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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.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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New Town has an estimated 6,623 residents. That puts 1,734 residents on each square kilometre. 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 New Town is estimated at 6,623 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 17 people (0.3%) from the 6,606 residents recorded during the 2021 Census. This adjustment is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 6,476 and incorporating 84 validated new addresses established after the Census. The local population density stands at 1,733 persons per square kilometer, outstripping the typical density observed across the country by AreaSearch. The post-census growth rate of 0.3% places the suburb within 1.5 percentage points of the broader SA3 region (1.8%), indicating solid expansion indicators.
This population gain was almost exclusively generated by overseas migration, which served as the primary contributor during this timeframe. Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, are utilized by AreaSearch for each SA2 division. In instances where these statistics are unavailable, or to calculate age distribution shifts beyond 2032, regional projections from the Tasmania State Government released in 2022 with a 2021 baseline are applied, utilizing a weighted aggregation technique to scale data from LGA to SA2 divisions. Looking ahead, the suburb is expected to experience population expansion that exceeds the national median, gaining 1,100 residents by 2041 relative to the most recent annual ERP data, which translates to a total growth of 14.4% over a 16-year duration.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
119 new dwellings have been approved in New Town over the past five years, an average of 23 a year. That is 3.6 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 21 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 33% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 68, running ahead of 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
New Town averages approximately 23 dwelling approvals annually, with a total of 119 residential approvals granted over the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, alongside 63 approvals recorded during FY-26 so far. Even with a shrinking population in recent times, the rate of construction has remained relatively sufficient, offering positive options for home purchasers, while new residential projects present an average building value of $352,000—a figure exceeding regional averages that suggests a focus on quality. Furthermore, commercial project approvals worth $9.7 million have been registered during this financial year, demonstrating ongoing business investment.
Construction activity in New Town is somewhat high relative to Greater Hobart, tracking at 31.0% above the regional per capita average over the 5-year timeframe, which helps preserve choice for buyers while reinforcing existing home valuations. However, this level remains below the national average, indicating a mature residential landscape and potential planning constraints. The mix of new construction consists of 33.0% detached houses and 67.0% attached dwellings. Focusing on denser residential styles provides more budget-friendly entry options, catering to downsizers, property investors, and first-time buyers. This represents a major shift from the current housing stock, which is 69.0% houses, hinting at a scarcity of developable land and reflecting shifting lifestyle desires and affordability demands. The area registers roughly 296 people for each dwelling approval, pointing to a low-density marketplace. Long-term forecasts indicate New Town will add 953 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. If current building rates do not increase, residential supply may fail to keep pace with population growth, potentially heightening competition among buyers and supporting upward pressure on prices.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around New Town
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 5 current infrastructure and development projects inside New Town, worth an estimated $120 million. A further 63 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $7.57 billion. 21 are already under construction and 18 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and sports & recreation. 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
Local performance is strongly influenced by updates to regional infrastructure, key projects, and planning policies. AreaSearch has identified 11 projects expected to impact the local area. Notable developments include the upgrade of Hobart City High School, the Queens Walk housing expansion, improvements to the New Town Sporting Precinct, and the New Town Rivulet restoration, with details on the most significant initiatives provided below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Hobart City High School Redevelopment
Completed redevelopment of Hobart City High School's New Town campus delivering a new learning and social heart, flexible learning spaces, upgraded science and art facilities, refurbished outdoor areas and improved student amenities. The project was delivered as part of the Tasmanian Government's education infrastructure program.
New Town Sporting Precinct Upgrades
City of Hobart building two new netball courts and providing infrastructure upgrades to a bowling green at the New Town Sporting Precinct. Part of broader recreational facility improvements.
New Town Rivulet Restoration
Returning the heavily concreted mouth of the New Town Rivulet to a natural, estuarine environment. Part of broader environmental restoration efforts across Hobart's waterways.
TasWater Moonah Infrastructure Upgrades
TasWater is undertaking essential water and wastewater infrastructure upgrade works across the Moonah network and surrounding facilities. The project enhances service reliability, renews aging pipeline assets, and supports regional population and urban development demands across Greater Hobart.
Royal Hobart Hospital Emergency Department Expansion
Construction is underway on the Royal Hobart Hospital Emergency Department Expansion. The project is part of the broader Stage 2 RHH Redevelopment and will expand and modernise emergency care facilities, including new treatment points, paediatric and mental health waiting areas, imaging capacity, procedure rooms and staged temporary access arrangements so the hospital can continue operating during works. Phase 1 was completed in 2023, while Phase 2 includes temporary ED access from Argyle Street before works shift to the Liverpool Street side of the hospital in mid-2026.Works are expected to continue until early 2028.
Queens Walk Housing Expansion
Expansion of the Queens Walk social and affordable housing precinct delivering 65 new apartments comprising 38 one-bedroom and 27 two-bedroom homes. Designed by Cumulus Studio and built by Fairbrother for Housing Choices Tasmania with Homes Tasmania funding, the project was completed ahead of schedule, increasing the precinct to 149 homes with upgraded communal facilities, landscaping and accessible public spaces.
Tasman Private Hospital
Comprising an integrated medical centre and hospital, including seven operating theatres and a 26 bed overnight ward for in-patient care.
Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor (NSTC)
A transformative urban renewal and transport initiative under the Hobart City Deal focused on the 4km corridor between Glenorchy and New Town. The project aims to activate a disused rail corridor for a high-frequency Rapid Bus Transit (RBT) network while stimulating medium-density housing and mixed-use development. As of early 2026, the project is a priority for federal funding following the submission of a comprehensive 368-page Strategic Business Case. It seeks to integrate land-use planning with sustainable transport to improve housing affordability and reduce congestion in Hobart's northern suburbs.
3,543 residents of New Town are employed, from a labour force of 3,689. Unemployment sits at 4.0%, with participation at 65.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.8% 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 local workforce is characterized by high levels of education and a strong representation in essential services, showing an unemployment rate of just 4.0% and stable job market conditions over the past year. In March 2026, there were 3,543 employed residents, with an unemployment rate 0.4% lower than the 4.4% recorded for Greater Hobart, while the participation rate closely matched the metropolitan benchmark of 63.8%. According to Census data, a modest 9.2% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic lockdowns. Resident employment is heavily concentrated within the fields of health care & social assistance, education & training, and public administration & safety.
The local economy exhibits a strong concentration in accommodation & food, employing workers at 1.3 times the regional average rate. Conversely, the construction sector is underrepresented, accounting for 5.1% of local jobs compared to 8.7% across the region. A ratio of 0.6 workers for every resident at the time of the Census indicates a higher-than-average availability of local jobs. An examination of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch shows that the 12-month timeframe saw both employment and the labor force rise by 0.1%, while the unemployment rate remained stable. This contrasts with Greater Hobart, which experienced a 0.1% decline in employment, a 0.2% expansion in the labor force, and a 0.3 percentage point increase in unemployment. Employment projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional context regarding future demand trends within New Town. These five and ten-year forecasts have been aligned with local industry profiles to project growth. Nationally, employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sector growth rates vary. Applying these trends to the local industry mix suggests employment among residents could grow by 6.8% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, though this is a basic weighted projection for illustration and does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in New Town is $1,621 a week (about $84,000 a year), with median personal income at $800 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $58,012 a year against an average of $70,682. 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
The most recent postcode-level ATO statistics from AreaSearch for financial year 2023 show that incomes in the New Town SA2 exceed the national average, with a median of $58,012 and an average of $70,682. This is higher than the Greater Hobart median of $54,577 and average of $65,190. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.95% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 would be roughly $64,364 for the median and $78,422 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in New Town were modest, falling between the 42nd and 49th percentiles.
Looking at income distributions, the largest group comprises 30.9% of residents (2,046 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, which is comparable to the metropolitan average of 32.2% for this bracket. Affordability constraints are significant, with residents retaining only 84.5% of their income, which ranks in the 44th percentile, while the SEIFA index ranks the area's income in the 6th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
New Town had 2,608 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 69% detached houses and 20% apartments. 27% are owned with a mortgage, 41% rented and 32% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $340 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,772 a month. Rent absorbs 21.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the housing mix in New Town consisted of 68.9% detached houses and 31.1% other housing types like apartments and semi-detached properties, compared to the Hobart metro split of 85.3% houses and 14.7% other dwellings. The rate of home ownership in New Town was 31.6%, slightly lower than the Hobart metro average, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (27.0%) or rented (41.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,772 was higher than the Hobart metro median of $1,517, while the median weekly rent of $340 was slightly lower than the metropolitan median of $350.
On a national level, New Town's mortgage payments are below the Australian average of $1,863, and rent prices are lower than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
New Town counted 2,608 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 23% are couples with children, fewer than in 78% of areas nationally, against 28% couples without children. 33% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.3 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 60.5%, consisting of couples with children at 22.7%, couples without children at 27.7%, and single parents at 9.1%. Non-family households account for the remaining 39.5%, with single-person households representing 33.4% and group households at 6.0%. The median household size of 2.3 people is slightly below the Greater Hobart average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
46.9% of adults in New Town hold a university qualification, including 27.1% with a bachelor degree and 15.6% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 14.5% hold a vocational qualification. 5 schools serve the area, with 2,168 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,013 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
Academic achievement in New Town is high compared to broader averages, with 46.9% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 25.5% in TAS and 30.4% across Australia. This educational profile positions the local workforce well for knowledge-based employment. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 27.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 15.6% and graduate diplomas at 4.2%. Vocational training is held by 23.1% of those aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.6% and certificates at 14.5%. Enrollment in education is high, with 30.6% of the population participating in formal study.
This includes 8.4% of residents in tertiary studies, 7.9% in primary school, and 6.2% in secondary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in New Town reaches 54 stops on 100 routes, timetabled for about 6,000 services a week. The typical home sits about 130 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.1 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport data shows 54 active bus stops within New Town. These stops accommodate 100 separate routes, which provide a total of 5,964 passenger trips each week. Transport access is highly rated, with the average distance to a stop being 131 meters. Most residents travel outside the suburb for work, with private cars remaining the primary transport mode at 71%, followed by buses at 13% and walking at 10%. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.1 cars, which is below the regional average. A low proportion of residents (9.2%) worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.
Service frequency averages 852 daily trips across all routes, which translates to roughly 110 weekly trips for each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
65.8% of residents in New Town report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 91% of areas nationally. 8.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 54.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 10.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Assessments of mortality and chronic illness rates by AreaSearch indicate notable health challenges in New Town, with various medical conditions affecting both older and younger demographics, while the rate of private health insurance coverage is relatively high at approximately 54% of the population (~3,583 people). This is higher than the 51.7% coverage rate observed across Greater Hobart. Mental health conditions and arthritis are the most prevalent medical issues locally, affecting 11.1% and 9.0% of the population respectively, while 65.8% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 65.5% in Greater Hobart.
Residents of working age experience higher-than-average rates of chronic illness. The area's population includes 18.7% of residents aged 65 and over (1,241 people), which is lower than the Greater Hobart level of 20.0%. Senior health outcomes present challenges, with national rankings aligning generally with the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
29.1% of New Town residents were born overseas and 22.7% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (27.6%) and Australian (23.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
New Town exhibits a higher level of cultural diversity than most local areas, with 29.1% of residents born outside Australia and 22.7% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religion, representing 34.8% of the population. There is a notable concentration of Hindu residents, who make up 6.6% of the local population compared to 2.8% across Greater Hobart. Looking at ancestral backgrounds, the top three heritages in New Town are English at 27.6%, Australian at 23.4%, and Other at 11.7%. There are also distinct differences in the representation of other ethnic backgrounds, with Polish heritage comprising 0.9% of New Town (compared to 0.8% regionally), Indian heritage at 2.7% (compared to 1.2%), and Chinese heritage at 4.1% (compared to 2.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of New Town is 38. 29.9% 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
New Town's median age of 38 matches the national average and is close to the Greater Hobart median of 39. Compared to Greater Hobart, the area has a high proportion of residents aged 25 - 34 (18.1%) and a lower proportion of children aged 5 - 14 (8.6%). Since 2021, the 35 to 44 age cohort has increased from 13.4% to 14.6% of the population, while the 25 to 34 cohort decreased from 19.7% to 18.1%. Demographic projections indicate the age structure will change by 2041, with the 45 to 54 cohort expected to grow by 396 people (50%) from 796 to 1,193, while the 35 to 44 cohort is projected to decrease by 195 residents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for New Town
9 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 9 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. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2026 last month all 5 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 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 2 sections | ||
| 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 — 84 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (6,606 at the 2021 Census → 6,623 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 (601051030). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.