an estimated 26.1%. This retiree cohort is forecast to experience the largest numerical expansion by 2041, climbing by 120 (11%) to reach 1,229, whereas younger adults, middle-aged demographics, and children are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Penguin
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 9 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jul 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 99 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (4,132 at the 2021 Census → 4,250 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL60501). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.