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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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Sorell has an estimated 4,383 residents, up from 3,597 at the 2021 Census — a change of 786 people, or 21.9%. Growth has averaged 3.9% a year over five years, faster than 91% of areas nationally. 381 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 66.0% of that increase. That puts 192 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
According to the analysis of ABS population revisions for the surrounding region, combined with new address validation performed by AreaSearch after the Census, the resident count for the suburb of Sorell is approximated at 4,383 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 786 people (21.9%) relative to the 2021 Census, when the community stood at 3,597 people. The calculation is based on a resident figure of 4,284, which was determined by AreaSearch following an evaluation of the June 2025 ERP release by the ABS, alongside an extra 381 validated new addresses registered after the Census date.
This population level yields a density of 191 persons per square kilometer, which indicates substantial space per resident and capacity for additional expansion. The 21.9% expansion rate observed since the 2021 census outpaced the broader SA4 region (3.9%) and Greater Hobart, positioning the suburb of Sorell as a regional growth leader. Population expansion was mostly propelled by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 66.0% of the total demographic growth over recent times, even though all other components including overseas arrivals and natural increase remained positive. ABS and Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 (using 2022 as the base year) are utilized by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. For any SA2 localities missing from this data set, and to project age bracket variations beyond 2032, regional and LGA projections from the Tasmania State Government released in 2022 (using 2021 as the base year) are implemented, adjusted via a weighted aggregation of population expansion from LGA to SA2 tiers. Based on these anticipated demographic transitions, a major expansion is expected within the top quartile of statistical divisions nationwide, with the suburb of Sorell projected to grow by 1,287 persons by 2041 under aggregated SA2-level modeling, which translates to a total increase of 27.1% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
415 new dwellings have been approved in Sorell over the past five years, an average of 83 a year. That places the area in the 85th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 19 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 70 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 97% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 68, broadly in line with 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
Evaluation by AreaSearch of ABS building permit figures distributed from regional statistics indicates that the suburb of Sorell has averaged approximately 83 residential approvals annually, yielding an estimated 415 homes over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 63 approvals have been logged. With an average of 1.8 individuals migrating to the district per year for every home constructed during the past 5 financial years (spanning FY-21 to FY-25), demand and supply appear highly aligned, fostering stable conditions in the market, while new residences carry a mean build cost of $461,000, indicating that building firms are focusing on high-end properties within the premium sector.
Furthermore, commercial approvals have reached $12.1 million during this financial year, which points to a moderate pace of business-related construction. Per resident, the suburb of Sorell shows 119.0% more building activity compared to Greater Hobart. While this offers prospective purchasers a broad range of options, construction velocity has decelerated in recent times. This volume is notably higher than the national benchmark, demonstrating that builders have strong faith in the area. Recent completions consist of 97.0% detached houses and 3.0% townhouses or multi-unit dwellings, maintaining the low-density profile of the community with a clear preference for single-family homes that draw buyers looking for extra space. There are roughly 63 people per approved residential permit, suggesting a growing market. Future forecasts indicate that the suburb of Sorell will gain 1,188 residents by 2041 (taking the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch). With current construction paces, the addition of new housing looks set to easily satisfy demand, creating favorable buying opportunities and potentially underpinning population gains that exceed current forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Sorell
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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 one current infrastructure or development project inside Sorell, worth an estimated $27 million. A further 10 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $273 million. 3 are already under construction and 2 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans education & training, transport & logistics and agriculture & rural development. 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
Changes in local infrastructure, key project starts, and strategic planning schemes are primary drivers of regional growth. AreaSearch has identified a single project in the area that is expected to influence the local market. The most notable developments include the Sorell School Redevelopment, the Tasman Highway Duplication Project, the Greater Hobart Urban Growth Boundary Extension, and the Tasmanian Irrigation Schemes: Tranche 3, with details on the most relevant schemes provided below.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Sorell School Redevelopment
A $27 million redevelopment has transformed Sorell School into a modern, unified Kindergarten to Year 12 campus, delivering a combination of new buildings and refurbishment of existing facilities, including a new Child and Family Learning Centre.
Tasman Highway Duplication Project
Duplication of the Tasman Highway between Hobart and Sorell, including widening the Midway Point and Sorell Causeways from two to four lanes, and building a second bridge next to McGees Bridge. The project aims to double vehicle capacity, improve safety, and includes shared walking and cycling paths. Currently pending environmental approvals.
Hobart Airport Terminal Expansion Project
Hobart Airport is undertaking a $200 million terminal upgrade to double its footprint, increasing boarding gates, food & beverage, and retail options. It will also allow larger aircraft and direct international flights.
Draft Cambridge Oval Master Plan
A master plan for the redevelopment of the Cambridge Memorial Oval and surrounding area, including new and upgraded soccer and cricket facilities, recreation facilities, a new sports pavilion, indoor gymnasium, and outdoor multi-use hard court for school and community use.
Cambridge Primary School Redevelopment
The Tasmanian Government is undertaking an $18 million redevelopment of Cambridge Primary School, providing additional contemporary learning facilities for students and staff, and traffic and car parking improvements.
Brighton to Cambridge Freight Route Study
A study investigating the feasibility of future freight routes from Brighton to Cambridge, considering current routes, road conditions, and necessary upgrades. Community consultation has closed.
Cambridge-Clarence Recycled Water Interconnector
A $19.1 million investment in southeast Tasmania to provide around 190 megalitres of recycled water per year for agriculture and preserve the health of the Pitt Water-Orielton Lagoon.
Lauderdale Primary School
The Tasmanian Government will undertake a $6.5 million upgrade of Lauderdale Primary School to provide additional contemporary learning spaces, amenities and replacement of outdated outdoor play areas. This includes the construction of new general learning areas and car park upgrades to address increasing student enrollment and provide modern facilities.
2,045 residents of Sorell are employed, from a labour force of 2,156. Unemployment sits at 5.1%, with participation at 60.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 3,436, about 78% 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
Based on AreaSearch aggregation of regional data, the suburb of Sorell has a well-balanced labor force of both blue-collar and white-collar workers, with strong representation in essential service sectors, an unemployment rate of 5.1%, and an estimated job growth rate of 1.6% over the past year. In March 2026, there were 2,045 working residents, with an unemployment rate that sits 0.7% higher than the Greater Hobart level of 4.4%, and a participation rate that is slightly lower than the benchmark (60.3% versus 63.8% in Greater Hobart). Census statistics show that only 7.4% of residents worked from their homes, though this reflects potential impacts from Covid-19 restrictions.
The primary sectors employing local residents are retail trade, construction, and health care & social assistance. The workforce displays a specific concentration in transport, postal & warehousing, with a representation that is 2.0 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for only 3.7% of the local workforce, which is lower than the 6.6% recorded in Greater Hobart. Comparing the number of working residents to the local working population suggests that regional employment options within the area are somewhat restricted. AreaSearch evaluations of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from broader regions show that during the 12-month timeframe, total employment grew by 1.6% while the overall labor force expanded by 2.9%, leading to an increase of 1.1 percentage points in the rate of unemployment. In comparison, Greater Hobart experienced a 0.1% contraction in employment, a 0.2% expansion in the labor force, and a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. Long-term employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia issued in May-25 offer additional perspective on prospective future demand in the suburb of Sorell. These five and ten-year forecasts have been aligned with the local occupation mix to model potential trends. While employment at the national level is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the expected growth rates vary considerably across different industries. Applying these sector-specific models to the local employment mix suggests that the suburb of Sorell should see job numbers rise by 6.1% over five years and 12.9% over ten years (note that this is a basic weighted projection for visualization and does not integrate specific local population trends).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Sorell is $1,317 a week (about $68,000 a year), with median personal income at $679 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $47,221 a year against an average of $52,692. 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 the most recent postcode ATO data analyzed by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year, average incomes in the suburb of Sorell are below the national median, with a median of $47,221 and a mean income of $52,692. By comparison, Greater Hobart has a median income of $54,577 and an average income of $65,190. Adjusted for Wage Price Index expansion of 10.95% since the 2023 financial year, current values would stand at roughly $52,392 (median) and $58,462 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census data indicates that personal, family, and household incomes in the suburb of Sorell lie within the 21st to 24th national percentiles.
The weekly earnings band of $1,500 - 2,999 is the most common, accounting for 31.9% of the population (1,398 individuals), which matches the broader region where 32.2% fall in this bracket. Affordability pressures are significant, leaving residents with only 82.9% of their income, which ranks in the 21st percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Sorell had 1,430 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 97% detached houses and 0% apartments. 37% are owned with a mortgage, 27% rented and 36% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $350 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,517 a month. Rent absorbs 26.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential housing in the suburb of Sorell at the most recent Census was composed of 96.7% separate houses and 3.3% other home types (such as semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative structures), compared to 85.3% houses and 14.7% other dwellings in metro Hobart. Home ownership rates in the suburb of Sorell aligned with metro Hobart at 35.7%, with the remaining properties being purchased under a mortgage (37.0%) or occupied by renters (27.3%). The median monthly home loan repayment was identical to the metro Hobart average of $1,517, and the median weekly rent was also equivalent at $350, compared to metro Hobart figures of $1,517 and $350.
Nationally, mortgage costs in the suburb of Sorell are notably below the Australian median of $1,863, and rent prices are lower than the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Sorell counted 1,430 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,742 today, averaging 2.4 people each. 26% are couples with children, against 29% couples without children. 29% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 69.8%, consisting of 25.5% couples raising children, 29.0% couples without children, and 14.3% single parents. The remaining 30.2% are non-family households, with single-person households representing 29.0% and shared group households accounting for 1.5%. The median household occupancy of 2.4 individuals is identical to the average for Greater Hobart.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
15.6% of adults in Sorell hold a university qualification, including 10.4% with a bachelor degree and 3.5% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 87% of areas nationally. A further 30.6% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 815 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 927 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
The local population presents educational trends where university attainment (15.6%) is considerably lower than the SA4 regional average of 32.8%. This gap highlights a clear opportunity for targeted local learning programs. Among tertiary qualifications, bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.4%, followed by postgraduate studies at 3.5% and graduate diplomas at 1.7%. Practical and vocational qualifications are highly prevalent, with 40.2% of individuals aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.6%) and certificates (30.6%). A significant proportion of the population is actively learning, with 25.2% of residents enrolled in an educational institution.
This includes 10.4% in primary schools, 6.7% in secondary schools, and 2.2% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Sorell means driving: households keep an average of 1.5 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
59.2% of residents in Sorell report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 89% of areas nationally. 9.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health outcomes present clear challenges in the suburb of Sorell, based on AreaSearch assessments of mortality patterns and the frequency of chronic conditions across different age cohorts, with private health insurance adoption being notably low at roughly 48% of the population (~2,106 people). This compares to 51.7% in Greater Hobart and a national average of 55.7%. The primary medical conditions recorded among residents are arthritis and mental health challenges, which affect 12.8% and 9.8% of the community respectively, while 59.2% of individuals reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 65.5% in Greater Hobart.
The working-age population faces notable health difficulties, with elevated rates of long-term illness. Residents aged 65 and over make up 26.1% of the population (1,143 people), which is higher than the 20.0% average in Greater Hobart. Senior health outcomes show some challenges, with national rankings generally aligned with the wider population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Sorell is largely Australian-born, at 88.2% of residents, with 6.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (35.9%) and Australian (33.3%). 3.3% 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
The suburb of Sorell exhibits lower levels of ethnic diversity, with citizens making up 90.1% of the population, 88.2% born in Australia, and 93.8% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 46.7% of the community. The most distinct variance is in the Other category, which represents 1.0% of residents compared to 1.1% in Greater Hobart. In terms of family heritage (parents' birthplaces), the primary ancestries in the suburb of Sorell are English at 35.9%, Australian at 33.3% (which is considerably higher than the regional average of 28.0%), and Irish at 7.8%.
There are also specific differences in other backgrounds: Australian Aboriginal residents account for 3.3% (compared to 3.0% in the region), New Zealanders represent 0.6% (compared to 0.4%), and South Australians account for 0.3% (compared to 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Sorell is 41. 23.1% 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 median resident age of 41 in the suburb of Sorell is slightly higher than the Greater Hobart median of 39 and just above the national median of 38. The age distribution shows a high proportion of people aged 75 - 84 years (10.4%), while the 15 - 24 age bracket is smaller (9.4%) than in Greater Hobart. Since 2021, the 35 to 44 age cohort has expanded from 11.4% to 13.5% of the total population, and the 75 to 84 cohort has risen from 8.6% to 10.4%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has contracted from 10.4% to 9.4%.
Looking forward to 2041, demographic models indicate substantial shifts in the age structure of the suburb of Sorell. The population aged 85+ is expected to experience major growth, increasing by 309 people (168%) from 184 to 494. The combined cohorts aged 65+ will represent 56% of total population growth, pointing to a rapidly aging demographic profile, whereas the cohort aged 35 to 44 is projected to decrease by 69 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Sorell
8 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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 8 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2025 about a year ago all 1 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 2025. | ||
| 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 — 381 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,597 at the 2021 Census → 4,383 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 May 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 (SAL60609). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.