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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.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Smithton has an estimated 3,897 residents, down from 3,934 at the 2021 Census. The population has thinned by an average 0.6% a year over five years, slower than 95% of areas nationally. Density is about 43 people per 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 resident count of Smithton stands at approximately 3,897 in May 2026. This represents a contraction of 37 individuals (0.9%) relative to the 2021 Census, which documented 3,934 residents. The adjusted figure is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population of 3,886 in June 2025 combined with 39 validated new addresses registered since the Census. With this population level, the density ratio is 42 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious environment. International migration served as the primary contributor to population increases, acting as virtually the sole source of growth in recent times.
AreaSearch incorporates the 2024 projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, using 2022 as the base year. For locations lacking this coverage, and to calculate age-group shifts after 2032, regional projections from the Tasmania State Government released in 2022 (with a 2021 base year) are applied, modified via a weighted aggregation method translating growth from LGA to SA2 scales. Future projections indicate a downward trend, with the population set to contract by 228 persons by 2041 under this approach. Conversely, expansion is predicted for certain age cohorts, particularly the 75 to 84 bracket, which is expected to grow by 123 people. <i>See the age section for more details.</i>
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
91 new dwellings have been approved in Smithton over the past five years, an average of 18 a year. That is 4.5 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 1, well below 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
Smithton has recorded approximately 18 residential approvals per year, summing to 91 dwellings over the preceding 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 1 approvals have been documented. Given the recent population declines, construction levels have remained relatively sufficient, offering opportunities for purchasers, while new dwellings carry an average building cost of $296,000. Additionally, commercial approvals worth $5.7 million have been logged this financial year, suggesting minimal focus on commercial expansion. Compared to Rest of Tas., Smithton exhibits a slightly higher rate of residential approvals (28.0% above the regional per capita average over the 5 year period), which helps maintain buyer options while supporting existing home values, even though construction pace has slowed recently.
Recent approvals consist of 62.0% standalone houses and 38.0% semi-detached or multi-unit dwellings, pointing to an increasing share of medium-density formats that diversify market choices from standard family residences to cheaper, compact dwellings. This marks a notable shift from the established dwelling composition (which stands at 92.0% houses), reflecting a scarcity of development sites alongside changing resident preferences and budget constraints. The estimate of 878 people per dwelling approval highlights a quiet development sector with low overall activity. As the population is projected to stabilize or decrease, Smithton is likely to experience less pressure on its housing market, which could present favorable options for buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Smithton
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 43 current infrastructure and development projects close to Smithton, worth an estimated $5.41 billion. 12 are already under construction and 7 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, energy and transport & logistics. 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
Changes to local infrastructure, planning initiatives, and major developments have a significant impact on local performance. In total, AreaSearch has identified 0 projects expected to influence the area. Key regional projects include the Bass Highway Wynyard to Marrawah Corridor Strategy, Robbins Island and Jim's Plain Wind, North West Transmission Developments, and Marinus Link, with the most relevant ones detailed in the list below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Bass Highway Wynyard to Marrawah Corridor Strategy
A staged 100 million AUD Australian and Tasmanian Government highway upgrade program delivering road realignments, overtaking lanes, junction upgrades, shoulder widening and a heavy vehicle rest area between Wynyard and Marrawah. Eleven projects have been completed, with additional Stage 2 and Stage 3 projects entering construction during 2026 and further works continuing into 2027.
Robbins Island and Jim's Plain Wind
ACEN Australia's Robbins Island and Jim's Plain Wind project is a proposed $3 billion renewable energy development in the Circular Head region of north-west Tasmania. Jim's Plain Wind was approved in 2020 and Robbins Island Wind has secured Circular Head Council, EPA Tasmania and Commonwealth environmental approvals. The project includes up to 900 MW of wind generation, with Jim's Plain having optional solar and battery components, plus a bridge across Robbins Passage, a wharf on north-east Robbins Island and a proposed 120 km transmission line to connect to the Tasmanian high voltage network near Hampshire.The transmission line is still progressing through a separate environmental assessment, with approvals anticipated in 2026 and first generation targeted around 2030.
Woolnorth Wind Farm Repowering
Repowering of the Bluff Point and Studland Bay wind farms in far north-west Tasmania, owned by a joint venture between Shenhua Clean Energy Holdings (75%) and Hydro Tasmania (25%). The project would replace 62 existing turbines with 48 newer, higher-capacity models, increasing total generation capacity from 140MW to approximately 240MW while extending the operational life of both sites. Upgrades to the transmission line between Woolnorth and the TasNetworks Smithton substation are also proposed. The project has been declared a Controlled Action under the EPBC Act and is undergoing environmental impact assessment by the EPA Tasmania Board, with final EIS Guidelines issued to the proponent.The EIS is expected to take several years to prepare, with a commissioning target of around 2030.
Boat Harbour Beach Master Plan
Major foreshore renewal project delivering a new Surf Life Saving Club and community building with cafe, upgraded public amenities, new roads and parking, accessible pathways, landscaping, playgrounds, recreation spaces and improved beach access. Construction is well advanced with the new facility nearing completion and staged landscaping, demolition of the old building and official opening scheduled through 2026.
Boat Harbour Beach Master Plan
Foreshore renewal led by Waratah-Wynyard Council including a new surf life saving club community building, cafe, landscaped public spaces, nature-inspired playground, and upgraded parking. Main construction is nearing completion with an official opening expected in September 2026.
Wynyard Affordable Housing Development
Development of 47 energy-efficient affordable and social rental homes featuring single and double-storey units in Wynyard, Tasmania. Funded under Round 1 of the Housing Australia Future Fund and delivered by Housing Choices Tasmania in partnership with Homes Tasmania.
Cooee to Wynyard Coastal Pathway
A 13.2 km shared pedestrian and bicycle pathway along Tasmania's north-west coast between Cooee (Burnie) and Wynyard. Works included seven erosion-control rock revetments, penguin fencing upgrades, bridge safety works and integration of existing sections. Officially opened on 24 October 2024.
Bass Highway Cooee to Wynyard Upgrades
Priority works to realign and upgrade an approximate 3.2 kilometre stretch of the Bass Highway from Somerset to Wynyard, including the construction of two overtaking lanes, a central median safety barrier and enhanced lane markings along this section of the highway to improve road safety and traffic congestion.
1,886 residents of Smithton are employed, from a labour force of 1,968. Unemployment sits at 4.2%, with participation at 61.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 4.3% 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 in Smithton is balanced between white and blue collar occupations, featuring a prominent industrial and manufacturing presence, an unemployment rate of 4.2%, and an estimated job growth of 2.8% over the prior year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 1,886, with the unemployment rate sitting 0.2% higher than the Regional Tas. rate of 3.9%, and participation levels aligning closely with expectations (61.5% compared to Regional Tas.'s 58.8%). Census data indicated that only 4.5% of the workforce operated from home, though the influence of Covid-19 lockdowns should be taken into account.
The primary employment sectors for local residents are manufacturing, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and retail trade. The community exhibits a strong specialization in manufacturing, where the employment concentration is 2.7 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance is underrepresented, employing 8.0% of the workforce compared to 16.5% across the region. Although local jobs exist, the ratio of the Census working population to the resident population suggests a significant portion of residents travel outside the area for employment. According to AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics, the 12-month period recorded a job growth rate of 2.8% and a labour force expansion of 3.2%, which caused the unemployment rate to rise by 0.3 percentage points. During the same timeframe, Regional Tas. saw employment rise by 1.8% and its labor force grow by 1.7%, accompanied by a minor reduction. National forecasts published by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional perspective on prospective local demand. These five and ten-year projections have been integrated with the local industry profile to estimate future trends. Nationally, employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary significantly by sector. Weighting these national figures against Smithton's specific industry layout indicates a local employment increase of 4.3% over five years and 10.5% over ten years (note this represents a basic weighted projection for visualization and does not integrate local population trends).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Smithton is $1,189 a week (about $62,000 a year), with median personal income at $652 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $50,318 a year against an average of $57,302. 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
According to financial year 2023 ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch, taxpayer incomes in the Smithton SA2 remain below national averages. Taxpayers in Smithton SA2 recorded a median income of $50,318 and an average income of $57,302, contrasting with Regional Tas. averages of $49,689 and $59,358. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index rise of 10.95% since financial year 2023, estimated values for March 2026 stand at approximately $55,828 for the median and $63,577 for the average. Census records place family, household, and individual earnings in Smithton between the 12th and 19th percentiles nationwide.
In terms of earnings distribution, the largest cohort is the $1,500 - 2,999 range, containing 29.8% of taxpayers (1,161 people), which aligns with the regional distribution of 28.5% in this bracket. Although living expenses are moderate, leaving residents with 87.5% of their income, total disposable income sits at the 17th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Smithton had 1,521 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 92% detached houses and 1% apartments. 34% are owned with a mortgage, 29% rented and 37% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $222 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,083 a month. Rent absorbs 18.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the last Census, residential housing types in Smithton consisted of 92.2% standalone houses and 7.8% alternative formats (including semi-detached properties, apartments, and other dwellings), compared to 89.9% houses and 10.1% alternative formats in Regional Tas. Home ownership in Smithton was recorded at 37.2%, which is slightly lower than the regional rate, with the remaining properties occupied under a mortgage (34.2%) or rented (28.6%). Median monthly mortgage costs in the area were $1,083, notably lower than the Regional Tas. median of $1,274, while the median weekly rental cost was $222 compared to $250 in Regional Tas.
Nationally, mortgage payments in Smithton are much lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are significantly lower than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Smithton counted 1,521 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 23% are couples with children, fewer than in 76% of areas nationally, against 31% couples without children. 31% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.1 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 66.2% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 23.3%, couples without children at 30.8%, and single parents at 10.8%. Non-family households represent the remaining 33.8%, with single-person households at 30.8% and group households at 3.0%. The median household occupancy of 2.3 people is identical to the average across Regional Tas.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
12.0% of adults in Smithton hold a university qualification, including 8.2% with a bachelor degree and 3.2% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 96% of areas nationally. A further 30.4% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 874 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 874 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
The locality demonstrates lower levels of academic attainment, with university completion rates at 12.0%, compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear gap and a potential focus area for educational programs. Among degree holders, bachelor qualifications are most common at 8.2%, followed by postgraduate studies at 3.2% and graduate diplomas at 0.6%. Vocational qualifications are highly prevalent, with 37.9% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 7.5% and certificates at 30.4%. Participation in study is high, with 27.6% of the population enrolled in an educational program.
This figure comprises 12.1% in primary school, 9.2% in secondary school, and 2.0% in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Smithton means driving: households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
64.6% of residents in Smithton report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 81% of areas nationally. 6.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 47.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and the incidence of chronic illnesses, Smithton faces noticeable health concerns, with common medical issues present in both younger and older demographics, while private health insurance adoption is low, covering roughly 48% of the population (~1,854 people) compared to the national benchmark of 55.7%. The most prevalent health issues recorded among residents were arthritis and asthma, affecting 10.3 and 8.4% of the population, while 64.6% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 62.0% across Regional Tas. Rates of chronic health issues among working-age individuals are higher than average.
Residents aged 65 and over constitute 24.1% of the community (940 people). Senior health outcomes show some difficulties, though national comparisons are generally consistent with the broader public.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Smithton is largely Australian-born, at 89.7% of residents, with 5.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (34.1%) and English (30.0%). 12.8% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Smithton exhibits lower levels of multicultural diversity, with citizenship at 85.7%, Australian-born residents at 89.7%, and English-only speakers at home at 95.0%. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 48.9% of the population. However, the most distinct religious variation is Islam, which accounts for 2.1% of the population, compared to 0.6% in Regional Tas. Regarding parental birthplace, the primary ancestries in Smithton are Australian at 34.1%, English at 30.0%, and Australian Aboriginal at 12.8%, which is considerably higher than the regional average of 4.1%. Other notable ancestry concentrations include Maori at 0.7% (compared to 0.2% across the region), Dutch at 1.2% (compared to 1.7% regionally), and Samoan at 0.1% (compared to 0.0% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Smithton is 42. 23.2% 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
The median age in Smithton is 42 years, slightly below the Regional Tas. median of 45 years but higher than the national average of 38 years. Compared to Regional Tas., Smithton has a higher proportion of children aged 5 - 14 (12.3%) but a lower share of individuals aged 45 - 54 (9.5%). Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age cohort has increased from 10.2% to 12.3% of the total population, while the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 11.3% to 9.5%, and the 25 to 34 cohort declined from 12.9% to 11.5%.
Significant age structural changes are expected by 2041. The 75 to 84 cohort is projected to lead this shift, growing by 37% (118 people) to reach 440 from 321. Older residents aged 65 and above will account for 90% of the projected growth, while both the 0 to 4 and 15 to 24 age groups are expected to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Smithton
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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 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 May 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) | Jul 2026 last 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 — 39 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,934 at the 2021 Census → 3,897 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 (604031095). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.