Devonport

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

According to the analysis conducted by AreaSearch, the population of Devonport stands at approximately 14,778 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 297 individuals (2.1%) from the 14,481 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. This population shift is calculated utilizing the ABS estimated resident population of 14,776 from June 2025 alongside 110 validated new addresses registered after the Census date. The resulting population density is 1,437 persons per square kilometer, a figure that exceeds the average of national locations evaluated by AreaSearch. The post-census growth of 2.1% is within 1.7 percentage points of the broader SA4 region's rate of 3.8%, indicating competitive expansion dynamics. Net population gains during the latest intervals were almost entirely attributable to overseas migration.

Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024, using 2022 as the base year, are utilized by AreaSearch for each SA2 area. For SA2 areas where this data is unavailable, and to calculate age cohort growth beyond 2032, regional and LGA projections from the Tasmania State Government released in 2022 (with a 2021 base year) are utilized, applying a weighted aggregation method of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Based on these demographic expectations, growth is projected to align with the lower quartile of non-capital city locations, with the region expected to add 151 residents by 2041 relative to the latest annual ERP figures, representing a 1.0% increase overall across the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Devonport, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Approximately 33 homes receive development approval in Devonport annually, with a total of 169 dwellings approved over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 12 approvals have been documented. Since the population decreased in the preceding timeframe, residential supply has remained sufficient to meet demand, leading to a balanced market environment with favorable options for purchasers, while newly built properties average a value of $256,000. Furthermore, commercial approvals totaling $70.8 million have been registered in the current financial year, demonstrating robust development momentum in the commercial sector.

Devonport exhibits considerably lower construction activity compared to the Rest of Tas., sitting at 61.0% below the regional per capita average. This limited introduction of new housing stock generally bolsters demand and valuations for existing properties. The building volume is also lower than national benchmarks, indicating market maturity and potential development bottlenecks. Recent building activity consists of 91.0% detached houses and 9.0% attached homes, preserving the established low-density character of the area with a focus on spacious family residences. A ratio of approximately 710 people per residential approval indicates a highly mature market.

Looking forward, the population of Devonport is projected to increase by 148 residents by 2041, starting from the most recent quarterly estimate by AreaSearch. Provided current construction volumes persist, incoming housing supply is anticipated to easily satisfy demand, maintaining favorable conditions for buyers and potentially underpinning expansion exceeding current population forecasts.

Devonport has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 17thth percentile nationally

Regional development is heavily influenced by local infrastructure improvements, major projects, and municipal planning strategies. AreaSearch has identified a total of 19 projects expected to impact the local community. Prominent examples include the Devonport Mental Health Hub, the Devonport Oval Sports Complex, the Devonport Showground Housing Development, and the Spirit of Tasmania New Vessels and Port Upgrade, with details provided below for those of greatest significance.

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.

AreaSearch assessment indicates Devonport faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

The labor force in Devonport is evenly distributed between white and blue-collar roles, with a strong presence in essential services, an unemployment rate of 5.9%, and an estimated job growth rate of 3.1% over the past year. As of March 2026, there are 6,729 employed residents, with an unemployment rate 2.0% higher than the Regional Tas. rate of 3.9%, while workforce participation closely matches the Regional Tas. average of 58.8%. Census data indicates that a minimal 4.9% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure should be interpreted in the context of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

The primary sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The locality exhibits a distinct concentration in retail trade, where the employment share is 1.2 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is less represented, accounting for 5.7% of jobs compared to the regional average of 8.4%. Although local positions are available, the ratio of Census working population to the locally employed population suggests a significant proportion of residents travel outside the area for employment.

Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics, the year ending March 2026 saw employment levels rise by 3.1% and the labor force expand by 3.3%, which led to a 0.1 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. This trajectory diverges from Regional Tas., where employment expanded by 1.8%, the labor force increased by 1.7%, and unemployment experienced a minor decline. National employment forecasts published by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional context on future local demand. These five and ten-year projections have been aligned with the local employment profile to model potential expansion. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sector growth rates vary. Projecting these trends onto Devonport's specific industry composition indicates that local employment would grow by 6.1% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, noting that this simple weighted extrapolation is for illustrative purposes and excludes localized population forecasts.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

According to the most recent postcode-level ATO data released for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the Devonport SA2 recorded a median income of $47,849 and an average income of $56,055. These figures sit below national averages, and compare to a median of $49,689 and an average of $59,358 in Regional Tas. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.95% since the 2023 financial year, updated estimates for March 2026 would be roughly $53,088 for the median and $62,193 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in Devonport were positioned between the 7th and 14th percentiles nationwide. The $400 - 799 weekly income bracket is the most common, accounting for 28.6% of residents (4,226 people), whereas the surrounding region is dominated by the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket at 28.5%. Housing affordability presents a major challenge, with residents retaining only 84.3% of their income, placing the area in the 8th percentile.

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

At the time of the latest Census, the breakdown of dwellings in Devonport stood at 83.4% standalone houses and 16.7% alternative dwelling types (comprising semi-detached properties, apartments, and other housing units), compared to 89.9% houses and 10.1% alternative dwellings in Regional Tas. The home ownership rate in Devonport was lower than the Regional Tas. benchmark, sitting at 34.1%, with the remaining properties being purchased under a mortgage (28.9%) or occupied by tenants (37.0%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,192, below the Regional Tas. average of $1,274, while the median weekly rent was recorded at $250, matching the Regional Tas. median of $250. Nationally, Devonport's median mortgage repayments are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are considerably below the national benchmark of $375.

Devonport features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute the majority of dwellings at 61.3%, which includes 20.2% couples with children, 25.8% couples without children, and 14.2% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 38.7% of the total, with single-person households representing 35.5% and group households making up 3.2%. The median household size of 2.2 residents is slightly below the Regional Tas. average of 2.3.

Devonport faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

Educational attainment in the area presents challenges, as university qualification rates of 16.2% are significantly lower than the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for targeted educational programs. Among degree holders, bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.5% and graduate diplomas at 1.5%. Vocational and technical qualifications are highly prevalent, with 38.2% of residents aged 15 and over holding credentials in these areas, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.3%) and certificates (28.9%).

Active participation in education is high, with 25.6% of the population enrolled in an educational institution. This figure is comprised of 10.2% in primary schools, 7.2% in secondary schools, and 2.5% undertaking tertiary studies.

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

An assessment of local transit options indicates there are 2 active public transport stops in Devonport, which are serviced by a combination of buses. These stops accommodate 6 distinct routes that together provide 156 weekly passenger trips. Public transport accessibility is classified as limited, with the average distance to the nearest stop being 1592 meters. Due to the residential nature of the area, most commuters travel out of the suburb, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 92%, followed by walking at 5%. Average vehicle ownership is 1.2 cars per dwelling, which is below the regional average. A relatively low proportion of residents (4.9%) worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.

Service frequency across the active routes averages 22 trips per day, which translates to roughly 78 weekly trips per transport stop.

Health performance in Devonport is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Analysis of mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic illnesses by AreaSearch highlights significant health challenges in Devonport, with various conditions affecting both younger and older segments of the population. Furthermore, the rate of private health insurance coverage is very low, encompassing approximately 48% of the population (~7,019 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent chronic conditions in the locality are arthritis and mental health issues, which affect 11.7% and 10.8% of the population, respectively. In comparison, 59.3% of residents reported having no long-term health conditions, relative to 62.0% across Regional Tas. The working-age cohort exhibits elevated rates of chronic illness, indicating notable health struggles. Residents aged 65 and over make up 24.1% of the population (3,567 people), with health outcomes for seniors tracking closely to national cohorts of similar age.

Devonport is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Devonport exhibits lower cultural diversity relative to broader averages, with citizens making up 89.9% of the population, 88.0% of residents born in Australia, and 93.5% of households speaking only English. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 41.8% of residents. The most notable religious overrepresentation is Hinduism, which represents 1.6% of the local population compared to 1.1% across Regional Tas.

Regarding parental country of birth, the three largest ancestry groups in Devonport are English (34.4%), Australian (33.2%), and Irish (7.1%). There are also notable differences in the proportions of other ethnic backgrounds: Australian Aboriginal residents represent 4.7% of the population (compared to 4.1% regionally), Vietnamese residents represent 0.3% (compared to 0.1%), and Filipino residents represent 0.8% (compared to 0.4%).

Devonport's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Devonport is 43 years, slightly below the Regional Tas. average of 45 years but significantly higher than the national median of 38 years. Relative to Regional Tas., there is a notable concentration of residents in the 25 - 34 age bracket (13.0% locally), while the 65 - 74 bracket is less represented (11.2%). Since 2021, the 35 to 44 age cohort has expanded from 10.9% to 12.3% of the population, and the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 8.1% to 9.5%, while the 65 to 74 group decreased from 12.2% to 11.2%. Demographic projections indicate the age profile will change considerably by 2041, with the 85+ cohort expected to grow by 279 people (55%) from 508 to 788. The combined cohorts aged 65 and over are projected to make up 73% of total population growth, highlighting the aging trend, while declines are anticipated in the 15 to 24 and 0 to 4 age brackets.