Moonah
Statistical Area - sa2

Moonah has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Moonah's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, is approximately 5710 as of August 2025. This figure represents a decline of 27 people, a decrease of 0.5%, since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 5737. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5658 in June 2024 and an additional 51 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2046 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. While Moonah experienced a 0.5% decline since the census, the SA3 area as a whole saw a 2.4% growth, indicating differing population trends. Overseas migration primarily drove the area's population growth, contributing approximately 66.5% of overall population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and to estimate post-2032 growth by age group, Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021, adjusted using a weighted aggregation method from LGA to SA2 levels. Based on the latest population numbers, the area is expected to grow by approximately 385 persons to 2041, an increase of about 5.3% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Moonah is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Moonah has recorded approximately 12 residential properties granted approval annually. Development approval data from the ABS shows 61 dwellings approved over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, with two approved so far in FY-26. The area's population decline suggests that new supply is keeping pace with demand, offering a good range of options for buyers. New properties are constructed at an average value of $148,000, below regional levels, indicating more affordable housing choices.

This financial year has seen $11.3 million in commercial approvals registered, showing steady investment activity. Compared to Greater Hobart, Moonah has significantly less development activity, 53.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new dwellings typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Recent construction comprises 55.0% standalone homes and 45.0% medium and high-density housing, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments providing options across different price points. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing, which is currently 84.0% houses. At around 1813 people per approval, Moonah shows a mature, established area.

Future projections show Moonah adding 301 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Moonah has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 11thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects that could affect this region. Notable projects include Greater Hobart Urban Growth Boundary Extension, Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor (NSTC), Hobart City High School redevelopment, and Moonah Arts Centre. The following list highlights those most likely to be relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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

Moonah has an educated workforce with essential services well represented. Its unemployment rate is 5.6%.

As of June 2025, there are 3103 employed residents, with a 1.4% higher unemployment rate compared to Greater Hobart's 4.1%. Workforce participation in Moonah is 65.9%, slightly above Greater Hobart's 61.6%. The dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. Notably, the accommodation & food sector has a high concentration with employment levels at 1.5 times the regional average.

However, construction has limited presence with 7.0% employment compared to the regional average of 8.7%. Moonah hosts more jobs than residents, with 1.1 workers per resident as of the Census, acting as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between Jun-24 and Jun-25, Moonah's labour force decreased by 1.6% and employment by 1.5%, causing a 0.2 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. In contrast, Greater Hobart experienced similar declines. State-level data to Sep-25 shows Tasmania's employment grew by 0.77% year-on-year, adding 1170 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.5%, with TAS's employment growth outpacing the national average of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts indicate national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Moonah's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.5%% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

In financial year 2022, Moonah had a median taxpayer income of $48,992 and an average income of $54,254, both below the national averages. In Greater Hobart, these figures were $51,272 and $63,777 respectively. By March 2025, estimated median and average incomes in Moonah would be approximately $54,842 and $60,732, based on an 11.94% increase since financial year 2022. The 2021 Census placed household, family, and personal incomes in Moonah between the 30th and 35th percentiles. In income distribution, 33.7% of locals (1,924 people) fell into the $1,500 - 2,999 category, similar to the surrounding region's 32.2%. Moonah residents had only 83.5% of their income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 29th percentile.

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

Moonah's dwelling structures, as assessed in the latest Census, consisted of 84.5% houses and 15.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Hobart metro's figures of 83.1% houses and 17.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Moonah stood at 28.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.5% and rented ones at 40.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,387, higher than Hobart metro's average of $1,300. Median weekly rent in Moonah was recorded at $330, compared to Hobart metro's $320. Nationally, Moonah's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Moonah features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 60.9% of all households, including 23.2% couples with children, 23.1% couples without children, and 13.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 39.1%, with lone person households making up 33.3% and group households comprising 5.8%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which aligns with the Greater Hobart average.

Moonah shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

In Moonah, 36.1% of residents aged 15 and above possess university qualifications, outperforming the broader SA3 area's 23.3% and Tasmania's 25.5%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 20.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.8%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational credentials are held by 27.5% of residents, including advanced diplomas (8.5%) and certificates (19.0%). Current educational participation is high at 29.3%, with 8.7% in primary, 5.7% in secondary, and 5.7% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational institutions include St Therese's Catholic School and Bowen Road Primary School, serving a total of 418 students. Moonah has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 988) with balanced educational opportunities. Both schools focus on primary education, with secondary options available nearby. There are 7.3 school places per 100 residents, below the regional average of 14.6, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Moonah has 46 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 70 different routes that together facilitate 4,769 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of public transport in Moonah is rated as excellent, with residents on average being located 171 meters from the nearest stop.

On a daily basis, there are an average of 681 trips across all routes, which translates to approximately 103 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Moonah are marginally below the national average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Moonah shows below-average health indicators. Common health conditions are prevalent across both younger and older age groups.

Only approximately 47% of Moonah's total population (~2695 people) has private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues affect 10.7% of residents, while arthritis impacts 8.7%. 68.2% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 63.7% in Greater Hobart. As of the latest data (May 20XX), Moonah has 15.7% of residents aged 65 and over (897 people), which is lower than Greater Hobart's 18.7%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly aligning with the general population's health profile in the area.

Moonah 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

Moonah's population showed higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 28.8% born overseas and 26.0% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Moonah, accounting for 35.6%. Hinduism had a notable presence of 8.9%, compared to 5.8% across Greater Hobart.

For ancestry, the top groups were English (27.1%), Australian (23.4%), and Other (14.3%). Some ethnic groups showed significant differences: Polish at 1.3% vs regional 0.8%, Vietnamese at 1.0% vs 0.5%, and Indian at 2.9% vs 1.9%.

Moonah's population is younger than the national pattern

Moonah's median age is 35, which is younger than Greater Hobart's figure of 39 and slightly below Australia's national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age group has a strong representation in Moonah at 22.4%, compared to Greater Hobart, while the 75-84 cohort is less prevalent at 4.5%. This concentration of individuals aged 25-34 is well above the national average of 14.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 35-44 age group has increased from 13.9% to 16.2% of Moonah's population. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 11.2% to 9.2%, and the 25-34 group has dropped from 23.8% to 22.4%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Moonah's age structure. Notably, the 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 55%, adding 341 people and reaching a total of 966 from its current figure of 624. Meanwhile, both the 55-64 and 65-74 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.