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 5460 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 285 people (5.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5175 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5385 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 81 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 4.0 persons per square kilometer, providing ample space per person. Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds' 5.5% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (4.4%) and the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth, contributing approximately 80.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and to estimate growth by age group in the years post-2032, the Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year, with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Moving forward with demographic trends, projections indicate a decline in overall population over this period, with the area's population expected to decline by 236 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 75 to 84 age group, which is projected to increase by 191 people.

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 is an average of around 13 dwellings receiving approval annually. In the current financial year 2026, up to March, 3 dwellings have been approved.

Each dwelling constructed over these years has resulted in an average of 3.7 new residents arriving annually. The demand for housing significantly outpaces supply, which can put upward pressure on prices and increase competition among buyers. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $225,000. This financial year, $1.5 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating the area's residential nature.

Compared to the rest of Tasmania, Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds records about 65% of building activity per person, placing it around the 34th percentile nationally. This results in relatively constrained buyer choice and supports interest in existing properties. The area's new construction has been entirely comprised of detached dwellings, maintaining its traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. With an estimated 503 people per dwelling approval, it reflects a quiet, low activity development environment. Given stable or declining population forecasts, Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds may experience less housing pressure in the future, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 23 projects that could affect this region. Notable projects include Penguin District School Redevelopment, Dial Regional Sports Complex Infrastructure Upgrades, Ironcliffe Road Upgrade Project, and Penguin Town Centre Masterplan. The following list details those most likely to be 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 prominent, unemployment is low at 2.4%, and employment growth over the past year was estimated at 6.2%. As of September 2025, there were 2,991 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.4% below Rest of Tas.'s rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation is high at 67.7%, compared to Rest of Tas.'s 58.7%. Census responses show that only 12.8% of residents work from home, potentially impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns. Employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing (2.0 times the regional level), health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Accommodation & food employs just 5.0%, below Rest of Tas.'s 7.7%.

The area may have limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by resident population versus working population counts. Over a 12-month period ending in September 2025, employment increased by 6.2% while labour force grew by 5.9%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Tas. saw employment rise by 0.7%, labour force grow by 0.5%, and unemployment fall by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across sectors. Applying these projections to Burnie-Ulverstone Surrounds' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.4% over five years and 12.0% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2023 shows that in Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds SA2, median income is $49,869 and average income is $59,825. This is lower than national averages of $49,689 (median) and $59,358 (average) for Rest of Tas. By September 2025, estimates suggest median income will be approximately $54,656 and average income $65,568, based on a 9.6% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. Census data indicates that Burnie - Ulverstone Surrounds ranks modestly for household, family, and personal incomes, between the 26th and 32nd percentiles. Income analysis reveals that 32.8% of residents (1,790 people) fall into the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket, similar to regional levels at 28.5%. Housing costs allow for 89.3% retention, but disposable income is below average, ranking at the 38th percentile.

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

In Burnie-Ulverstone Surrounds, as per the latest Census, 99.5% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 0.5% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This compares to Non-Metro Tas.'s figures of 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Burnie-Ulverstone Surrounds stood at 45.8%, with mortgaged properties making up 42.9% and rented dwellings accounting for 11.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, higher than Non-Metro Tas.'s average of $1,274. The median weekly rent in the area was $225, lower than Non-Metro Tas.'s figure of $250. Nationally, Burnie-Ulverstone Surrounds had significantly lower mortgage repayments ($1,300 vs Australia's average of $1,863) and substantially lower rents ($225 vs national average of $375).

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

Family households constitute 76.8% of all households, consisting of 31.1% couples with children, 37.3% couples without children, and 7.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 23.2%, with lone person households at 21.6% and group households comprising 1.4% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is 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%. This indicates a need for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 44.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.0%) and certificates (35.1%).

Educational participation is high, with 25.6% currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 9.9% in primary, 7.9% in secondary, and 3.0% in tertiary education.

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

Ulverstone Surrounds' health metrics closely align with national benchmarks based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are standard for both young and old age groups.

Private health cover is low at approximately 49% of the total population (~2,669 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (10.3%) and asthma (8.2%). About 66.6% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 62.0% in Rest of Tas.. Working-age population health challenges include elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 20.4% of residents aged 65 and over (1,113 people), lower than the state average of 24.3%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

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 had a cultural diversity index of below average, 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% of people in Burnie-Ulverstone Surrounds as of 2016 Census data. Judaism, however, had an overrepresentation with 0.1% of the population compared to the Rest of Tas average of 0.1%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were Australian (38.6%), English (33.0%), and Scottish (6.9%). Notably, Dutch ancestry was slightly overrepresented at 1.8%, Australian Aboriginal at 5.1%, and New Zealand at 0.6% compared to regional averages.

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

At age 45, Burnie-Ulverstone Surrounds' median age matches Rest of Tas.'s average of 45 years but exceeds the national average by substantially more than 7 years. The age profile shows that those aged 55-64 are particularly prominent at 16.5%, while those aged 75-84 are comparatively smaller at 5.9% than in Rest of Tas., which is above the national average of 11.2%. Between 2021 and the present, the population aged 75 to 84 has grown from 4.5% to 5.9%, while those aged 65 to 74 increased from 12.3% to 13.5%. Conversely, those aged 45 to 54 have declined from 15.1% to 13.3%, and the 55 to 64 group has dropped from 17.7% to 16.5%. By 2041, Burnie-Ulverstone Surrounds is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. Leading this demographic shift, the population aged 75 to 84 is projected to grow by 49%, reaching 481 people from a current total of 322. This aging population trend is evident, with those aged 65 and above comprising all of the projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for those aged 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 years.