Port Sorell
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Port Sorell are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Port Sorell's population is around 6,910 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 438 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,472 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,830 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 232 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 19.0 persons per square kilometer. Port Sorell's growth rate exceeded the SA4 region (4.7%) and the state, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 78.8% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and to estimate growth by age group post-2032, Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Population projections indicate an increase just below the median of regional areas nationally, with the area expected to grow by 509 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, recording a gain of 6.2% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Port Sorell among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Port Sorell has approved approximately 75 dwellings annually over the past five financial years, totalling 378 homes. As of FY26, 11 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.5 new residents arrived per year for each new home between FY21 and FY25, indicating balanced supply and demand. This figure has eased to 0.8 people per dwelling over the past two years. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $340,000.

In FY26, $2.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Compared to the Rest of Tas., Port Sorell shows 95.0% higher development activity per person. Building activity has slowed recently and consists entirely of standalone homes, preserving the area's low density nature. With around 126 people per dwelling approval, Port Sorell exhibits growth area characteristics. Future projections estimate an addition of 429 residents by 2041.

Current construction levels suggest adequate housing supply to meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth beyond current forecasts.

Port Sorell has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 11thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 projects that may affect the region. Notable ones include Entrance to Port Sorell Roundabout Improvements, Cradle Coast NRM - Rice Grass Control Program, Port Sorell Area Drainage, and Hawley Foreshore Shared Pathway Project. The following list details those most likely to be 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 positions Port Sorell ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Port Sorell has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 2.3% as of June 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.1%. In June 2025, 3,205 residents were in work, with an unemployment rate of 1.6%, below Rest of Tas.'s rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation was somewhat below standard at 52.6% compared to Rest of Tas.'s 55.7%. Key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

Port Sorell shows strong specialization in construction with an employment share of 1.2 times the regional level. Accommodation & food is under-represented at 6.4% compared to Rest of Tas.'s 7.7%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. Over a 12-month period, employment increased by 2.1% while labour force increased by 2.2%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. In contrast, Rest of Tas. experienced employment decline of 0.5% and labour force decline of 0.6%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Port Sorell's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.1%% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, using a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

In financial year 2022, Port Sorell's median income among taxpayers was $48,266 with an average level of $59,520. This is below the national average and compares to levels of $47,358 and $57,384 across Rest of Tas. respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.83% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $54,941 (median) and $67,752 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Port Sorell all fall between the 19th and 19th percentiles nationally. Distribution data shows 28.1% of the population (1,941 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, mirroring regional levels where 28.5% occupy this bracket. While housing costs are modest with 87.9% of income retained, the total disposable income ranks at just the 23rd percentile nationally.

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

Port Sorell's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 92.7% houses and 7.4% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Tas. had 90.3% houses and 9.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Port Sorell stood at 50.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.2% and rented ones at 19.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,430, higher than Non-Metro Tas.'s average of $1,300. Median weekly rent in Port Sorell was $280, compared to Non-Metro Tas.'s $250. Nationally, Port Sorell's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,430 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $280 compared to the national figure of $375.

Port Sorell has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 71.6% of all households, including 23.2% couples with children, 40.3% couples without children, and 7.8% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 28.4%, consisting of 26.1% lone person households and 2.0% group households. The median household size is 2.3 people, which matches the average for the Rest of Tas.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 17.1%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 12.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 10.2% and certificates at 30.9%.

A substantial 23.1% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 9.1% in primary, 6.9% in secondary, and 2.1% in tertiary education. The area has two primary schools - Port Sorell Primary School and Andrews Creek Primary School, serving a total of 461 students. These schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. The local school capacity is limited at 6.7 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 14.1, leading many families to travel for schooling.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Port Sorell faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% (~3,420 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (12.5%) and asthma (7.9%). 61.5% of residents report no medical ailments, similar to Rest of Tas. (61.1%). Port Sorell has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 33.1% (2,289 people), compared to Rest of Tas. (25.4%). Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are above average and better than the general population in various metrics.

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

Port Sorell showed lower cultural diversity with 87.8% born in Australia, 91.4% being citizens, and 97.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion at 46.6%. Judaism's representation was similar to the regional average at 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (36.6%), Australian (33.9%), and Scottish (7.9%). Dutch and Australian Aboriginal had notable divergences with 1.5% vs 1.4% and 3.2% vs 4.7%, respectively.

Port Sorell ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Port Sorell is 52 years, significantly higher than Rest of Tas.'s average of 45 and considerably older than Australia's national norm of 38 years. The 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented in Port Sorell at 18.5%, compared to the Rest of Tas. average, while those aged 25-34 are under-represented at 7.1%. This concentration of those aged 65-74 is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the proportion of those aged 75 to 84 has grown from 9.3% to 11.6%, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 9.1% to 10.3%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 12.8% to 11.0%, and the 25 to 34 group dropped from 8.2% to 7.1%. By 2041, Port Sorell is projected to see significant shifts in its age composition. The number of those aged 85 and above is expected to expand substantially by 277 people (133%), from 208 to 486. Notably, the combined age groups of 65 and above will account for 73% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, both the 0-4 and 25-34 age groups are projected to decrease in number.