Glenorchy
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Glenorchy are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Glenorchy's population is 12,375 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 88 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,287. The change is inferred from ABS estimates of 12,341 in June 2024 and 90 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,183 persons per square kilometer, similar to averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Glenorchy has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%, outpacing its SA3 area. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration 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 and post-2032 growth by age group, Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Future population trends suggest an increase just below the median of Australian statistical areas, with Glenorchy expected to grow by 1,039 persons to 2041 based on latest numbers, reflecting an 8.1% total increase over the 17 years.

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

Glenorchy has received approximately 32 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 161 homes from FY-20 to FY-25. As of FY-26, 24 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.6 people have moved to the area annually for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating that supply is meeting or exceeding demand, offering greater buyer choice while supporting potential population growth above projections. The average expected construction cost value of new properties is $212,000, reflecting more affordable housing options compared to regional norms.

In FY-26, Glenorchy has recorded $110.1 million in commercial development approvals, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Hobart, Glenorchy has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 16th percentile nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing dwellings. New development consists of 76% detached houses and 24% townhouses or apartments, sustaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. Glenorchy reflects a highly mature market with around 1050 people per dwelling approval.

By 2041, Glenorchy is expected to grow by 1,005 residents. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may experience increased competition as the population grows.

Glenorchy has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 8thth percentile nationally

The performance of a region is significantly impacted by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 30 such projects that could potentially affect this area. Notable projects include Homes Tasmania Social Housing Program, Homes Tasmania Affordable Housing Units - Glenorchy, Coraki Street Chigwell Social Housing, and Hobart Heritage Rail Project. The following list details those projects likely to be 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.

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

Glenorchy has a well-educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 6.7%.

As of June 2025, 5944 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.6% higher than Greater Hobart's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation stands at 57.2%, lower than Greater Hobart's 61.6%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food, with retail trade being particularly prominent at 1.3 times the regional level. Conversely, education & training has a lower representation of 6.9% compared to the regional average of 10.8%.

Many residents commute outside Glenorchy for work. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Glenorchy's labour force decreased by 1.6%, with employment decreasing by 1.7%, while unemployment remained largely unchanged at 6.7%. In contrast, Greater Hobart saw employment contract by 1.5%, the labour force fall by 1.6%, and unemployment decrease by 0.2 percentage points to 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Glenorchy's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.5% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Glenorchy's median income among taxpayers is $47,246. The average income in Glenorchy was $51,275 during this period. This is below the national average. In comparison, Greater Hobart had a median income of $51,272 and an average income of $63,777 for the same year. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022, current estimates suggest Glenorchy's median income would be approximately $53,780 by September 2025, with the average being around $58,366. Census data indicates that household, family and personal incomes in Glenorchy all fall between the 10th and 14th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 27.3% of Glenorchy's community earns between $800 and $1,499 (3,378 individuals), which is lower than regional levels where the $1,500 to $2,999 bracket leads at 32.2%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Glenorchy, with only 80.1% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 9th percentile nationally.

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

Glenorchy's dwellings, as per the latest Census, were 78.6% houses and 21.4% other types (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). Hobart metro had 83.1% houses and 17.0% others. Glenorchy home ownership was 26.8%, with mortgages at 28.0% and rentals at 45.2%. Median monthly mortgage repayment in Glenorchy was $1,300, matching Hobart metro's figure. Median weekly rent in Glenorchy was $320, same as Hobart metro. Nationally, Glenorchy's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,300 versus Australia's average of $1,863. Rents in Glenorchy were also lower at $320 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 60.1% of all households, including 21.0% couples with children, 22.4% couples without children, and 15.2% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 39.9%, with lone person households at 35.3% and group households comprising 4.5%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Hobart average of 2.4.

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

Educational qualifications in Glenorchy trail regional benchmarks, with 27.3% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to 32.8% in the SA4 region. The most common degree held is Bachelor's at 15.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 10.7% and graduate diplomas at 1.6%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 30.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.1%) and certificates (22.0%). Educational participation is high, with 28.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 8.1% in primary, 6.2% in secondary, and 5.0% in tertiary education.

Glenorchy's five schools have a combined enrollment of 2,562 students, indicating typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 953) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes one primary, three secondary, and one K-12 school, showing that the area serves as an educational center for the broader region due to its higher-than-typical residential needs capacity of 20.7 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 14.6.

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

Glenorchy's public transport analysis shows 91 active stops in operation, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are served by 116 individual routes, facilitating 10,340 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents located an average of 183 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 1,477 trips per day across all routes, equating to about 113 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Glenorchy is well below average with considerably higher than average prevalence of common health conditions and to an even higher degree among older age cohorts

Glenorchy faces significant health challenges with a higher prevalence of common conditions compared to average. Among older age cohorts, this disparity is even more pronounced.

Only approximately 46% of Glenorchy's total population (~5,742 people) has private health cover, which is lower than the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and arthritis, affecting 10.9 and 10.3% of residents respectively. Conversely, 64.3% of Glenorchy's residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.7% across Greater Hobart. The area has 18.2% of residents aged 65 and over (2,257 people), and health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

Glenorchy was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Glenorchy's population showed higher cultural diversity compared to most local areas, with 29.4% born overseas and 27.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Glenorchy, accounting for 39.6%. Hinduism was notably overrepresented, comprising 11.1%, higher than the Greater Hobart average of 5.8%.

In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (27.1%), Australian (25.5%), and Other (17.0%), with Other being substantially higher than the regional average of 10.6%. Some ethnic groups showed notable divergences: Australian Aboriginal was overrepresented at 4.2% compared to the regional average of 4.0%, Polish remained at 0.8%, and Indian increased from 1.9% regionally to 2.7% in Glenorchy.

Glenorchy's population is younger than the national pattern

Glenorchy's median age is 34 years, which is lower than Greater Hobart's average of 39 years and the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Hobart, Glenorchy has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (21.5%) but fewer residents aged 45-54 (9.1%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. According to the 2021 Census, Glenorchy's population has changed since the previous census. The 35 to 44 age group has increased from 12.2% to 15.3%, while the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 10.2% to 9.1%. Similarly, the 55 to 64 age group has dropped from 10.8% to 9.8%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests that Glenorchy's age profile will significantly change. The 45 to 54 cohort is projected to grow by 61%, adding 689 residents and reaching a total of 1,816. Conversely, both the 25 to 34 and 65 to 74 age groups are expected to decrease in number.