King Island

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

King Island's population is approximately 1,670 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 53 people, a 3.3% rise from the 2021 Census count of 1,617 individuals. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 1,660 in June 2024 and an additional 47 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1.5 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, King Island has shown resilience with a compound annual growth rate of 0.3%, outperforming its SA3 area. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this growth.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered and post-2032 estimates by age group, Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2022 using a 2021 base year are adopted with adjustments made through weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Future demographic trends indicate an overall population decline of 177 persons by 2041, but growth is expected in specific age cohorts, notably the 75 to 84 age group projected to increase by 54 people.

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

King Island has received approximately five dwelling approvals per year. Between financial years 2021 (FY-21) and 2025 (FY-25), 25 homes were approved, with one more approved in FY-26 to date. On average, 1.1 people have moved to the area annually for each dwelling built over the past five financial years between FY-21 and FY-25. However, this figure has decreased to -3.8 people per dwelling over the past two financial years.

New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $286,000. This year, commercial approvals valued at $13.0 million have been registered, indicating ongoing commercial investment activity. Compared to the rest of Tasmania, King Island has 14.0% lower construction activity per person and ranks in the 18th percentile nationally, suggesting limited housing choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing homes. The area's new construction has consisted entirely of detached dwellings, maintaining its traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes.

With an estimated 1101 people in the area per dwelling approval, King Island has a quiet development environment. Given the expected stable or declining population, housing pressure is likely to remain relatively low, potentially presenting buying opportunities.

King Island has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 6thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified six projects likely impacting the area. Key projects are King Island Hospital Redevelopment - Stage 2, Currie Main Street Improvements, King Island Hub Project, and Ocean Dunes Golf Course Expansion. The following list details those 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.

Employment conditions in King Island rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

King Island's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 1.1% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 5.6%. As of September 2025960 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.7%, lower than Rest of Tas.'s 3.8%.

Workforce participation was high at 71.7% compared to Rest of Tas.'s 58.7%. According to Census responses, only 13.1% of residents worked from home. Key industries included agriculture, forestry & fishing, manufacturing, and health care & social assistance. Employment in agriculture, forestry & fishing was particularly high at 3.2 times the regional average, while health care & social assistance had limited presence with 8.4% employment compared to 16.5% regionally.

Many residents commuted elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 5.6%, labour force grew by 5.7%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. In comparison, Rest of Tas. had employment growth of 0.7% and a slight fall in unemployment. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May-25, project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to King Island's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 4.6% over five years and 10.6% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The King Island SA2's income level is below the national average according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in King Island SA2 is $52,232 and the average income stands at $62,341. In comparison, Rest of Tas.'s median income is $49,689 and average income is $59,358. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.6% since financial year 2023, current estimates for King Island SA2 would be approximately $57,246 (median) and $68,326 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, personal income ranks at the 58th percentile ($845 weekly), while household income sits at the 22nd percentile. The largest segment of income brackets comprises 31.6% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (527 residents). Housing costs are manageable with 91.4% retained, though disposable income sits below average at the 32nd percentile.

King Island is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in King Island, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 95.4% houses and 4.6% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Tas. had 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in King Island was 47.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.0% and rented dwellings at 27.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,083, below Non-Metro Tas.'s average of $1,274. The median weekly rent figure was $190, compared to Non-Metro Tas.'s $250. Nationally, King Island's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 62.1% of all households, including 19.9% couples with children, 32.9% couples without children, and 7.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 37.9%, with lone person households at 35.3% and group households comprising 3.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Tas. average of 2.3.

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

The area has lower university qualification rates at 17.1%, compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both challenges and opportunities for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common among qualifications, with a rate of 12.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 2.8% and graduate diplomas at 2.1%. Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 43.8% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications.

Advanced diplomas account for 10.5% while certificates make up 33.3%. Educational participation is high, with 25.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.8% in primary education, 6.8% in secondary education, and 1.7% pursuing tertiary education.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

King Island's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

King Island's health data shows positive results, aligning with national averages for mortality rates and health conditions. Common health issues are seen across all age groups, with arthritis affecting 9.9% and mental health issues impacting 7.6% of residents.

Approximately half (50%) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.7%. Most residents (66.9%) report no medical ailments, compared to 62.0% in Rest of Tas. Working-age residents have a higher prevalence of chronic conditions. The area has 22.9% of residents aged 65 and over (382 people), lower than the state average of 24.3%. Senior health outcomes rank high nationally, even better than the general population.

King Island ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

King Island was found to have below average cultural diversity, with 84.4% of its population being Australian citizens and 85.5% born in Australia. The majority, 93.6%, spoke English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 40.8% of King Island's population.

Buddhism, however, was overrepresented compared to the rest of Tasmania, with 1.2% of King Island's population identifying as Buddhist versus 0.9%. The top three ancestry groups were English (33.1%), Australian (32.1%), and Scottish (7.5%). Notably, Dutch (2.5% vs regional 1.7%), New Zealand (0.9% vs 0.4%), and South African (0.6% vs 0.2%) ethnicities were overrepresented in King Island compared to the regional averages.

King Island hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

King Island's median age is 44, comparable to Tasmania's figure of 45 but significantly higher than Australia's national norm of 38. The 5-14 age group comprises 12.9%, compared to Rest of Tas., while the 45-54 cohort stands at 9.7%. Post-2021 Census data indicates the 15-24 age group grew from 6.4% to 8.7%, and the 5-14 cohort increased from 11.0% to 12.9%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort declined from 11.8% to 9.7%, and the 65-74 group dropped from 14.6% to 12.9%. By 2041, King Island's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 75-84 group will grow by 37% (49 people), reaching 180 from 130. Those aged 65 and above are projected to comprise 73% of the population growth, while declines are forecast for the 25-34 and 65-74 cohorts.