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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Acton - Upper Burnie has an estimated 3,371 residents, up from 3,270 at the 2021 Census — a change of 101 people, or 3.1%. That puts 1,568 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 research conducted by AreaSearch, the resident count for Acton - Upper Burnie stands at approximately 3,371 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 101 people (3.1%) relative to the 3,270 people recorded in the 2021 Census. Such movement is derived from the ABS estimated resident population figure of 3,371 established as of June 2025 alongside 30 validated new addresses identified following the Census. This headcount translates to a spatial concentration of 1,567 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the benchmark observed across the country by AreaSearch.
With a 3.1% rise post-census, Acton - Upper Burnie sits within 0.3 percentage points of the broader SA3 area (3.4%), reflecting sound underlying growth dynamics. The upward trajectory was largely underpinned by natural increase, accounting for roughly 54.3% of the net population addition in recent times. Projections compiled by the ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 using 2022 as a baseline, are applied by AreaSearch across SA2 boundaries. Where coverage is lacking, and to model age bracket movements beyond 2032, figures from the Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA dataset (issued in 2022 with a 2021 base) are incorporated via weighted aggregation converting LGA trends to the SA2 level. Looking ahead, these models point toward a demographic contraction, with the overall population forecasted to shrink by 42 persons by 2041 under this framework. Even so, certain segments will expand, most notably individuals in the 85 and over bracket, who are anticipated to increase by 50 people. Further details are outlined in the age breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building approvals in Acton - Upper Burnie remain subdued, recording an annual pace of 3 dwelling approvals, which aggregates to 17 dwellings over the five-year period. This modest level of new supply is typical for regional settings where dwelling requirements are conservative and overall construction volumes are constrained by local demand and existing infrastructure limits. Because the total volume of approvals is small, single developments can generate notable variations in yearly statistics and comparative metrics. Building activity in Acton - Upper Burnie trails behind that of Rest of Tas., while also tracking below broad nationwide benchmarks.
Detached dwellings have accounted for every recent residential approval, aligning with regional lifestyle choices that prioritize spaciousness and seclusion. With a metric of roughly 903 people per approval, the locality displays the attributes of a well-settled, mature community. Given that overall population numbers are projected to plateau or diminish, housing demand in Acton - Upper Burnie is likely to ease, which may unlock favorable conditions for purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Acton - Upper Burnie
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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 59 current infrastructure and development projects close to Acton - Upper Burnie, worth an estimated $6.41 billion. 16 are already under construction and 15 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. 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
Capital investments, planning strategies, and major civic projects play a crucial role in shaping local growth. In total no projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Primary undertakings referenced in regional planning include the Marinus Link, Burnie Cultural Precinct Redevelopment, Burnie City Centre Urban Plan, and Homes Tasmania - Park Grove Subdivision, with key initiatives itemized below.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Homes Tasmania - Park Grove Residential Subdivision
Homes Tasmania is developing a 55-lot residential subdivision at 32 West Mooreville Road in Park Grove, Burnie. The site spans approximately 5.8 hectares and is masterplanned to deliver a mix of affordable land releases and dedicated social and affordable housing dwellings. Civil works and infrastructure servicing are actively progressing to support local housing supply.
Burnie City Centre Urban Plan
A comprehensive urban renewal framework to revitalise Burnie's central business district and waterfront connection over a 15 to 20-year horizon. The strategy focuses on public realm enhancements, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, heritage activation, and mixed-use commercial and community infrastructure.
Futuna Ave and West Park Grove Roundabout
Construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of Futuna Avenue and West Park Grove to improve safety. This project is partly funded by the Federal Government's Blackspot program.
Parklands High School Redevelopment
Redevelopment of Parklands High School, including a new performing arts centre, library, commercial teaching kitchen, a community garden with a yarning circle, sensory paths, a bush tucker garden, raised garden beds, an orchard, and a pizza oven. The project aims to modernize the school's facilities, provide new educational opportunities for students, and strengthen community ties by opening the garden to the public.
Burnie Cultural Precinct Redevelopment
Redevelopment of the Burnie Arts and Function Centre to integrate it with the Museum and Art Gallery and civic plaza, creating a new cultural space. The project aims to attract 100,000 visitors per year and boost the local economy.
University of Tasmania - Cradle Coast Campus Redevelopment (West Park)
A significant redevelopment and relocation of the University of Tasmania's Cradle Coast Campus to a new, modern $50 million facility at West Park in Burnie. The new campus features a 5500 square meter, two-level building with advanced learning environments, including a 12-bed nursing simulation ward. This project, part of the Northern Cities Major Development Initiative, aims to enhance educational accessibility and includes a landscape rejuvenation of the West Park foreshore. The move from Mooreville Road to the new CBD-proximate location is designed to make the university's offerings more visible and integrated with the community.
Port of Burnie - Burnie Gateway Project
The Burnie Gateway initiative aims to lay the foundation for exponential growth in Tasmanian mineral exports to global markets by enabling larger vessels to berth and ensuring fit-for-purpose terminal infrastructure. It will also support growth in other commodities such as forestry and container exports. The project involves capital dredging, port infrastructure development, ship loading infrastructure, and land reclamation to build a multi-commodity terminal for minerals (bulk and concentrate), forestry, and international containers.
Port of Burnie - Shiploader Replacement
An $82 million project, funded by the Australian Government, to replace the shiploader at the Port of Burnie, doubling its loading capacity. The new shiploader and associated infrastructure will improve reliability, safety, and environmental outcomes.
1,438 residents of Acton - Upper Burnie are employed, from a labour force of 1,561. Unemployment sits at 7.9%, with participation at 56.1%. 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 2,845, about 84% 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 in Acton - Upper Burnie features a mix of blue-collar and white-collar roles, supported by solid representation across core services. The locality records an unemployment rate of 7.9% alongside a 2.4% gain in overall employment across the trailing year. Figures for March 2026 indicate 1,438 residents are actively employed, though the local jobless rate sits 3.9% above the 3.9% recorded in Regional Tas., highlighting potential for labor market strengthening. In addition, labor force participation is comparatively low at 56.1%, compared to 58.7% across Regional Tas.. Census records indicate only 3.3% of workers operated from home, though historical COVID-19 restrictions provide context for this figure.
Key sectors employing local residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. In particular, retail trade demonstrates a high degree of local specialization, with its share of workers reaching 1.5 times the regional proportion. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing maintains a minor footprint, accounting for 3.0% of local employment against 8.4% across the region. As reflected by the variance between local working positions and the total resident workforce, the predominantly residential character of the suburb limits the volume of job openings available within its own borders. Evaluation of ABS and SALM metrics by AreaSearch indicates that over the 12-month period, a 2.4% rise in working individuals combined with a 3.2% expansion in the total labor force caused the jobless rate to climb by 0.7 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, Regional Tas. recorded a 1.8% uplift in employment and a 1.7% increase in the labor pool, resulting in a slight reduction in unemployment. For forward-looking indicators, national labor forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 give perspective on future workforce trends in Acton - Upper Burnie. Projecting five and ten-year expectations against the area's current industrial base provides an indicative outlook. While the broader Australian market is anticipated to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, industry performance will vary widely. Aligning these nationwide projections to the specific sector distribution in Acton - Upper Burnie yields an estimated local employment increase of 6.2% across five years and 13.4% over ten years, representing a simple illustrative weighting model that does not account for localized demographic shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Acton - Upper Burnie is $966 a week (about $50,000 a year), with median personal income at $593 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $47,373 a year against an average of $55,421. 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
Taxation records from the ATO for financial year 2023, compiled by AreaSearch, show that personal earnings across the Acton - Upper Burnie SA2 sit below the broader Australian norm. Among local taxpayers, the median income is $47,373 while the average reaches $55,421, differing from the Regional Tas. benchmarks of $49,689 and $59,358. Adjusting for a 10.95% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates as of March 2026 equate to approximately $52,560 for the median and $61,490 for the average. Census 2021 findings place the area's personal, family, and household earnings within the lowest 2nd to 10th percentiles nationwide.
In terms of weekly brackets, 32.9% of local residents (1,109 individuals) earn between $400 - 799, whereas the wider region is concentrated in the $1,500 - 2,999 band at 28.5%. With 41.7% of the population receiving under $800 per week, local household budgets face marked limitations. Housing cost burdens are prominent, leaving an income retention rate of only 83.1%, placing the suburb in the 4th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Acton - Upper Burnie had 1,445 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 85% detached houses and 0% apartments. 30% are owned with a mortgage, 41% rented and 30% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $238 a week and the median mortgage repayment $989 a month. Rent absorbs 24.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, standalone houses constitute 85.1% of the housing stock in Acton - Upper Burnie, with other dwellings (including apartments, semi-detached properties, and alternative formats) making up 14.9%, compared to 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings across Regional Tas.. Outright home ownership stands at 30.0%, trailing the wider region, while mortgaged properties account for 29.5% and rental accommodations represent 40.5%. Median monthly mortgage costs within the community sit at $989, well below the $1,274 recorded across Regional Tas., and weekly median rents average $238 compared to the regional figure of $250.
When evaluated against broader national averages, mortgage repayments in Acton - Upper Burnie are notably lower than the Australian benchmark of $1,863, and weekly rents track considerably under the national level of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Acton - Upper Burnie counted 1,445 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 20% are couples with children, fewer than in 87% of areas nationally, against 23% couples without children. 40% 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 form the primary household structure at 57.7%, consisting of 22.8% couples without children, 19.8% couples with children, and 13.8% single parent families. Non-family living arrangements account for the other 42.3%, dominated by single-person households at 40.3% alongside group households at 2.3%. The typical household size is 2.1 people, tracking below the Regional Tas. norm of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
10.9% of adults in Acton - Upper Burnie hold a university qualification, including 7.9% with a bachelor degree and 1.5% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 95% of areas nationally. A further 31.1% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 130 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 931 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
Educational attainment levels present ongoing challenges, as only 10.9% of residents hold higher education degrees compared to 30.4% across the country, indicating a clear scope for future educational programs. Within tertiary achievements, bachelor degrees account for 7.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 1.5% and graduate diplomas at 1.5%. Vocational training is widely represented, with 37.4% of the population aged 15+ possessing trade qualifications, comprising certificates (31.1%) and advanced diplomas (6.3%). Active learning participation is strong across the suburb, with 26.4% of residents undertaking formal study. This cohort comprises 11.9% attending primary schools, 7.3% enrolled in secondary education, and 2.0% engaged in higher education studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Acton - Upper Burnie reaches 18 stops on 55 routes, timetabled for about 5,200 services a week. The typical home sits about 200 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.0 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 services in Acton - Upper Burnie are delivered through 18 active transit stops primarily serving bus transit. These boarding locations are connected to 55 individual routes that support 5,178 weekly passenger trips. Access to the network is favorable, with local dwellings situated an average of 198 meters from the closest stop. Reflecting its residential character, outward travel is common, and private vehicles remain the dominant choice at 95%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.0 per dwelling, sitting below regional norms, while 3.3% of workers worked from home according to the 2021 Census, a figure potentially influenced by pandemic conditions.
Transit schedules provide a combined volume of 739 trips per day across the network, translating to an average of 287 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
56.8% of residents in Acton - Upper Burnie report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 86% of areas nationally. 8.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 47.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.3 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 evaluated by AreaSearch indicate notable difficulties for Acton - Upper Burnie, marked by the prevalence of chronic conditions and mortality measures across both older and younger demographics. Furthermore, private healthcare coverage remains low, with roughly 47% of the total population (~1,597 people) holding private insurance, compared to the nationwide benchmark of 55.7%. Asthma and mental health conditions are the most prevalent ailments locally, reported by 10.7% and 12.3% of the community respectively, while 56.8% of individuals reported no chronic medical conditions, trailing the 62.0% recorded across Regional Tas..
Elevated rates of long-term health issues are particularly evident among working-age individuals. Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 21.7% of the population (732 people), a lower proportion than the 25.1% seen in Regional Tas., with health outcomes in this cohort reflecting broader population trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Acton - Upper Burnie is largely Australian-born, at 90.6% of residents, with 3.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (37.6%) and English (32.7%). 6.7% 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
Measures of cultural diversity in Acton - Upper Burnie sit below broader averages, with Australian-born citizens comprising 90.6% of residents, total citizenship reaching 91.6%, and 96.1% speaking only English in their households. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, encompassing 36.8% of the local population. Meanwhile, Hinduism represents 0.9% of the local community, compared to 1.1% throughout Regional Tas.. Regarding ancestral background based on parental birthplace, the three most common heritages in Acton - Upper Burnie are Australian at 37.6% (exceeding the regional benchmark of 32.6%), English at 32.7%, and Australian Aboriginal at 6.7%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Acton - Upper Burnie is 38. 26.1% 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 Acton - Upper Burnie leans toward a younger age distribution. Based on estimates updated to August 2026, 26.7% of the local population falls into the young to middle aged adult category (25 - 44), compared to 23.0% in Regional Tas., whereas 21.9% are within the middle aged and young retiree group (45 - 64), below the regional share of 25.6%. As of August 2026, the median age is estimated at 38, matching the 2021 Census outcome and sitting 7 years under the regional figure of 45 recorded at that Census.
Since the Census, the most significant proportional increase has occurred among seniors and retirees (65+), rising from 20.4% to an estimated 21.7%. Looking toward 2041, senior cohorts are projected to generate the majority of population growth, adding 59 residents (8%) to reach a total of 792, while counts for younger age brackets and middle aged cohorts are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Acton - Upper Burnie
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 SA2 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 — 30 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,270 at the 2021 Census → 3,371 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 (604011075). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.