Ulverstone

Ulverstone is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

According to census figures and subsequent residential updates tracked by AreaSearch, the suburb of Ulverstone has a population estimated at 6,758 in May 2026. This represents an addition of 105 people (1.6%) relative to the 6,653 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. The calculation is based on a baseline count of 6,710 compiled by AreaSearch using the June 2025 demographic release from the ABS, supplemented by 172 validated new addresses registered after the census date. With these numbers, the locality has a density of 405 persons per square kilometer, which indicates low-density living and potential capacity for future expansion. The local growth rate of 1.6% since the census is within 1.6 percentage points of the broader SA3 region (3.2%), indicating competitive regional dynamics. Net population gains during recent timeframes were almost exclusively driven by arrivals from overseas.

Projections for each SA2 zone are sourced from 2024 ABS and Geoscience Australia datasets using 2022 as the base year. Where these figures are unavailable, or to calculate age cohorts beyond 2032, regional projections published by the Tasmanian State Government in 2022 (using a 2021 baseline) are utilized, applying a weighted aggregation technique from LGA to SA2 level. These models point to a downward trend in total population, with a projected reduction of 302 persons by 2041. Despite this overall contraction, some cohorts are expected to grow, particularly residents aged 75 to 84, who are forecast to increase by 289 people.

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

Residential building approval records processed by AreaSearch from localized statistical data show that the suburb of Ulverstone averages approximately 22 home approvals each year, summing to 114 approved dwellings over the preceding 5 financial years. In the current financial year of FY-26, there have been 41 approvals logged so far. Because the resident count contracted in the prior term, the housing inventory has remained sufficient to meet demand, supporting a balanced marketplace with choices for buyers, while newly approved homes carry a mean building cost of $390,000, illustrating developer emphasis on upmarket construction. In addition, commercial development approvals reached $9.5 million during the current financial year, representing a steady stream of commercial investment.

Compared with the Rest of Tas., building activity per capita in the suburb of Ulverstone is 13.0% lower, placing it in the 66th percentile of all areas evaluated across the nation, despite a recent speed-up in construction volumes. This building rate falls short of the national average, reflecting a developed market and potential regulatory limits on planning. New approvals consist entirely of standalone houses, preserving the classic low-density layout of the area and catering to households prioritizing space. A ratio of approximately 213 people per approved dwelling highlights the low-density profile of the suburb of Ulverstone.

Given that future demographics are expected to remain flat or decrease, the suburb of Ulverstone may experience reduced demand for housing, which should benefit home buyers.

Ulverstone has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 45thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure projects, planning initiatives, and major developments have a significant effect on regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 7 projects in the vicinity that are expected to influence the locality. Important developments include the Trevor Street Subdivision (Ulverstone Rise), the installation of a Wet Electrostatic Scrubber Precipitator, Ulverstone Rise, and the Jernej Way Residential Subdivision, with details on the most significant projects listed below.

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Employment performance in Ulverstone has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

The local workforce shows a mix of white-collar and blue-collar employment, with strong representation in essential services, an unemployment rate of 4.5%, and an annual employment growth rate of 3.3% according to AreaSearch regional aggregates. By March 2026, working residents numbered 2,870, while the local jobless rate was 0.5% higher than the Regional Tas. benchmark of 3.9%, and the labor participation rate of 52.0% fell well behind the regional mark of 58.8%. Census records show that a minor 5.7% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic restrictions.

The leading employment fields for residents are healthcare & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. By contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 4.5% of the local workforce, compared to the regional benchmark of 8.4%. The census comparison of local jobs relative to working residents indicates that this residential zone provides a restricted number of local employment openings.

According to AreaSearch’s assessment of SALM and ABS information, which draws from larger statistical regions, employment rose by 3.3% and the labour force grew by 3.2% between the start and end of the year to March 2026. This shift caused unemployment to drop by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Tas. saw employment grow by 1.8%, the labour force expand by 1.7%, and unemployment decline by a small margin. Jobs and Skills Australia’s national employment forecasts released in May-25 provide additional context for anticipating future job demand in Ulverstone. These outlooks span five and ten year horizons and have been overlaid with Ulverstone’s current employment structure to project likely expansion trends. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and by 13.7% over ten years, though sectoral growth rates vary considerably. When these industry-specific forecasts are applied to Ulverstone’s existing employment composition, local employment is estimated to rise by 6.1% over five years and by 13.1% over ten years. It should be noted that this approach uses a straightforward weighting method for demonstration and does not incorporate local population projections.

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

ATO records for the 2023 financial year show that taxpayers in the suburb of Ulverstone had a median income of $48,418 and a mean income of $57,632. These figures are below national averages and compare to $49,689 (median) and $59,358 (average) across Regional Tas. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.95% since the 2023 financial year, adjusted estimates for March 2026 stand at roughly $53,720 for the median and $63,943 for the average. Census data places household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Ulverstone between the 3rd and 11th percentiles nationally. The largest bracket consists of 34.1% of taxpayers (2,304 residents) earning between $400 - 799 weekly, which differs from the wider region where the weekly bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 is the most common at 28.5%. The fact that 41.8% of earners make under $800 weekly points to financial pressures for a large portion of the population. Discretionary income remaining after housing costs sits at 86.3%, placing the area in the 6th percentile nationwide.

Ulverstone is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The housing stock in the suburb of Ulverstone at the time of the census consisted of 85.1% standalone houses and 14.8% alternative properties like townhouses and apartments, compared to 89.9% houses and 10.1% alternative dwellings across Regional Tas. Home ownership in the suburb of Ulverstone was higher than the regional average at 44.9%, with the remaining properties split between mortgaged homes (27.9%) and rental properties (27.2%). The median mortgage payment of $1,100 per month was notably lower than the Regional Tas. median, while the median weekly rent was identical to the regional figure at $250, compared to Regional Tas. levels of $1,274 and $250. Nationally, mortgage repayments in the suburb of Ulverstone are well below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are much lower than the national benchmark of $375.

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

Families make up 61.7% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 19.9%, couples without children at 28.5%, and single parents at 12.1%. Non-family households account for the remaining 38.3%, with single-person households representing 36.6% and group living situations making up 1.9% of the total. The average household size of 2.1 persons is slightly below the Regional Tas. average of 2.3.

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

The locality presents lower rates of higher education, with university graduation rates at 14.8%, which is well below the national benchmark of 30.4%. This highlights a clear gap and an opportunity for focused educational programs. Among degree holders, bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.7%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.2% and graduate diplomas at 1.9%. Vocational and technical qualifications are highly represented, with 38.6% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.9% and certificates at 29.7%.

A significant 24.3% of the community is currently enrolled in formal studies. This segment includes 9.8% attending primary schools, 7.2% enrolled in secondary education, and 2.5% undertaking tertiary coursework.

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

Public transit data shows 2 active transit stops in the suburb of Ulverstone, which are serviced by a mix of buses. There are 7 distinct routes operating across these stops, providing a combined total of 504 weekly passenger trips. Overall transit access is classified as limited, with residents living an average of 1055 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the residential nature of the locality, most workers commute out of the area, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 93%, while 4% of commuters walk. Average vehicle ownership is 1.3 cars per home, which is below the regional average. A relatively low 5.7% of residents worked from home during the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

Transit schedules show an average of 72 daily trips across all routes, which translates to roughly 252 weekly services at each individual transit stop.

Health performance in Ulverstone is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health indicators point to significant challenges in the suburb of Ulverstone, based on analysis of mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic illnesses across both younger and older demographics. Furthermore, the rate of private health insurance is relatively low, covering approximately 50% of the population (~3,379 people) compared to a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical diagnoses in the area are arthritis and mental health conditions, which affect 13.3% and 9.1% of residents respectively. Conversely, 58.0% of the population reported no chronic health issues, compared to 62.0% across Regional Tas. The local working-age demographic shows elevated rates of chronic illness, indicating notable health pressures. Residents aged 65 and over make up 33.4% of the population (2,257 people), exceeding the Regional Tas. proportion of 24.9%. Seniors in the area face notable health issues, with national risk rankings for this group exceeding those of the general population.

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

The suburb of Ulverstone exhibits lower levels of multicultural diversity, with 90.6% of residents born within Australia, 93.0% holding citizenship, and 97.1% speaking only English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, accounting for 46.6% of the population, compared to 43.0% across Regional Tas.

Looking at ancestral backgrounds, the three most common heritages in the suburb of Ulverstone are English at 35.7%, Australian at 33.3%, and Irish at 7.2%. The area also shows notable differences in specific ethnic groups compared to the wider region: Dutch heritage is higher at 2.6% (compared to 1.7% regionally), Australian Aboriginal ancestry stands at 5.8% (compared to 4.1%), and Sri Lankan ancestry is recorded at 0.1% (compared to 0.1%).

Ulverstone hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in the suburb of Ulverstone is 49 years, which is older than the Regional Tas. average of 45 and substantially higher than the Australian median of 38. Compared to regional averages, the 75 - 84 age cohort is highly represented at 12.9%, whereas young adults aged 25 - 34 are underrepresented at 7.9%. The local 75 - 84 cohort concentration is much higher than the national average of 6.1%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort has expanded from 10.5% to 12.9% of the population, and the 65 to 74 group rose from 14.5% to 15.8%. Meanwhile, the 25 to 34 age group dropped from 9.7% to 7.9% and the 55 to 64 group declined from 15.1% to 13.3%. By 2041, the age structure is expected to undergo major shifts. The 75 to 84 cohort will lead this trend with a 30% increase (259 people), growing from 871 to 1,131. This aging shift is clear, with seniors aged 65+ accounting for 88% of all projected population growth, while both the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 age brackets are expected to contract.