Norwood (Tas.)

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

Norwood's population is estimated at 3,846 in May 2026, which represents a decline of 185 individuals (4.6%) since the 2021 Census, when the count stood at 4,031. This shift is calculated using the ABS June 2025 estimated resident population of 3,844 along with 6 validated new addresses recorded after the Census. The population density is 963 persons per square kilometer, matching typical averages across analyzed locations. Recent population gains were almost entirely due to overseas migration.

Projections for each SA2 region adopt ABS/Geoscience Australia data published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. For areas missing this data and to estimate age group shifts after 2032, the Tasmania State Government's 2022 projections (2021 base year) are utilized, applying a weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Based on these projections, the total population is expected to fall by 8 people by 2041. Growth is predicted in specific age groups, particularly the 85 and over cohort, which is expected to rise by 151 individuals.

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

Development in Norwood is extremely minimal, with approvals averaging 3 per year, totaling 18 approvals over five years. This low level of activity aligns with the rural character of the region, where new construction responds to specific local residential needs rather than broader market demand. Because of the small volume of approvals, individual projects can heavily influence yearly statistics and comparisons.

Construction activity in Norwood is considerably lower than in Rest of Tas. and falls far below the national average. Recent approvals have consisted entirely of single-family detached homes, catering to residents seeking a rural lifestyle and extra space. A highly mature market is indicated by a ratio of roughly 3888 people for every dwelling approval.

Fewer housing demands are expected in Norwood due to stable or decreasing population projections, which may benefit home buyers.

Norwood has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 16thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure, major projects, and planning policies significantly affect regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 8 key projects affecting the area. These projects include Dwelling and Shed at 18 Casuarina Dr, Summerhill 7250, Residential dwelling and vegetation removal at 38 Casuarina Dr, Summerhill, Peacehaven Aged Care Redevelopment, and Kings Meadows Land Release.

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

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Employment performance in Norwood exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

The labor force in Norwood is highly skilled, with strong representation in essential services and an unemployment rate of only 2.3%. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 1,790, with the unemployment rate sitting 1.6% below the Regional Tas. rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation matches the Regional Tas. rate of 58.8%. A low proportion of residents (8.3%) worked from home according to the Census, though this may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. The local workforce is specialized in health care & social assistance, showing an employment share 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 1.6% of local employment compared to 8.4% across the region. A comparison of the local working population to the resident population suggests that this residential area offers few local jobs.

Analysis of SALM and ABS figures indicates that over the 12-month period, the labor force shrank by 1.6% and employment fell by 1.3%, leading to a 0.2 percentage point drop in unemployment. During the same period, Regional Tas. saw employment rise by 1.8%, the labor force grow by 1.7%, and unemployment decrease slightly. Future labor demand in Norwood can be analyzed through national forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary by industry. Applying these national trends to the local industry mix suggests Norwood's employment could grow by 6.8% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, representing a simple weighted extrapolation that excludes local population trends.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Taxpayer data from the ATO released for the 2023 financial year shows Norwood SA2 has a median income of $51,602 and an average of $64,267, which is lower than national averages but higher than the Regional Tas. median of $49,689 and average of $59,358. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 10.95% since the 2023 financial year, estimated figures for March 2026 are approximately $57,252 for the median and $71,304 for the average. Census data places household, family, and personal incomes in the 28th to 33rd percentiles. Income distribution shows 32.0% of the population (1,230 people) earning between $1,500 and $2,999, similar to the regional proportion of 28.5%. Housing costs are manageable, leaving 88.2% of income retained, although disposable income is in the 38th percentile and the SEIFA index puts the area in the 5th decile.

Norwood is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Census data shows that Norwood's housing stock consists of 87.8% separate houses and 12.2% other housing types, compared to 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings in Regional Tas. Home ownership is high at 45.6%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (35.8%) or rented (18.6%). The median monthly mortgage payment is $1,372, and the median weekly rent is $320, both higher than the Regional Tas. figures of $1,274 and $250. Nationally, Norwood's housing costs are low, with mortgage payments well below the Australian average of $1,863 and rents below the national average of $375.

Norwood has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Families make up 67.7% of households, consisting of couples with children (25.7%), couples without children (30.4%), and single parent families (10.6%). The remaining 32.3% are non-family households, which include lone person households at 29.9% and group households at 2.2%. The median household size is 2.3 people, matching the Regional Tas. average.

Educational outcomes in Norwood fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The educational profile of the area is distinct, with 25.8% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, exceeding the Rest of Tas. average of 19.3%. Bachelor degrees account for 17.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 5.7% and graduate diplomas at 2.7%. Vocational qualifications are held by 31.3% of residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.3%) and certificates (21.0%).

Enrolment in education is high, with 26.2% of residents studying. This includes 9.1% of the population in primary school, 8.6% in secondary school, and 3.4% in tertiary institutions.

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

Public transport in Norwood consists of 25 active bus stops. These stops serve 77 routes, providing 4,934 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is strong, with residents living an average of 195 meters from a stop. As this is a residential suburb, most residents travel elsewhere for work, with private cars being the main transport mode for 94% of commutes. Households average 1.5 vehicles. A low proportion of residents (8.3%) work from home according to the 2021 Census, which may be reflective of pandemic conditions.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 704 trips per day, which is about 197 weekly trips per transport stop.

Health performance in Norwood is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Analysis of mortality rates and chronic illness prevalence indicates health challenges in Norwood. Illness is common across all age brackets, and the rate of private health insurance is low, covering about 51% of the population (~1,969 individuals), compared to 49.1% in Regional Tas.

The most frequent conditions reported are arthritis (11.1% of residents) and mental health conditions (8.5%). Meanwhile, 61.2% of residents reported having no medical conditions, compared to 62.0% in Regional Tas. Working-age residents experience high levels of chronic health issues. Residents aged 65 and over make up 28.3% of the population (1,088 individuals), which is higher than the regional level of 24.9%. Seniors face significant health challenges, ranking higher nationally than the general population.

Norwood is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Norwood has lower cultural diversity than average, with 87.2% of residents born in Australia, 92.3% holding citizenship, and 93.9% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 51.7% of the population. Judaism shows the most significant overrepresentation, accounting for 0.3% of residents compared to 0.1% in Regional Tas.

The primary ancestries in Norwood are Australian at 34.3%, English at 33.7%, and Scottish at 7.7%. Specific ethnic representations differ from regional averages, with Dutch at 1.9% (compared to 1.7% regionally), Polish at 0.7% (compared to 0.4% regionally), and Australian Aboriginal at 1.9% (compared to 4.1% regionally).

Norwood hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Norwood is 47, slightly higher than the Regional Tas. median of 45 and well above the Australian median of 38. The 75 - 84 cohort is over-represented at 12.1% compared to Regional Tas., while the 25 - 34 cohort is under-represented at 8.1%. The proportion of residents aged 75 - 84 is higher than the national figure of 6.1%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age bracket rose from 11.0% to 12.4% and the 75 to 84 cohort grew from 10.8% to 12.1%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 group fell from 13.6% to 11.2%, and the 85+ cohort decreased from 6.5% to 5.0%. Projections to 2041 indicate shifts, with the 85+ group expected to grow by 151 people (79%), rising from 191 to 343. Seniors aged 65 and over will account for 62% of total growth. Declines are projected for the 75 to 84 and 0 to 4 age brackets.