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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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George Town has an estimated 7,632 residents, up from 7,118 at the 2021 Census — a change of 514 people, or 7.2%. Growth has averaged 0.5% a year over five years. 349 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 59.5% of that increase. Density is about 10 people per 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 population of George Town stands at approximately 7,632 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 514 people (7.2%) relative to the 2021 Census tally of 7,118 people. This updated total is derived from the ABS estimated resident population figure of 7,465 recorded as of June 2025, alongside 349 validated new addresses registered following the Census. The local population density corresponds to 10.2 persons per square kilometer, ensuring considerable personal space. Outpacing both the statewide rate (4.2%) and the wider SA4 region, George Town's 7.2% expansion since the 2021 census positions it as a regional frontrunner in demographic expansion, with interstate migration serving as the principal driver by accounting for roughly 59.5% of recent net population additions.
Projections for each SA2 area are sourced from ABS/Geoscience Australia data published in 2024 using 2022 as a baseline. Where SA2 coverage is absent, as well as for projecting cohort movements past 2032, figures from the Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA dataset released in 2022 (with 2021 as the base year) are incorporated via weighted aggregation from local government to SA2 levels. Under this modeling framework, long-range demographic shifts point toward an overall population contraction, decreasing by 63 persons by 2041. In contrast to this broader trajectory, certain older demographics are slated to expand, most notably the 75 to 84 age group, which is projected to gain 387 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
320 new dwellings have been approved in George Town over the past five years, an average of 64 a year. That places the area in the 61st percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 8 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 64 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 97% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential planning permissions in George Town have averaged roughly 64 dwellings per annum, amounting to 320 homes across the preceding 5 financial years. With incoming residents averaging only 0.6 new residents per year for each newly authorized dwelling over the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), additions to the housing stock are matching or outpacing demand, providing buyers with substantial selection and enabling future demographic growth. The expected construction cost for these newly approved residences averages $353,000. Underlining the predominantly residential character of local building activity, approved non-residential and commercial projects totalled $2.5 million this financial year.
Building activity in George Town is moderately elevated relative to Rest of Tas., sitting 26.0% above regional average per person over the 5 year period, which maintains market choice while underwriting local real estate values. Detached houses account for 97.0% of recent residential approvals compared to 3.0% attached dwellings, maintaining low-density suburban appeal tailored to buyers prioritizing space. Furthermore, recording approximately 119 people per dwelling approval reflects the developmental characteristics of an active growth corridor. With demographic forecasts indicating stable or downward population trends, pressure on local housing availability is likely to moderate, fostering favorable conditions for prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around George Town
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 6 current infrastructure and development projects inside George Town, worth an estimated $5.22 billion. A further 66 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $12.2 billion. 15 are already under construction and 26 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and sports & recreation. 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
Infrastructure upgrades and major regional undertakings play a decisive role in shaping local economic performance. AreaSearch has pinpointed 8 projects poised to influence the district, highlighted by the Bell Bay Powerfuels Project, the H2TAS Renewable Hydrogen and Ammonia Facility, the South George Town Primary School Redevelopment, and the George Town 4-Townhouse Development.
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
Bell Bay Powerfuels Project
The Bell Bay Powerfuels Project is a planned commercial-scale green hydrogen and green methanol production plant located at the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone. The facility will incorporate a 240 MW water electrolysis plant and biomass gasification to yield up to 300,000 tonnes of green methanol per year for global maritime transport. Commercial feasibility and regulatory planning assessments are currently underway with targeted commercial operations.
South George Town Primary School Redevelopment
A $15.1 million major capital redevelopment of South George Town Primary School funded under the Tasmanian Government's School Building Blitz. The project will deliver contemporary learning areas, upgraded support spaces, administrative facilities, and external play amenities. Main construction works are scheduled across 2026 to 2028.
Bell Bay Wind Farm
Proposed renewable energy project comprising up to 28 wind turbines generating approximately 224 MW, alongside a 100 MW / 400 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). Declared a Major Project under the Tasmanian Land Use Planning and Approvals Act, the development is undergoing formal assessment by the Development Assessment Panel and the Tasmanian EPA.
H2TAS Renewable Hydrogen and Ammonia Facility
Woodside Energy proposed a commercial-scale renewable hydrogen and ammonia production facility at Long Reach (Bell Bay), Tasmania. The phased development targeted up to 1.7 GW of electrolysis capacity, with an initial phase of up to 300 MW producing approximately 200,000 tpa of ammonia for export to Japan in partnership with Marubeni Corporation and IHI Corporation. A long-term lease was secured at Austrak Business Park in 2021. The EPA Tasmania commenced environmental assessment in April 2022, but Woodside withdrew its Tasmanian environmental applications on 23 August 2024 citing unfavourable economics and a shift in Tasmanian Government hydrogen grant policy toward domestic supply only.As of 2025, the project is effectively abandoned with no path to revival indicated by Woodside.
George Town 4-Townhouse Development
Construction of four townhouses in George Town, funded by CrowdProperty and developed by Michael Ta. The project is expected to be completed approximately 15 months from the first drawdown (around mid-2024).
Palmerston to George Town High Voltage Transmission Lines
An 85-kilometre high voltage transmission line upgrade project completed in March 2014 by John Holland for Transend Networks. It involved 243 tower structures and three substations, significantly upgrading NW Tasmania's power grid.
21 Beatty Street, Beauty Point - Multiple Dwellings
Development application PA2023172 for construction of three new multiple dwellings at 21 Beatty Street, Beauty Point. West Tamar Council approved the application unanimously (9-0) at its Ordinary Council Meeting on 19 August 2025, after an earlier motion to refuse on density and private open space grounds was defeated. Conditions of approval include stormwater detention works, a new vehicle crossover on Beatty Street, front fencing height limits, western facade window screening, and a construction management plan for erosion and sediment control.The permit is valid for two years from the approval date and takes effect once the standard 14 day appeal period to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has passed.
West Tamar Highway Targeted Upgrades (Exeter to Launceston)
Targeted safety and capacity improvements along the West Tamar Highway corridor between Exeter and Launceston, forming part of the Northern Roads Package Stage 2. Works include intersection improvements, overtaking lanes, and road widening to improve safety and travel time reliability. Jointly funded on an 80:20 basis by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments.
2,899 residents of George Town are employed, from a labour force of 3,112. Unemployment sits at 6.8%, with participation at 48.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. 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 labour market in George Town encompasses a blend of blue-collar and white-collar roles, anchored heavily by the manufacturing and industrial sectors, while the jobless rate sits at 6.8%. As of March 2026, employed residents total 2,899, with local unemployment registering 2.9% higher than the Regional Tas. benchmark of 3.9%. Furthermore, labour force engagement remains subdued, showing a participation rate of 48.9% against 58.7% across Regional Tas.. Census data indicates that merely 8.2% of workers performed their duties from home, though historical Covid-19 lockdown measures must be kept in mind.
The primary employment sectors for local residents consist of manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. George Town displays a notable industrial concentration in manufacturing, where its employment proportion reaches 2.4 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is less prominent locally, engaging 5.4% of the George Town workforce relative to 8.4% across Regional Tas.. A comparison between local resident worker numbers and the Census working population indicates that a substantial segment of the workforce commutes outside the area for employment. AreaSearch assessment of data from the ABS and SALM indicates that over the preceding 12-month period, the local labour pool shrank by 1.6% alongside a 1.8% employment decline, resulting in an unemployment increase of 0.2 percentage points. This trend differed from Regional Tas., where employment expanded by 1.8%, the labour force increased by 1.7%, and the unemployment level saw a slight decrease. Additional perspectives on employment demand derive from Jobs and Skills Australia national projections issued from Mar-26 across five- and ten-year horizons. Nationally, overall jobs are projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying widely across industries. Applying these sector-specific trajectories to the industry distribution of George Town suggests local employment gains of 5.2% over five years and 11.9% over ten years, representing a simple weighted extrapolation that excludes localized demographic projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in George Town is $1,002 a week (about $52,000 a year), with median personal income at $520 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $47,636 a year against an average of $57,880. 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
Aggregated postcode-level ATO records compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 reveal that taxpayers in the George Town SA2 generate a median income of $47,636 and an average income of $57,880. These figures sit below the nationwide baseline and compare to a median of $49,689 and an average of $59,358 in Regional Tas.. Factoring in Wage Price Index appreciation of 10.95% since financial year 2023, modelled earnings as of March 2026 stand at roughly $52,852 (median) and $64,218 (average). Census findings position local family, household, and personal earnings within the 3rd and 4th percentiles nationally.
Regarding the earnings profile, 29.9% of the population (2,281 individuals) falls within the $400 - 799 weekly bracket, differing from the broader regional pattern where the $1,500 - 2,999 band represents the largest share at 28.5%. The fact that 40.4% earn weekly incomes under $800 underscores local financial constraints, and while households retain 86.7% of earnings after housing outlays, total disposable income ranks at only the 6th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
George Town had 2,934 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 90% detached houses and 1% apartments. 29% are owned with a mortgage, 28% rented and 43% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $220 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,083 a month. Rent absorbs 22.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.9%. 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, the residential landscape of George Town is composed of 89.6% houses alongside 10.3% other dwellings (incorporating semi-detached units, apartments, and alternative structures), closely mirroring the 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings recorded across Regional Tas.. Outright home ownership stands at 43.1%, aligning with the regional norm, while 28.6% of properties are mortgaged and 28.3% are occupied by tenants. Median mortgage commitments average $1,083 per month and typical weekly rent is $220, both sitting substantially below the Regional Tas. benchmarks of $1,274 and $250. When assessed against the Australian average of $1,863 for monthly loan servicing and $375 for weekly rent, George Town remains an exceptionally economical housing market.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
George Town counted 2,934 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 3,146 today, averaging 2.2 people each. 20% are couples with children, fewer than in 86% of areas nationally, against 33% couples without children. 31% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute 66.4% of all local dwellings, consisting of couples without children (33.1%), couples with children (20.2%), and single parent families (12.4%). The remaining 33.6% comprises non-family arrangements, primarily lone person households at 31.4% and group households at 2.2%. The typical household size is 2.2 people, slightly smaller than the Regional Tas. average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
12.4% of adults in George Town hold a university qualification, including 8.9% with a bachelor degree and 2.2% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 96% of areas nationally. A further 31.2% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 797 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 906 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
Tertiary attainment levels in the locality reflect notable educational challenges, with 12.4% of residents possessing a university qualification compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. Among higher education credentials, bachelor degrees account for 8.9%, postgraduate qualifications make up 2.2%, and graduate diplomas represent 1.3%. Technical and vocational training is widely prevalent, with 39.3% of individuals aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of 31.2% with certificates and 8.1% with advanced diplomas. A significant 25.0% of the local population is engaged in active study. This formal educational enrollment encompasses 10.4% attending primary school, 7.7% in secondary education, and 2.0% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around George Town means driving: households keep an average of 1.5 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
56.1% of residents in George Town report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 91% of areas nationally. 9.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Analysis by AreaSearch regarding mortality and chronic illnesses highlights substantial health considerations across George Town, with various conditions impacting both younger and older age brackets. Furthermore, private health insurance coverage is noticeably constrained, held by approximately 48% of the total population (~3,678 people), contrasting with the Australian average of 55.7%. The primary medical diagnoses recorded locally are arthritis, affecting 13.6% of residents, and mental health issues, reported by 10.7% of the community, while 56.1% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 62.0% in Regional Tas.. Chronic health issues are elevated among working-age cohorts.
Additionally, the proportion of residents aged 65 and over is 28.2% (2,155 people), exceeding the 25.1% share across Regional Tas., with health vulnerabilities in this senior cohort ranking even higher on national comparative scales than the broader local community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
George Town is largely Australian-born, at 87.6% of residents, with 2.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (35.7%) and Australian (33.9%). 3.3% 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
Cultural diversity measures in George Town sit below broader benchmarks, with Australian-born residents accounting for 87.6% of the population, Australian citizens comprising 90.7%, and 97.4% speaking exclusively English in the home. Christianity represents the leading religious affiliation, observed by 43.3% of residents. In terms of relative presence, Hinduism constitutes 0.5% of the local community compared to 1.1% throughout Regional Tas.. Regarding ancestral background based on parental country of birth, the three most common ancestries in George Town are English (35.7%), Australian (33.9%), and Scottish (7.7%). Other specific ethnic representations include Australian Aboriginal heritage at 3.3% (against 4.1% regionally), Dutch background at 1.3% (against 1.7% regionally), and Samoan heritage at 0.1% (compared to none recorded in the broader region).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of George Town is 48, older than 86% of areas nationally. 19.2% 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 structure of George Town corresponds closely with Regional Tas. across broad age categories, showing a maximum variance of only 3.2 percentage points. The median age is estimated at 48, unchanged from the 2021 Census, which sits 3 years higher than the Regional Tas. median of 45 and well above the Australian median of 38 recorded at that Census. Since that time, the proportion of retirees and seniors (65+) has risen from 25.4% to an estimated 28.2%. Long-term projections indicate that older cohorts will drive the vast majority of local growth by 2041, increasing by 529 residents (25%) to reach 2,684, while the numbers of children, young adults, and young to middle-aged adults are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for George Town
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, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Sep 2026 this month all 6 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 Sep 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 — 349 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (7,118 at the 2021 Census → 7,632 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 (602031059). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.