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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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King Island has an estimated 1,649 residents, up from 1,617 at the 2021 Census — a change of 32 people, or 2.0%. 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 the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of King Island is estimated to be approximately 1,649 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 32 residents (2.0%) compared to the 2021 Census, which recorded 1,617 individuals. This calculation is derived from the ABS estimated resident population of 1,647 in June 2025 combined with 49 validated new addresses identified after the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 1.5 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious living environment. The post-census growth rate of 2.0% for King Island is within 0.6 percentage points of the wider SA3 region (2.6%), showing comparable growth dynamics.
The primary driver of this population growth was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 79.4% of the total demographic increase in recent times. Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, issued in 2024 using 2022 as the base year, are utilized by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. For locations lacking this data, and to project age cohort changes beyond 2032, regional and LGA projections from the Tasmania State Government released in 2022 using 2021 as the base year are applied, adjusting the figures by weighting population changes from the LGA to the SA2 level. Looking at future demographic trends, these projections point to a contraction in the overall population, with a forecasted decrease of 169 persons by 2041 under this framework. Nonetheless, certain age groups are expected to expand, particularly the 75 to 84 bracket, which is set to rise by 51 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
25 new dwellings have been approved in King Island over the past five years, an average of 5 a year. That is 3.0 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 1, 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
Development approvals on King Island average approximately 5 dwellings annually, with a total of 25 homes approved during the past 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 1 approval recorded so far in FY-26. Because the past 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) saw an average of only 0.3 new residents added per constructed dwelling, the supply of new housing is matching or outstripping demand, providing buyers with many options and creating room for population expansion beyond current projections, with new homes built at an average cost of $286,000.
Additionally, commercial approvals totaling $13.0 million have been documented during the current financial year, demonstrating ongoing commercial investment. When compared to the Rest of Tas., building activity per person on King Island is 14.0% lower, placing the area in the 18th percentile of all analyzed regions nationwide, which indicates fewer options for prospective buyers and sustains demand for established properties. This level of construction is also lower than the national average, pointing to the mature state of the local market and possible planning restrictions. Furthermore, recent residential builds have consisted entirely of detached houses, preserving the classic low-density profile of the area and focusing on spacious family residences. A ratio of 1104 people per dwelling approval highlights the quiet nature of local development. Because the population is projected to stabilize or decrease, King Island will likely experience less pressure on its housing market, which could present favorable conditions for purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around King Island
Loading development applications…
| 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 King Island. A further 85 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $8.4 billion. 29 are already under construction and 43 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, tourism and communities, precincts & urban renewal. 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
Changes to local infrastructure, large-scale projects, and planning decisions are key drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 6 projects that are expected to impact the local community. Prominent initiatives include Stage 2 of the King Island Hospital Redevelopment, Currie Main Street Improvements, the King Island Hub Project, and the Ocean Dunes Golf Course Expansion, with the details of the most significant projects listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Currie Main Street Improvements
Improvements to Currie's CBD, including new parking alignment on Edward Street, Main Street, and Meech Street, construction of new kerb bulbing, and access ramps to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility.
King Island Hub Project
Construction of a new multi-purpose community hub near the Currie lighthouse. The project includes a central fireplace featuring local rock, display cabinets for historical artefacts, and statement furniture from local materials. The project is managed by Evolve Commercial.
Ocean Dunes Golf Course Expansion
A major expansion of the visitor facilities at Ocean Dunes golf course, including the development of 64 hotel rooms, a new reception, restaurant, and bar facilities. The project is supported by a $10 million loan from the Tasmanian Government to boost tourism on King Island.
King Island Hospital Redevelopment -Stage 2
A modern, efficient and functional facility from which to deliver hospital and community health services, including the capacity to broaden the scope of health services provided to the King Island community.
Currie Wharf Refurbishment
Refurbishment works at Currie Wharf to improve wharf infrastructure and user safety. The project was completed in two stages, with mobilisation in late 2022 and project works commencing in early 2023.
Cape Wickham Golf Links Expansion
A significant expansion of the Cape Wickham Golf Links, including the construction of 89 self-contained villas, a new two-storey clubhouse with a pro shop, bar, restaurant, and private function rooms, a conference centre, and a wellbeing centre with a pool and gym. The development application was approved by King Island Council.
Woolnorth Wind Farm Repowering
Repowering of the Bluff Point and Studland Bay wind farms in far north-west Tasmania, owned by a joint venture between Shenhua Clean Energy Holdings (75%) and Hydro Tasmania (25%). The project would replace 62 existing turbines with 48 newer, higher-capacity models, increasing total generation capacity from 140MW to approximately 240MW while extending the operational life of both sites. Upgrades to the transmission line between Woolnorth and the TasNetworks Smithton substation are also proposed. The project has been declared a Controlled Action under the EPBC Act and is undergoing environmental impact assessment by the EPA Tasmania Board, with final EIS Guidelines issued to the proponent.The EIS is expected to take several years to prepare, with a commissioning target of around 2030.
Robbins Island and Jim's Plain Wind
ACEN Australia's Robbins Island and Jim's Plain Wind project is a proposed $3 billion renewable energy development in the Circular Head region of north-west Tasmania. Jim's Plain Wind was approved in 2020 and Robbins Island Wind has secured Circular Head Council, EPA Tasmania and Commonwealth environmental approvals. The project includes up to 900 MW of wind generation, with Jim's Plain having optional solar and battery components, plus a bridge across Robbins Passage, a wharf on north-east Robbins Island and a proposed 120 km transmission line to connect to the Tasmanian high voltage network near Hampshire.The transmission line is still progressing through a separate environmental assessment, with approvals anticipated in 2026 and first generation targeted around 2030.
949 residents of King Island are employed, from a labour force of 963. Unemployment sits at 1.5%, with participation at 71.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 4.6% 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 workforce on King Island is balanced between white and blue collar occupations across a range of industries, featuring an unemployment rate of only 1.5% and a 2.8% expansion in estimated employment over the preceding year. There are 949 employed residents as of March 2026, with an unemployment rate that is 2.5% below the 3.9% recorded in Regional Tas., and a participation rate that is significantly higher than typical levels (71.9% relative to 58.8% in Regional Tas.). Census data indicates that a small proportion of residents, 13.1%, worked from home, though this may have been influenced by pandemic lockdowns.
The primary sectors employing local residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, manufacturing, and health care & social assistance. There is a particularly strong concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with local employment ratios reaching 3.2 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance has a minor footprint, employing 8.4% of workers compared to 16.5% across the region. Although there are local jobs available, the ratio of the Census working population to the local population suggests that a significant number of residents travel to other areas for employment. AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that for the year ending March 2026, the number of employed persons grew by 2.8% and the workforce expanded by 3.2%, which led to a 0.4 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. In contrast, Regional Tas. experienced a 1.8% rise in employment, a 1.7% increase in the labor force, and a slight decrease in unemployment. Long-term employment projections published by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional context on expected demand patterns within King Island. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future employment trends. Although the national workforce is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the expansion rates vary widely by sector. Mapping these sectoral projections directly to the employment distribution of King Island indicates that local jobs could grow by 4.6% over five years and 10.6% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in King Island is $1,330 a week (about $69,000 a year), with median personal income at $845 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $52,232 a year against an average of $62,341. 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
Taxpayer data from the ATO compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year indicates that income levels in the King Island SA2 are lower than the national benchmark. Taxpayers in the King Island SA2 recorded a median income of $52,232 and an average income of $62,341, compared to $49,689 and $59,358 respectively for Regional Tas. Adjusting for a 10.95% rise in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year yields estimated figures of approximately $57,951 for the median and $69,167 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census ranks individual weekly income at the 58th percentile ($845 weekly) and household income at the 22nd percentile.
The largest weekly income bracket consists of 31.6% of residents earning $1,500 - 2,999 (521 residents), which is similar to the broader region where 28.5% fall into this range. Most residents manage housing costs well, retaining 91.4% of income, although overall disposable income is positioned low at the 32nd percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
King Island had 652 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 1% apartments. 25% are owned with a mortgage, 27% rented and 48% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $190 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,083 a month. Rent absorbs 14.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the most recent Census, the housing stock on King Island was composed of 95.4% separate houses and 4.6% other dwelling types like apartments, semi-detached properties, or alternative structures, whereas Regional Tas. recorded 89.9% separate houses and 10.1% other dwellings. The home ownership rate on King Island was much higher than the regional benchmark at 47.6%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (25.0%) or occupied by tenants (27.4%). The median monthly payment for home loans was lower than the regional norm at $1,083, and the median weekly rent was $190, compared to regional figures of $1,274 and $250 respectively.
On a national scale, mortgage commitments on King Island are far below the Australian median of $1,863, and rental costs are also well below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
King Island counted 652 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 20% are couples with children, fewer than in 87% of areas nationally, against 33% couples without children. 35% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 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 62.1%, which consists of couples with children at 19.9%, couples without children at 32.9%, and single parents at 7.3%. The remaining 37.9% consists of non-family households, with single-person households representing 35.3% and group housing representing 3.2%. The median size of households stands at 2.1 people, which is below the Regional Tas. average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
17.1% of adults in King Island hold a university qualification, including 12.2% with a bachelor degree and 2.8% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 77% of areas nationally. A further 33.3% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 185 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 940 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 attainment in the area lags behind national standards, as the university qualification rate of 17.1% is lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This highlights an area of difficulty as well as a target for educational development programs. Among those with degrees, bachelor qualifications are most common at 12.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.8% and graduate diplomas at 2.1%. Vocational and technical qualifications are highly prevalent, with 43.8% of residents aged 15+ holding a credential in these fields, split between advanced diplomas at 10.5% and certificates at 33.3%.
Enrolment rates in education are high, with 25.9% of the population participating in some form of study. This cohort is distributed across primary schooling at 11.8%, high school education at 6.8%, and higher education at 1.7%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around King Island 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
66.9% of residents in King Island report no long-term health condition. 3.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health profiles for King Island align closely with national averages based on mortality and chronic illness assessments by AreaSearch, showing typical frequencies of common illnesses across younger and older demographics, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is relatively low at roughly 50% of the population (~831 people) compared to a national rate of 55.7%. The most prevalent health diagnoses in the region were arthritis at 9.9% and mental health conditions at 7.6%, while 66.9% of the population reported no long-term illnesses compared to 62.0% in Regional Tas.
Residents of working age have a higher than average rate of chronic health issues. Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 24.3% of the local population (401 people). The health metrics for these older residents are especially favorable, ranking higher than the national benchmarks for the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
King Island is largely Australian-born, at 85.5% of residents, with 6.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (33.1%) and Australian (32.1%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity indicators for King Island are lower than average, with citizens making up 84.4% of the population, Australian-born individuals representing 85.5%, and English-only speakers at home comprising 93.6%. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 40.8% of the community. Buddhism shows a minor but notable concentration at 1.2% of the population, which is higher than the 0.9% average across Regional Tas. Regarding parental birthplace and heritage, the three largest ancestry groups on King Island are English at 33.1%, Australian at 32.1%, and Scottish at 7.5%. There are also distinct differences in other ancestral groups compared to the wider region, with Dutch ancestry at 2.5% (compared to 1.7% regionally), New Zealand ancestry at 0.9% (compared to 0.4%), and South Australian ancestry at 0.6% (compared to 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of King Island is 45, older than 78% 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 median age on King Island is 45 years, matching the average for Regional Tas. but higher than the national median of 38 years. Looking at the age distribution, children aged 0 - 4 represent a prominent portion at 6.5%, while young adults aged 15 - 24 represent a smaller share at 8.1% compared to Regional Tas. Since 2021, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 6.4% to 8.1%, and the 5 to 14 age group increased from 11.0% to 12.2%. In contrast, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 11.8% to 9.3%, and the 25 to 34 group decreased from 12.6% to 11.1%.
Demographic shifts by 2041 will alter the age composition, with the 75 to 84 cohort projected to grow by 46% (58 people) to reach 185 from 126. This aging trend is underscored by the fact that residents aged 65+ will account for 76% of all projected population increases. Conversely, the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 age groups are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for King Island
8 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 8 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. | ||
| 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 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2025 about a year ago 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 Jul 2025. | ||
| 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 — 49 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (1,617 at the 2021 Census → 1,649 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 (604031093). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.