West Moonah

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

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validations, the population of West Moonah was estimated at around 4,467 as of Feb 2026. This showed a decrease of 55 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,522 people. The estimated resident population of 4,401, based on AreaSearch's examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date, reflects this decrease. This results in a population density ratio of 2,454 persons per square kilometer, placing West Moonah in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 60% of overall population gains during recent periods for the suburb.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and post-2032 growth estimation by age group, Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted with adjustments made using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Future population trends indicate an increase just below the median for national statistical areas, with West Moonah expected to increase by 450 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 8.5% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in West Moonah is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows West Moonah averaged around 9 new dwelling approvals annually over the past 5 financial years to FY26. This totals an estimated 45 homes. In FY26, 8 approvals have been recorded so far. The population has declined recently, but housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $430,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment. Commercial approvals totalled $16.9 million this financial year, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Hobart, West Moonah shows reduced construction, with 56.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties, reflecting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. Recent construction comprises 89.0% detached dwellings and 11.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining West Moonah's traditional suburban character focused on family homes.

With around 804 people per approval, West Moonah is considered a mature, established area. AreaSearch projects West Moonah to grow by 381 residents through to 2041. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, but buyers may experience heightened competition as the population grows.

West Moonah has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 46thth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified eight projects that could impact the local area's performance. These include TasWater Infrastructure Upgrades, Medical Centre Redevelopment - Cadbury Road (Claremont), Greater Glenorchy Plan, and YMCA Glenorchy Redevelopment. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

The employment landscape in West Moonah shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

West Moonah has an educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 4.3%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of September 2025, 2,453 residents are employed, with the unemployment rate at 0.2% above Greater Hobart's rate of 4.0%.

Workforce participation stands at 68.3%, slightly higher than Greater Hobart's 63.8%. Census responses indicate that only 6.1% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts may have influenced this figure. The primary industries for employment among residents are health care & social assistance, accommodation & food services, and retail trade. Notably, the accommodation & food sector employs a disproportionately high share of workers, at 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction employs just 5.9% of local workers, lower than Greater Hobart's 8.7%. The predominantly residential area may offer limited local employment opportunities, as suggested by the ratio of Census working population to resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, West Moonah experienced a 1.2% decrease in labour force and a 0.8% decline in employment, leading to a 0.3 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. In comparison, Greater Hobart saw an employment decline of 0.7% and a labour force decline of 0.9%, resulting in a 0.2 percentage point reduction in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to West Moonah's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The suburb of West Moonah had a median taxpayer income of $48,792 and an average of $53,997 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is below the national average, with Greater Hobart having a median income of $54,577 and an average income of $65,190 in the same period. By September 2025, estimates suggest West Moonah's median taxpayer income would be approximately $53,476 and the average would be around $59,181, based on a 9.6% growth since financial year 2023. The 2021 Census figures show household, family, and personal incomes in West Moonah rank modestly, between the 34th and 35th percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 34.0% of locals (1,518 people) fall into the $1,500 - $2,999 category. Housing affordability pressures are severe in West Moonah, with only 84.0% of income remaining, ranking at the 35th percentile. This is consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region, where 32.2% of people fall into the same income category.

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

In West Moonah, as per the latest Census evaluation, houses constituted 80.1% of dwellings, with the remaining 19.9% being semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types of dwellings. In contrast, Hobart metro had 85.3% houses and 14.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in West Moonah stood at 28.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.6% and rented ones at 41.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,430, lower than Hobart metro's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent figure for West Moonah was $340, compared to Hobart metro's $350. Nationally, West Moonah's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

West Moonah features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 66.4% of all households, including 27.8% couples with children, 24.3% couples without children, and 12.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 33.6%, with lone person households at 27.8% and group households comprising 6.3%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Greater Hobart average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in West Moonah fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

Educational attainment in West Moonah is higher than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 35.1% have university qualifications, compared to 23.3% in the SA3 area and 25.5% in Tasmania as a whole. University graduates make up 20.8%, postgraduate qualifications are held by 11.7%, and graduate diplomas by 2.6%. Vocational credentials are prominent, with 28.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them.

Advanced diplomas account for 8.0% and certificates for 20.6%. Educational participation is high, with 29.9% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.2% in primary education, 6.0% in secondary education, and 5.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

West Moonah has 24 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 57 different routes that collectively facilitate 3,582 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically living just 185 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards due to its residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 84%, while buses account for 11%. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, only 6.1% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 511 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 149 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in West Moonah is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

West Moonah faces notable health challenges as assessed by AreaSearch. Mortality rates and prevalence of chronic conditions are significant, with common health issues present across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 49% of the total population (~2,169 people), compared to 51.7% in Greater Hobart and a national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 10.7% and 7.6% of residents respectively. However, 70.4% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 65.5% in Greater Hobart. Working-age residents show a higher-than-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 15.6% of residents aged 65 and over (696 people), lower than the 19.9% in Greater Hobart. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than those of the general population.

West Moonah was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

West Moonah's population was found to be more culturally diverse than most local areas, with 32.3% born overseas and 31.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in West Moonah, making up 37.3% of its population. Hinduism was notably overrepresented, comprising 10.7%, compared to the Greater Hobart average of 2.8%.

In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (25.0%), Australian (23.5%), and Other (16.4%). The latter was substantially higher than the regional average of 7.4%. Some ethnic groups showed notable divergences: Polish at 1.7% (vs regional 0.8%), Croatian at 0.9% (vs 0.2%), and Indian at 3.4% (vs 1.2%).

West Moonah hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

At 34 years, West Moonah's median age is considerably lower than the Greater Hobart average of 39. This is also substantially under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Greater Hobart, West Moonah has a higher concentration of residents aged 35-44 (19.0%) but fewer residents aged 55-64 (8.6%). Between the 2021 Census and present day, the population aged 35 to 44 has grown from 14.9% to 19.0%, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 4.3% to 5.4%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group has declined from 10.3% to 8.6%, and the 5 to 14 age group dropped from 10.4% to 8.9%. Demographic modeling suggests West Moonah's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 45 to 54 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 90%, adding 421 residents to reach 891. In contrast, both 55 to 64 and 25 to 34 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.