Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds' population is around 5470 as of February 2026. This reflects an increase of 295 people, a 5.7% rise since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 5175 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 5385 in June 2024 and an additional 85 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 4.0 persons per square kilometer. Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds' growth of 5.7% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's 4.5%, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 80.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Over this period, projections indicate an overall population decline of 236 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, specific age cohorts like the 75 to 84 group are projected to increase, with an expected rise of 191 people in this age range.

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

Between financial years 2021 and 2025, Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds saw approximately 66 dwellings approved for development. This represents around 13 approvals per year. As of June 2026, a further 3 dwellings have been approved in the current financial year.

Each dwelling constructed over these years has brought an average of 3.7 new residents annually to the area. The demand for housing significantly outpaces supply, which typically influences prices upwards and intensifies competition among buyers. New homes are being built at an average construction cost value of $225,000. Commercial approvals this financial year totalled $1.5 million, indicating a residential focus in the area.

Compared to other regions in Tasmania, Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds records about 65% of building activity per capita and ranks at the 34th percentile nationally, reflecting relatively constrained buyer choice and interest in existing properties. All new construction since 2021 has consisted of detached dwellings, preserving the area's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes. This results in an estimated population density of about 503 people per dwelling approval. With stable or declining population forecasts, housing pressure may ease, creating favourable conditions for buyers in Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds.

Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 37thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 23 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Penguin District School Redevelopment, Dial Regional Sports Complex Infrastructure Upgrades, Ironcliffe Road Upgrade Project, and Penguin Town Centre Masterplan. Below is a list detailing those 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.

Employment conditions in Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Burnie-Ulverstone Surrounds has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are strongly represented. The unemployment rate is 2.4%, with an estimated employment growth of 6.2% over the past year as of September 2025.

There are 2,991 residents in work, with an unemployment rate of 1.4% below Rest of Tas.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation is high at 67.6%, compared to Rest of Tas.'s 58.6%. Census responses show that 12.8% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.

The area has a strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 2.0 times the regional level. In contrast, accommodation & food employs only 5.0% of local workers, below Rest of Tas.'s 7.7%. Analysis shows that over a 12-month period, employment increased by 6.2%, while labour force grew by 5.9%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.3 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Tas., where employment rose by 0.7% and unemployment fell by 0.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Burnie-Ulverstone Surrounds' employment should increase by 5.4% over five years and 12.0% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds SA2 had a median income of $49,869 and an average income of $59,825. This is lower than the national averages of $49,689 (median) and $59,358 (average) for Rest of Tas. Assuming a 9.6% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $54,656 (median) and $65,568 (average). Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds rank modestly, between the 26th and 32nd percentiles. Income analysis reveals that the majority of residents, 32.8% or 1,794 people, fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, similar to regional levels where 28.5% occupy this bracket. Housing costs are manageable with 89.3% retained, but disposable income is below average at the 38th percentile.

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

The dwelling structure in Burnie-Ulverstone Surrounds, as per the latest Census, consisted of 99.5% houses and 0.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Tas.'s 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Burnie-Ulverstone Surrounds stood at 45.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 42.9% and rented ones at 11.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, higher than Non-Metro Tas.'s average of $1,274. The median weekly rent was $225, lower than Non-Metro Tas.'s figure of $250. Nationally, Burnie-Ulverstone Surrounds' mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,300 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 76.8% of all households, including 31.1% couples with children, 37.3% couples without children, and 7.5% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 23.2%, consisting of 21.6% lone person households and 1.4% group households. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Rest of Tas. average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 12.8%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common, with 8.9% of residents holding one, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent among residents aged 15+, with 44.1% having them, including advanced diplomas at 9.0% and certificates at 35.1%. Educational participation is high, with 25.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes primary (9.9%), secondary (7.9%), and tertiary (3.0%) education levels.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds' health metrics align closely with national benchmarks. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were assessed by AreaSearch, showing a standard level of common health conditions across both young and old age cohorts.

Private health cover is found to be low at approximately 49% (~2,674 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.3%) and asthma (8.2%). A total of 66.6% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 62.0% in Rest of Tas. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Approximately 21.1% of residents are aged 65 and over (1,154 people), lower than the 24.9% in Rest of Tas. Health outcomes among seniors rank above average nationally.

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

Burnie-Ulverstone Surrounds, as per the 2016 Census, showed lower cultural diversity with 90.8% of its population born in Australia, 92.5% being citizens, and 98.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 38.7%. Judaism's representation was slightly higher than average, at 0.1% compared to the Rest of Tas.'s 0.1%.

In terms of ancestry, Australian (38.6%) and English (33.0%) were the most represented, both higher than regional averages. Scottish ancestry stood at 6.9%. Notably, Dutch (1.8%), Australian Aboriginal (5.1%), and New Zealand (0.6%) ethnicities had higher representations compared to regional averages.

Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds has a median age of 45 years, matching the Rest of Tas. average but exceeding the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 55-64 are particularly prominent, making up 16.4% of the population, while those aged 75-84 make up a smaller proportion at 6.3%. This is higher than the Rest of Tas. and the national average of 11.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 4.5% to 6.3%, while the 65 to 74 cohort has increased from 12.3% to 13.5%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 15.1% to 12.6% and the 55 to 64 group has dropped from 17.7% to 16.4%. By 2041, Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds is expected to see significant shifts in its age composition. The 75 to 84 age group is projected to grow by 39%, reaching 481 people from 346. The aging population trend is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising all of the projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 25 to 34 age groups.