Moonah

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Moonah's population is around 5,872 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 135 people (2.4%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,737 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,626 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 53 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 2,104 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Moonah's 2.4% growth since the census positions it within 2.5 percentage points of the SA4 region (4.9%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which contributed approximately 66.5% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and to estimate growth by age group in the years post-2032, the Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year, are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Moving forward with demographic trends, a population increase just below the median of national statistical areas is expected, with the area expected to grow by 385 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 2.4% in total over the 17 years.

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

Moonah has recorded around 12 residential properties granted approval annually, with 61 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 5 so far in FY-26. As the area has experienced population decline, new supply has likely been keeping up with demand, offering good choice to buyers, while new properties are constructed at an average value of $306,000. Additionally, $11.3 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development.

Relative to Greater Hobart, Moonah has significantly less development activity (53.0% below regional average per person). This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings. This is also below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and pointing to possible planning constraints. Recent construction comprises 55.0% detached dwellings and 45.0% medium and high-density housing, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments providing options across different price points, from family homes to more affordable compact living. This marks a significant departure from existing housing patterns (currently 84.0% houses), suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. The location has approximately 1813 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market.

Population forecasts indicate Moonah will gain 139 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). 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 emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 21stth percentile nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 13 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor (NSTC), Hobart City High School redevelopment, TasWater Infrastructure Upgrades, and Moonah Arts Centre, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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 performance in Moonah has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Moonah has a well-educated workforce, with essential services sectors well represented, an unemployment rate of 5.1%, and 0.6% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 3,077 residents are in work, while the unemployment rate is 1.1% above Greater Hobart's rate of 4.0%, and workforce participation is fairly standard (68.9% compared to Greater Hobart's 64.0%). Based on Census responses, a low 7.1% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

The key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. The area demonstrates a particularly notable concentration in accommodation & food, with employment levels at 1.5 times the regional average. Conversely, construction shows lower representation at 7.0% versus the regional average of 8.7%. With 1.1 workers for every resident, as at the Census, the area functions as an employment hub, hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, the 12-month period saw employment increasing by 0.6% alongside a labour force decrease of 0.2%, resulting in unemployment falling by 0.8 percentage points. This compares to Greater Hobart, where employment grew by 0.1%, the labour force contracted by 0.1%, and unemployment fell 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Moonah. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Moonah's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.7% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The Moonah SA2's income level is below the national average according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for FY-23. The Moonah SA2's median income among taxpayers is $53,718 and the average income stands at $58,604, which compares to figures for Greater Hobart's of $54,577 and $65,190 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.6% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $58,875 (median) and $64,230 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Moonah, between the 30th and 35th percentiles. The data shows the largest segment comprises 33.7% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (1,978 residents), mirroring regional levels where 32.2% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.5% of income remaining, 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

Dwelling structure within Moonah, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 84.5% houses and 15.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Hobart metro's 85.3% houses and 14.7% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Moonah lagged that of Hobart metro, at 28.2%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (31.5%) or rented (40.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was below the Hobart metro average at $1,387, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $330, compared to Hobart metro's $1,517 and $350. Nationally, Moonah's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are 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 dominate at 60.9% of all households, comprising 23.2% couples with children, 23.1% couples without children, and 13.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 39.1%, with lone person households at 33.3% and group households comprising 5.8% of the total. The median household size of 2.4 people matches the Greater Hobart average.

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

Educational attainment in Moonah significantly surpasses broader benchmarks, with 36.1% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications compared to 23.3% in the SA3 area and 25.5% in TAS. This substantial educational advantage positions the area strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees lead at 20.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.8%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 27.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (8.5%) and certificates (19.0%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.7% in primary education, 5.7% in secondary education, and 5.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 45 active transport stops operating within Moonah, comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 73 individual routes, collectively providing 4,470 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 171 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 76%, with 14% by bus and 6% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling, which is below the regional average. A relatively low 7.1% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 638 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 99 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Moonah is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Moonah faces significant health challenges, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts, and the rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (~2,842 people). This compares to 51.7% across Greater Hobart and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and arthritis, impacting 10.7% and 8.7% of residents, respectively, while 68.2% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 65.5% across Greater Hobart. Working-age residents show an above average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 16.0% of residents aged 65 and over (937 people), which is lower than the 19.9% in Greater Hobart. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Moonah was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Moonah is more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets, with 28.8% of its population born overseas and 26.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The main religion in Moonah is Christianity, which makes up 35.6% of the population. However, the most apparent overrepresentation is in Hinduism, which comprises 8.9% of the population, substantially higher than the Greater Hobart average of 2.8%.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Moonah are English, comprising 27.1% of the population, Australian, comprising 23.4% of the population, and Other, comprising 14.3% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 7.4%. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Polish is notably overrepresented at 1.3% of Moonah (vs 0.8% regionally), Vietnamese at 1.0% (vs 0.3%) and Indian at 2.9% (vs 1.2%).

Moonah's population is younger than the national pattern

With a median age of 35, Moonah is materially younger than the Greater Hobart figure of 39 as well as slightly below Australia's 38 years. The 25 - 34 age group shows strong representation at 21.7% compared to Greater Hobart, whereas the 55 - 64 cohort is less prevalent at 8.8%. This 25 - 34 concentration is well above the national 14.4%. In the period since 2021, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 13.9% to 17.0% of the population, while the 65 to 74 cohort increased from 8.4% to 9.5%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 11.2% to 8.8% and the 25 to 34 group dropped from 23.8% to 21.7%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Moonah's age structure. Leading the demographic shift, the 45 to 54 group will grow by 52% (329 people), reaching 966 from 636. Meanwhile, both 0 to 4 and 55 to 64 age groups will see reduced numbers.