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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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Shearwater has an estimated 2,113 residents, up from 2,051 at the 2021 Census — a change of 62 people, or 3.0%. Growth has averaged 0.5% a year over five years. That puts 616 residents on each 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
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Shearwater has an estimated population of approximately 2,113, derived from AreaSearch's review of regional ABS population adjustments alongside 60 validated new addresses recorded since the Census date. This represents an addition of 62 people (3.0%) compared to the 2,051 people registered in the 2021 Census, building on the June 2025 ABS ERP release of 2,104 residents. With a population density of 616 persons per square kilometer, the locality maintains substantial open space and capacity for prospective expansion. Over the prior decade, demographic growth in the suburb of Shearwater proved resilient, recording a 2.0% compound annual growth rate that exceeded the broader SA3 area, with interstate migration serving as the primary growth driver by generating roughly 79.0% of recent population additions.
Population projections utilized by AreaSearch incorporate 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia data benchmarked to 2022, complemented where necessary by 2022 Tasmanian State Government Regional/LGA figures based on 2021, converted via weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 geographic levels for post-2032 age estimations. Looking ahead, the suburb of Shearwater is slated to outpace the median expansion rate of Australian regional territories, with SA2 aggregated projections forecasting an influx of 267 persons by 2041, translating to an overall growth rate of 12.2% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
126 new dwellings have been approved in Shearwater over the past five years, an average of 25 a year. That is 10.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 23 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 100% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 10, 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
Analysis of ABS building approvals by AreaSearch shows that local residential development has averaged roughly 25 new dwelling approvals annually, amounting to around 126 homes across the prior 5 financial years, with 10 approvals logged to date in FY-25. The construction pace is comfortably satisfying local demand, averaging only 0.5 new residents per newly approved residence between FY-21 and FY-25, thereby broadening buyer selection and supporting potential population expansion. These residences carry an average anticipated construction cost of $606,000, underscoring an emphasis on higher-end development, while non-residential approvals of $1.4 million in the current financial year highlight the locality's predominantly domestic focus.
Per capita building activity in the locality exceeds that of Rest of Tas. by 123.0%, offering substantial inventory for prospective purchasers despite recent moderations in building volume. This elevated level of activity sits well above nationwide benchmarks, demonstrating robust developer commitment. New development has consisted entirely of detached single-family residences, reinforcing a low-density neighborhood structure aimed at households desiring expansive living, with a ratio of around 175 people per dwelling approval reflecting its low-density layout. According to the latest quarterly forecasts from AreaSearch, the local community is expected to expand by 258 residents by 2041. Given ongoing construction trends, the pipeline of residential building activity appears well-positioned to satisfy incoming demand, creating favorable buyer dynamics and potentially enabling residential growth to surpass existing forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Shearwater
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 46 current infrastructure and development projects close to Shearwater, worth an estimated $4.64 billion. 11 are already under construction and 14 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, environmental & disaster management and education & training. 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
Regional development and community trajectory are heavily shaped by civil works, major project investments, and municipal planning strategies. AreaSearch has highlighted 5 key initiatives expected to impact the surrounding district, featuring the Hawley Foreshore Shared Pathway Project, Entrance to Port Sorell Roundabout Improvements, Cradle Coast NRM - Rice Grass Control Program, and Port Sorell Area Drainage.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Port Sorell Area Drainage
Stormwater catchment assessment and flood mitigation project focused on the Poyston Creek drainage system in Port Sorell. Latrobe Council is continuing drainage investigations, stormwater modelling and assessment of mitigation options to reduce flooding and stormwater inundation affecting nearby residential properties. The project remains in the planning phase while preferred engineering solutions are being developed.
Entrance to Port Sorell Roundabout Improvements
Improvements to the roundabout at the entrance to Port Sorell focusing on safety enhancements, drainage improvements, functionality upgrades, and visual amenity. The project addresses the main intersection connecting Port Sorell Main Road, Alexander Street, Wilmot Street, and Parkers Ford Road.
Cradle Coast NRM - Rice Grass Control Program
Environmental management program to control and eradicate invasive Rice Grass (Spartina anglica) across approximately 659 hectares in the Rubicon-Port Sorell Estuary. The project aimed to improve coastal saltmarsh and threatened ecological communities, protect feeding habitat for migratory and resident wading birds, and establish a Rice Grass Free Zone north of the containment line between Squeaking Point and Eagle Point. Rice Grass is an invasive estuarine weed that competes with native vegetation, restricts water and nutrient flow, invades commercial oyster leases, and traps sediment impacting recreational areas.Delivered by Cradle Coast Authority in partnership with Latrobe Council, supported by funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program. The project is now listed among Cradle Coast Authority's completed NRM initiatives.
Camp Banksia and Banksia Centre Redevelopment
Major redevelopment of Camp Banksia and Banksia Centre completed in October 2023, creating a vibrant multi-purpose community hub. The $5.7 million project includes two new accommodation hubs sleeping up to 76 people, extension of the Performing Arts Centre, multipurpose sports stadium with grandstand seating and 8m projection screen, exhibition space, new camp kitchen, outdoor play spaces including pump track and playground, and modern meeting facilities. The facility now accommodates up to 106 people total across bunk-style accommodation and original Blackwood Cabins, serving schools, sports groups, community organizations, and events.
North West Hospitals Masterplan - Mersey Community Hospital Redevelopment
A 20-year masterplan to transform healthcare in Tasmania's North West. Following the early 2025 completion of the $41 million Outpatients and Theatres redevelopment, the project has transitioned into Stage 1 of the broader $1.4 billion long-term vision. Current works include the delivery of a new sub-acute building for medical oncology services and a dedicated inpatient unit for geriatric evaluation and management. This phase also focuses on expanded palliative care services and infrastructure upgrades to support community health needs through 2045.
Bass Highway Cool Storage Development
Development approved cool storage and chiller facility on 6.39 hectare site located within 300 metres of Bass Highway. The site, accessible from Forth Street via Henry Street, has planning approval for construction of approximately 5,167 square metres of gross building area for temperature-controlled storage. The land is currently for sale with vacant possession and includes all necessary development approvals in place for the cool storage facility construction.
Latrobe Flood Levees Project
Award-winning flood protection system comprising 1.5km of earth and concrete levees (1-3m high), large box culvert diversion structure, pumps, gates and infrastructure to protect Latrobe's CBD and residential areas from Mersey River and Kings Creek flooding. The innovative project redirects flood flows from Kings Creek through underground channels beneath Gilbert Street and Cotton Street. Main construction completed mid-2023 with final works ongoing. Winner of Engineers Australia Excellence Award 2024 Project of the Year Tasmania and Civil Contractors Federation Earth Awards.
Spirit of Tasmania New Vessels and Port Upgrade
The Spirit of Tasmania port upgrade at East Devonport, delivered under TasPorts' QuayLink infrastructure program, provides the new Terminal 3 (Spirit Quay) dedicated to the new Spirit of Tasmania IV and V vessels. Built by Rauma Marine Constructions in Finland, the larger ferries require upgraded berthing, advanced passenger terminal facilities built by Vos Construction, and multi-lane vehicle ramps. Works are reaching final commissioning ahead of scheduled commercial operations in late 2026.
826 residents of Shearwater are employed, from a labour force of 850. Unemployment sits at 2.8%, with participation at 46.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,711, about 81% 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
The local labor pool exhibits a balanced distribution of white-collar and blue-collar roles with prominent representation across essential service sectors, an estimated annual employment gain of 1.7%, and an unemployment rate of only 2.8%, according to AreaSearch statistical aggregations. As of March 2026826 residents are employed, and the jobless rate sits 1.1% below the 3.9% recorded across Regional Tas., though the labor force participation rate of 46.1% falls well short of the 58.7% seen in Regional Tas.. Census records indicated that 8.1% of workers carried out their duties from home, mindful of the circumstances surrounding Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
Local workers are primarily employed across health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. The education & training sector displays notable concentration, capturing a workforce share 1.2 times that of the surrounding region. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for 5.8% of local employment, falling beneath the regional benchmark of 8.4%. The residential character of the locality is underscored by a disparity between the resident labor pool and the volume of jobs based within the area during the Census. According to AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM metrics over the 12 months leading to March 2026, resident employment expanded by 1.7% while the overall workforce grew by 2.0%, elevating the unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. Across Regional Tas., employment grew by 1.8% alongside a 1.7% increase in the labor supply, resulting in a minor reduction in unemployment. National outlooks published by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 project economy-wide employment gains of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Extrapolating these industry projections across the local workforce structure indicates prospective employment gains of 6.2% across five years and 13.2% across ten years, serving as an illustrative weighted baseline that excludes localized demographic projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Shearwater is $1,104 a week (about $57,000 a year), with median personal income at $581 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $43,275 a year against an average of $53,365. 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
According to postcode-level ATO records compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, taxpayers in the suburb of Shearwater recorded a median income of $43,275 alongside an average income of $53,365, tracking below the nationwide baseline as well as the Regional Tas. median of $49,689 and average of $59,358. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.95% since financial year 2023, updated figures reach approximately $48,014 for median income and $59,208 for average income as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census places family, personal, and household earnings within the 7th to 9th national percentiles.
The single largest earnings bracket accounts for 31.6% of local earners (667 people) earning between $400 - 799, contrasting with metropolitan trends where the $1,500 - 2,999 group is most prevalent at 28.5%. Residual earnings post-housing expenses stand at 86.5%, placing the area at the 11th percentile across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Shearwater had 858 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 91% detached houses and 0% apartments. 25% are owned with a mortgage, 22% rented and 54% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $295 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,500 a month. Rent absorbs 26.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 31.4%. 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, housing stock in the suburb consisted of 91.4% standalone houses and 8.7% alternate residential formats such as apartments, semi-detached properties, and 'other' dwellings, compared to 89.9% houses and 10.1% alternative types throughout Regional Tas.. Outright homeownership was particularly prominent at 53.6%, considerably outpacing the Regional Tas. standard, while mortgaged properties accounted for 24.7% and tenant-occupied homes made up 21.6%. Median monthly mortgage obligations stood at $1,500 and median weekly rent reached $295, exceeding the Regional Tas. figures of $1,274 and $250 respectively, yet remaining significantly below nationwide medians of $1,863 for home loans and $375 for rental leases.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Shearwater counted 858 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 17% are couples with children, fewer than in 92% of areas nationally, against 40% couples without children. 31% 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
Family units constitute the bulk of households at 66.3%, broken down into couples without children at 40.2%, couples with children at 17.0%, and single parent arrangements making up 7.6%. Non-family living situations represent the remaining 33.7%, primarily comprised of lone person residences at 31.2% alongside group housing at 2.4%. Average household occupancy sits at 2.1 people, tracking slightly beneath the Regional Tas. norm of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
16.0% of adults in Shearwater hold a university qualification, including 11.2% with a bachelor degree and 2.9% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 28.4% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Tertiary educational attainment within the locality is lower than the broader population, with 16.0% of individuals holding university degrees compared to the nationwide benchmark of 30.4%, highlighting a target area for educational policy. Bachelor degrees constitute the primary higher education credential at 11.2%, with postgraduate qualifications representing 2.9% and graduate diplomas accounting for 1.9%. Conversely, vocational and technical qualifications are widespread, held by 40.3% of the population aged 15+, consisting of 28.4% with certificate-level awards and 11.9% holding advanced diplomas. Within the wider population, formal education enrollments account for 19.6% of residents.
Breaking down this cohort, primary schooling represents 7.4%, secondary education encompasses 6.2%, and higher tertiary study comprises 1.5%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Shearwater means driving: households keep an average of 1.3 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
56.2% of residents in Shearwater report no long-term health condition. 9.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health metrics compiled by AreaSearch reveal noticeable wellness pressures locally, marked by persistent chronic condition rates across various age groups and an elevated mortality profile. Private health insurance coverage is notably restrained, held by approximately 48% of residents (~1,021 people), sitting well under the Australian benchmark of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health challenges represent the most widespread medical conditions among residents, diagnosed in 13.7 and 9.0% of the population respectively, while 56.2% reported having no diagnosed conditions compared to 62.0% across Regional Tas.. Chronic health burdens remain evident among working-age individuals.
Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 43.4% of the population (917 people), substantially higher than the 25.1% recorded for Regional Tas., with health outcomes in this cohort reflecting broader population patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Shearwater is largely Australian-born, at 85.6% of residents, with 2.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (37.3%) and Australian (33.5%). 3.2% 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 measures indicate a homogenous demographic profile, with 85.6% of residents born in Australia, 92.2% holding citizenship, and 97.3% using English as their sole language at home. Christianity represents the leading faith, adhered to by 51.8% of the community, exceeding the 43.0% recorded throughout Regional Tas.. English heritage represents the most prevalent parental background at 37.3%, followed by Australian at 33.5% and Scottish at 8.1%. Specific demographic variations are also evident across other lineages: residents of Welsh heritage account for 0.7% (compared to 0.4% regionally), Australian Aboriginal ancestry accounts for 3.2% (versus 4.1% regionally), and Lebanese ancestry is recorded at 0.2% (compared to none regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Shearwater is 58, older than 98% of areas nationally. 14.1% 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
The demographic profile of the suburb of Shearwater is notably oriented toward older cohorts, with retirees and seniors aged 65+ making up 43.4% of the population as of August 2026 updates, compared to 25.1% across Regional Tas., while individuals aged 25 - 44 account for 15.7% relative to 23.0% regionally. The median age remains at 58, unchanged from the 2021 Census, exceeding the Regional Tas. Census median of 45 by 13 years and the national figure of 38. Older groups aged 65+ expanded from 39.7% at the Census to an estimated 43.4%, with forecasts to 2041 projecting this segment will lead future growth by increasing by 298 (32%) to 1,215, while younger cohorts and residents aged 25 - 44 are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Shearwater
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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 months ago all 2 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 May 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 — 60 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,051 at the 2021 Census → 2,113 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 (SAL60598). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.