Mowbray

An assessment of population growth drivers in Mowbray reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Mowbray's population was around 4,179 as of February 2026. This reflected an increase of 131 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,048. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,142 in June 2024 and an additional 25 validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a density ratio of 450 persons per square kilometer. Mowbray's growth rate of 3.2% since the census was within 1.0 percentage points of the SA3 area's 4.2%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 84.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted 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 post-2032 estimates, Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA projections were used, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021, adjusted employing weighted aggregation methods. Projections indicated an overall population decline of 16 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts were expected to grow, notably the 45 to 54 age group, projected to expand by 72 people.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Mowbray according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Mowbray has averaged approximately 10 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, with a total of 54 homes approved during this period. In FY26, up until now, 7 dwellings have been approved. The average number of new residents per year per dwelling constructed over these five years is 0.9.

This suggests that new construction in Mowbray has kept pace with or exceeded demand, providing buyers with more options and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections. The average expected construction cost value for new homes during this period is $242,000. In FY26, commercial development approvals have reached $1.3 million, indicating limited commercial development activity in the area. Comparatively, Mowbray records about 59% of building activity per person when measured against the Rest of Tas., and it ranks among the 49th percentile of areas assessed nationally for building activity.

This suggests more limited housing choices for buyers, supporting demand for existing properties. The recent development in Mowbray has been entirely comprised of detached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes that appeal to those seeking space. Notably, developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (85.0% at Census), reflecting persistent strong demand for family homes despite densification trends. The estimated population per dwelling approval in Mowbray is 381 people, indicating a quiet and low-activity development environment. With population expected to remain stable or decline, Mowbray should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Mowbray has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 14thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 21 projects that could affect the area. Notable ones include Northern Suburbs Community Recreation Hub (The Hub), kanamaluka Cultural Centre (including Conference & Exhibition Space), Flood Levee Protected Areas Specific Area Plan, and UTAS Stadium Redevelopment. 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.

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

Mowbray has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation and an unemployment rate of 6.3% as of September 2025. The area's employment rate is 2.5 percentage points higher than the Rest of Tas.'s rate of 3.8%, while its workforce participation rate is similar at 58.4%. According to Census responses, only 3.9% of residents work from home.

Key industries for Mowbray residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food, with notable concentration in the latter, being 1.5 times the regional average. However, construction is under-represented at 5.6%, compared to Rest of Tas.'s 8.9%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.6% and employment declined by 1.6%, leading to a 0.9 percentage point fall in unemployment rate.

In contrast, Rest of Tas. saw employment growth of 0.7%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mowbray's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Mowbray SA2's median income among taxpayers is $45,602. The average income in the area is $49,996. This is below the national average. In comparison, Rest of Tas.'s median income is $49,689 with an average of $59,358. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.6% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Mowbray's median and average incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $49,980 and $54,796 respectively. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Mowbray all fall between the 9th and 10th percentiles nationally. Income brackets reveal that 31.6% of locals (1,320 people) predominantly earn within the $800 - $1,499 category, differing from broader area patterns where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket dominates at 28.5%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Mowbray, with only 82% of income remaining, ranking at the 9th percentile nationally.

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

In Mowbray, as per the latest Census evaluation, 84.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 15.4% comprising semi-detached properties, apartments, and other types. This contrasts with Non-Metro Tas., where 89.9% of dwellings were houses. Home ownership in Mowbray stood at 25.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.3% and rented ones at 51.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,050, lower than Non-Metro Tas.'s average of $1,274. Weekly rent in Mowbray was $290, compared to Non-Metro Tas.'s $250. Nationally, Mowbray's median monthly mortgage repayment of $1,050 is significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and its weekly rent figure of $290 is substantially below the national average of $375.

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

Family households account for 58.8% of all households, including 21.7% couples with children, 20.6% couples without children, and 14.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 41.2%, with lone person households at 31.2% and group households comprising 9.8% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is larger than the Rest of Tas. average of 2.3.

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

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates of 25.9% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the Rest of Tas. average of 19.3%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 14.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (10.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 29.0% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas account for 6.5% while certificates make up 22.5%.

Educational participation is high, with 34.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.6% in primary education, 9.2% in tertiary education, and 6.7% pursuing secondary education.

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

Mowbray has seven active public transport stops, all serving buses. These stops are covered by 37 different routes, offering a total of 2,570 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is moderate, with residents typically living 526 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards daily. Car usage dominates at 87%, while walking accounts for 5%. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling, below the regional norm.

Only 3.9% of residents work from home (2021 Census). Across all routes, service frequency averages 367 trips daily, equating to around 367 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Mowbray is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a slightly higher degree among older age cohorts

Mowbray faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are somewhat prevalent across the board, with a slightly higher degree among older age cohorts. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~1,922 people), compared to 49.1% across Rest of Tas., and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are mental health issues impacting 10.2% of residents and arthritis impacting 8.6%, while 68.1% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 62.0% across Rest of Tas.. Working-age residents show an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 13.8% of residents aged 65 and over (576 people), lower than the 24.9% in Rest of Tas.. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, ranking lower nationally than the broader population.

Mowbray 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

Mowbray's population was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 33.1% born overseas and 30.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Mowbray, accounting for 36.2% of its population. However, the 'Other' category showed significant overrepresentation, comprising 3.2% compared to Rest of Tas's 0.7%.

Regarding ancestry, Australian (27.6%) and English (26.7%) were the top groups in Mowbray but notably lower than regional averages of 32.6% and 34.1%, respectively. 'Other' ancestry was substantially higher at 18.4% compared to the region's 4.6%. Some ethnic groups showed notable divergences: Australian Aboriginal (3.7%) and Chinese (3.8%) were overrepresented, while Korean (0.3%) had a slightly higher representation than the regional average of 0.1%.

Mowbray hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Mowbray has a median age of 32, which is lower than the Rest of Tas. figure of 45, and significantly lower than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of Tas. average, Mowbray has an over-representation of the 25-34 cohort (23.7% locally) and an under-representation of the 65-74 year-olds (7.2%). This concentration of the 25-34 age group is well above the national average of 14.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 12.5% to 14.8%, while the 55 to 64 cohort increased from 9.9% to 11.6%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 11.0% to 8.2%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 10.0% to 8.4%. Demographic modeling suggests that by 2041, Mowbray's age profile will evolve significantly. The 45 to 54 age cohort is projected to expand by 93 people (27%), from 349 to 443. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 56% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the 25 to 34 and 55 to 64 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.