Penguin - Sulphur Creek

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Penguin - Sulphur Creek's population was around 5657 as of February 2026. This reflects an increase of 240 people, a 4.4% rise since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 5417. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5605 in June 2024 and an additional 134 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 88 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development. Over the past decade, Penguin - Sulphur Creek has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 58.7% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, 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. Looking at population projections moving forward, over this period projections indicate a decline in overall population with the area's population expected to contract by 307 persons by 2041 according to this methodology. However, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 75 to 84 age group which is projected to increase by 149 people.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Penguin - Sulphur Creek when compared nationally

Sulphur Creek in Penguin has granted approximately 25 residential property approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 128 homes. In FY-26 so far, 7 approvals have been recorded. On average, 2.4 people per year have moved to the area with each new home constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating healthy demand for housing. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $299,000.

This financial year has seen $21.3 million in commercial development approvals, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial growth. Compared to the rest of Tasmania, Sulphur Creek shows moderately higher building activity, with 20.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. All new construction has been detached dwellings, preserving the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

The location has approximately 229 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low-density market. Population projections suggest stability or decline, which should reduce housing demand pressures in Sulphur Creek, benefiting potential buyers.

Penguin - Sulphur Creek has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 41stth percentile nationally

Nine projects have been identified by AreaSearch as likely to impact the local area. These include upgrades to the Dial Regional Sports Complex infrastructure, improvements to Ironcliffe Road, a masterplan for Penguin Town Centre, and maintenance work on Penguin Jetty. The following details the projects deemed most relevant:.

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

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AreaSearch assessment positions Penguin - Sulphur Creek ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Sulphur Creek, Penguin, has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 3.3% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 5.6%. As of September 2025, 2816 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.3%, 0.5% below Rest of Tas.'s rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation was 61.7%, compared to Rest of Tas.'s 58.6%. According to Census responses, 8.4% of residents worked from home. Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. Education & training had particularly notable concentration, with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing employed only 4.7% of local workers, below Rest of Tas.'s 8.4%. Employment opportunities appeared limited locally, as indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 5.6%, labour force by 5.7%, resulting in unemployment rise by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Tas. experienced employment growth of 0.7% and labour force growth of 0.5%, with a 0.2 percentage point drop. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Sulphur Creek's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Penguin - Sulphur Creek SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $51,926 and an average of $61,851. These are lower than national averages of $49,689 and $59,358 for Rest of Tas. respectively. As of September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $56,911 (median) and $67,789 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.6% since financial year 2023. According to 2021 Census figures, Penguin - Sulphur Creek's household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 23rd and 23rd percentiles nationally. The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 29.6% of the community (1,674 individuals), similar to regional levels at 28.5%. Housing costs are modest with 87.7% of income retained, placing total disposable income at the 29th percentile nationally.

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

The dwelling structure in Penguin - Sulphur Creek, as per the latest Census, consisted of 92.2% houses and 7.8% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Tas. had 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Penguin - Sulphur Creek was at 42.3%, with the rest either mortgaged (38.0%) or rented (19.7%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, higher than Non-Metro Tas.'s average of $1,274. The median weekly rent was $260, compared to Non-Metro Tas.'s $250. Nationally, Penguin - Sulphur Creek's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Penguin - Sulphur Creek has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 70.1% of all households, including 25.7% couples with children, 34.3% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.9%, with lone person households at 28.1% and group households comprising 1.8%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the average in the Rest of Tas.

Educational outcomes in Penguin - Sulphur Creek fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 19.0%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.3%) and certificates (31.6%). Educational participation is high at 25.4%, comprising primary education (10.5%), secondary education (7.1%), and tertiary education (3.3%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 25.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.5% in primary education, 7.1% in secondary education, and 3.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Penguin-Sulphur Creek has 28 operational public transport stops, all served by buses. These stops are connected by 69 different routes, offering a total of 4706 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is considered good, with residents living an average of 382 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outside the area, with cars being the primary mode of transport at 96%. On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, only 8.4% of residents work from home, which may be due to COVID-19 conditions.

Across all routes, buses make an average of 672 trips daily, equating to around 168 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Sulphur Creek, Penguin, faces significant health challenges according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high across both younger and older age cohorts.

Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~2,817 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (11.3%) and mental health issues (9.1%). 62.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, similar to the Rest of Tas. (62.0%). The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 25.2% of residents aged 65 and over (1,427 people), which is higher than the national average for this age group.

The latest Census data sees Penguin - Sulphur Creek placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Penguin-Sulphur Creek, surveyed in August 2016, had 89.3% of its population born in Australia. 92.4% were citizens, with 97.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 42.3%, compared to 43.0% regionally.

Ancestry-wise, Australian (34.8%), English (33.5%), and Scottish (7.0%) were the top groups. Notably, Dutch representation was higher at 2.1% (vs regional 1.7%), Australian Aboriginal at 5.5% (vs 4.1%), and French at 0.4% (vs 0.3%).

Penguin - Sulphur Creek hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Penguin - Sulphur Creek is 47 years, which is slightly higher than the Rest of Tas. figure of 45 years and well above Australia's median age of 38 years. Comparing with the Rest of Tas., the cohort aged 55-64 is notably over-represented at 15.2% locally, while those aged 25-34 are under-represented at 10.4%. Between 2021 and present, the population share of the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 10.2% to 11.7%, while the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 13.6% to 12.3%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Penguin - Sulphur Creek's age structure. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to grow by 134 people (29%), increasing from 459 to 594 individuals. Residents aged 65 and above will contribute to 70% of population growth, reflecting demographic aging trends. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 age cohorts.