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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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Derwent Valley has an estimated 3,482 residents, up from 3,324 at the 2021 Census — a change of 158 people, or 4.8%. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. 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 investigations by AreaSearch, the population of Derwent Valley stands at approximately 3,482 by May 2026. This indicates a growth of 158 residents (4.8%) relative to the 2021 Census, which registered 3,324 citizens. This trend is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 3,464 combined with 68 validated new addresses recorded after the Census. The region holds a density of 2.7 persons per square kilometer, ensuring resident spacing remains generous. The 4.8% population expansion in Derwent Valley outpaced the Tasmanian average of 4.0% as well as the Rest of Tas.
region, establishing it as a frontrunner for growth locally. The population increases were primarily fueled by incoming overseas migrants, who represented roughly 61.1% of the total demographic gains, though positive contributions were also observed from interstate migration and natural population growth. Projections published in 2024 by the ABS and Geoscience Australia utilizing 2022 as their baseline year have been integrated by AreaSearch for SA2 areas. For locations lacking this coverage, and to calculate age group shifts beyond the year 2032, regional projections from the Tasmania State Government released in 2022 with a 2021 baseline are applied, utilizing weighted aggregation of population changes from LGA scales to SA2 boundaries. Reflecting these anticipated demographic transitions, long-term forecasts suggest a shrinking local populace, with a projected reduction of 145 residents by 2041 under this framework. Conversely, expansion is projected in certain age cohorts, particularly individuals aged 75 to 84, who are expected to rise by 75 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
47 new dwellings have been approved in Derwent Valley over the past five years, an average of 9 a year. That is 2.7 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 6, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Approval rates in Derwent Valley stand at roughly 9 dwellings per year, yielding a total of 47 residential approvals over the preceding 5 financial years. During FY-26, 6 building approvals have been logged. Over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, an average of 1 person moved to the region per built dwelling, indicating aligned supply and demand forces that support market stability, though this ratio dropped to 0.5 people per dwelling over the last 2 financial years to show balanced supply. Approved development initiatives show a mean construction value of $307,000.
In addition, commercial development approvals reached $12.0 million this financial year, pointing to steady commercial building activities. In comparison to the Rest of Tas. region, the volume of building activity per resident in Derwent Valley is roughly half, placing the area in the 52nd percentile among all nationwide locations evaluated. This volume also trails the national benchmark, reflecting a mature community status and possible planning constraints. Furthermore, all new residential approvals consisted of detached houses, maintaining low-density neighborhood characteristics and highlighting a focus on detached layouts that appeal to buyers seeking spaciousness. The ratio of 363 people for every single dwelling approval reflects a tranquil environment with minimal development activity. Given that demographic models indicate static or contracting numbers, housing demand pressures are anticipated to ease in Derwent Valley, which should prove advantageous for prospective home buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Derwent Valley
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Derwent Valley, worth an estimated $70 million. A further 60 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $3.99 billion. 14 are already under construction and 24 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. 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
Local performance is heavily driven by updates to regional infrastructure, key projects, and planning changes. AreaSearch has tracked 14 developments expected to influence this locality. Primary initiatives include the Incat Boyer Ferry Manufacturing Facility, The Agrarian Kitchen Expansion, the Derwent Valley Health and Wellbeing Hub, and the Willow Court Heritage Precinct Redevelopment, with details provided below for the most significant projects.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Incat Boyer Ferry Manufacturing Facility
New 12-hectare shipbuilding facility at the Boyer Mill site for constructing hulls and decks for electric ferries. Features a 240x120m production facility capable of constructing three large vessels simultaneously before transport down the River Derwent. Expected to create 500 new jobs and double Incat's workforce.
New Norfolk Distillery Expansion
Adaptive reuse and expansion of heritage buildings at the historic Willow Court precinct into Tasmania's first dedicated rum distillery since 1838. The multi-stage master plan incorporates an expanded micro-distillery, visitor tasting bar, commercial kitchen, and community event venue.
New Norfolk Market Redevelopment
Redevelopment of High Street market facilities to enhance tourist appeal and support local producers. Part of broader town centre revitalization efforts.
Willow Court Heritage Precinct Redevelopment
Adaptive reuse of Australia's oldest continually operated asylum site. Includes heritage interpretation centre, tourism facilities, hospitality venues, and potential museum development. Multiple buildings undergoing restoration.
Campus7140 Education Centre
Adaptive reuse of the former Royal Derwent Hospital nurses quarters within The Mills precinct into Campus7140, a proposed education, training and conferencing centre targeting universities, registered training organisations, corporate education providers and government agencies. Public information indicates the concept remains in the planning phase while broader activity continues across the wider Mills precinct.
The Agrarian Kitchen Expansion
Expansion of the award-winning Agrarian Kitchen restaurant and cooking school within the Willow Court heritage precinct in New Norfolk. The cooking school relocated into a newly-constructed wing in 2022, joining the existing restaurant and kiosk (opened 2020) under one roof, centred on a one-acre walled kitchen garden. The venue was named Restaurant of the Year at the 2024 Gourmet Traveller Annual Restaurant Awards, the first Tasmanian restaurant to win the award in its 45-year history, and retained its Tasmanian State Winner title in 2025.
Health Hub on The Avenue
A $11.7 million landmark redevelopment and restoration of two 1930s hospital buildings on The Avenue in New Norfolk, developed by Corumbene Care. The two buildings - Esperance House and Derwent House - have been linked by an atrium and transformed into a 2000 square metre health and wellbeing precinct. Tenants include the University of Tasmania Centre for Rural Health, Hobart Pathology, New Norfolk Health Centre (GP Collective), Next Level Wellness and Recovery Centre, Corumbene Rural Primary Health, and a cafe.The hub was officially opened in May 2024 by the Governor of Tasmania.
Noble Life New Norfolk Resort
Noble Life New Norfolk Resort is a $75 million over-50s lifestyle community set on 9.5 hectares in the Derwent Valley. Following the 2024 administration of the broader Mills Precinct, Noble Life proceeded independently. Construction is actively underway, with the first concrete slabs for Stage One poured in March 2026. Stage One delivers 26 two- and three-bedroom homes built in partnership with Wilson Homes, with the first residents expected by late 2026. Upon completion, the gated resort will feature 186 homes, a clubhouse, heated indoor pool, cinema, library, and gym.
1,771 residents of Derwent Valley are employed, from a labour force of 1,831. Unemployment sits at 3.3%, with participation at 61.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,842, about 82% 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 workforce in Derwent Valley displays a balanced distribution of blue-collar and white-collar roles, with a solid representation of essential service industries, a low unemployment rate of 3.3%, and an estimated job growth rate of 11.2% over the previous year. As of March 2026, 1,771 local citizens are employed, with the unemployment rate tracking 0.7% lower than the Regional Tas. rate of 3.9%, and participation rates are standard at 61.2% compared to 58.8% for Regional Tas. Data from the Census indicates a modest 9.6% of workers performed their duties from home, though the influence of pandemic restrictions should be kept in mind.
The primary sectors employing residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and agriculture, forestry & fishing. The area exhibits a specific concentration in the construction sector, employing residents at 1.3 times the rate seen across the wider region. In contrast, retail trade is less prominent, employing 7.9% of the local workforce compared to 10.1% throughout Regional Tas. The relationship between the count of working residents and local jobs suggests a shortage of employment opportunities within the immediate area. AreaSearch assessment of SALM and ABS statistics shows that over the 12-month period, local employment expanded by 11.2% while the labor force increased by 10.6%, leading to a decrease in unemployment of 0.6 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, Regional Tas. experienced a 1.8% rise in employment, a 1.7% expansion in the labor force, and a minor reduction in unemployment. National forecasts released in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide additional context regarding future demand in Derwent Valley. These five-year and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce mix to model potential growth trends. Globally, national employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with distinct variations across different sectors. Adjusting for the specific industry composition of Derwent Valley suggests that local employment may grow by 6.0% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Derwent Valley is $1,333 a week (about $69,000 a year), with median personal income at $641 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $49,378 a year against an average of $54,544. 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
Tax data compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year indicates that the Derwent Valley SA2 has income levels below the national average. The median income among local taxpayers is $49,378, while the average income is $54,544, contrasting with the Regional Tas. median of $49,689 and average of $59,358. Applying Wage Price Index growth of 10.95% since the 2023 financial year yields estimated figures of approximately $54,785 for the median and $60,517 for the average by March 2026. The 2021 Census records that household, family, and individual incomes in Derwent Valley fall between the 17th and 22nd percentiles nationwide.
The local income distribution shows that 32.0% of the population (1,114 individuals) falls within the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings bracket, matching regional dynamics where 28.5% of earners occupy this tier. Even though living costs are modest, leaving residents with 88.1% of their income, total disposable income sits in the 28th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Derwent Valley had 1,195 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 98% detached houses and 0% apartments. 47% are owned with a mortgage, 10% rented and 44% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $258 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,239 a month. Rent absorbs 19.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to Census findings, the composition of residential properties in Derwent Valley was 98.2% houses and 1.9% alternative housing types, such as semi-detached homes, apartments, or other dwellings, compared to 89.9% houses and 10.1% alternative types in Regional Tas. The rate of home ownership in Derwent Valley was higher than the regional average, standing at 43.6%, while mortgaged properties accounted for 46.7% and rented homes made up 9.7%. The median monthly mortgage payment was below the Regional Tas. median at $1,239, while the median weekly rent was $258, compared to $1,274 and $250 respectively in Regional Tas.
In comparison to national benchmarks, mortgage payments in Derwent Valley are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents remain well below the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Derwent Valley counted 1,195 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.6 people each. 31% are couples with children, against 33% couples without children. 24% 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 make up the majority of households at 74.3%, consisting of couples with children at 31.4%, couples without children at 32.7%, and single parents at 9.7%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 25.7%, with single-person households representing 23.7% and group households comprising 1.3%. The median household occupancy of 2.6 residents exceeds the Regional Tas. median of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.3% of adults in Derwent Valley hold a university qualification, including 8.6% with a bachelor degree and 3.3% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 91% of areas nationally. A further 32.1% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 260 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 898 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 challenges exist within the region, as the university qualification rate of 13.3% is notably below the national benchmark of 30.4%, pointing to an area where focused educational programs could make an impact. Among these qualifications, bachelor degrees represent 8.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.3% and graduate diplomas at 1.4%. Vocational and technical training is highly represented, with 41.4% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 9.3% and certificates at 32.1%. Enrolment levels in education are quite high, with 28.3% of the population participating in formal study.
This student population includes 12.0% in primary schooling, 8.8% in secondary schooling, and 2.5% undertaking tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Derwent Valley means driving: households keep an average of 2.1 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
62.7% of residents in Derwent Valley report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 78% of areas nationally. 7.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.8% 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
Assessments of mortality metrics and chronic disease rates by AreaSearch point to notable health challenges in Derwent Valley, with common illnesses affecting both younger and older cohorts, and private healthcare enrollment tracking low at roughly 47% of the community (~1,629 people). This compares to a rate of 49.1% throughout Regional Tas. and a national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent health diagnoses in the region were mental health conditions and arthritis, affecting 10.9% and 10.1% of the population, respectively, while 62.7% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 62.0% in Regional Tas.
Chronic condition rates are elevated among the working-age cohort. Residents aged 65 and older represent 21.1% of the local population (733 people), which is lower than the Regional Tas. figure of 24.9%. Seniors in the area display above-average health outcomes, with national rankings surpassing those of the broader local community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Derwent Valley is largely Australian-born, at 89.6% of residents, with 1.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (35.9%) and Australian (34.2%). 4.5% 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
Derwent Valley exhibits lower levels of cultural diversity relative to typical benchmarks, with citizens making up 90.4% of the population, Australian-born individuals representing 89.6%, and 98.1% of residents speaking only English in their households. Christianity is the dominant religious affiliation, representing 44.1% of the population. The most prominent demographic divergence is found in Judaism, which represents 0.3% of the community compared to 0.1% across Regional Tas. Regarding ancestral backgrounds based on parents' birthplaces, the three largest groups in Derwent Valley are English at 35.9%, Australian at 34.2%, and Irish at 8.1%.
There are also distinct variations among other heritages: Australian Aboriginal representation stands at 4.5% of the population compared to 4.1% regionally, Dutch background is at 1.6% compared to 1.7% regionally, and Welsh ancestry is at 0.5% compared to 0.4% regionally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Derwent Valley is 44. 22.9% 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 median age of 44 in Derwent Valley is close to the Regional Tas. median of 45, though it is higher than the national median of 38. The 45 - 54 age bracket is highly represented at 15.2% compared to Regional Tas., while the 25 - 34 cohort has a lower share at 9.3%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 75 to 84 cohort expanded from 4.4% to 6.5%, and the 65 to 74 cohort grew from 11.3% to 13.1%. In contrast, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 12.5% to 10.2%, and the 35 to 44 cohort shrank from 12.9% to 11.0%.
By 2041, demographic patterns in Derwent Valley will shift, with the 75 to 84 cohort projected to expand by 30% (68 people) to reach 295 from 226. The aging trend is pronounced, with individuals aged 65+ accounting for 75% of the projected growth, while population declines are forecasted for the 0 to 4 and 45 to 54 cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Derwent Valley
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 months ago 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 1 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 5 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 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month 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 — 68 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,324 at the 2021 Census → 3,482 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 May 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 (603011066). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.