South Hobart - Fern Tree

Population growth drivers in South Hobart - Fern Tree are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, South Hobart - Fern Tree's population is around 6,828 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 101 people (1.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,727 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,809 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 24 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 290 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development. Over the past decade, South Hobart - Fern Tree has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a 1.0% compound annual growth rate, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which was essentially the sole driver of population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, and to estimate growth by age group in the years post-2032, the 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, a population increase just below the median of national areas is expected, with the area expected to expand by 915 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 13.1% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in South Hobart - Fern Tree according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

South Hobart - Fern Tree has recorded around 17 residential properties granted approval annually, with 87 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 4 so far in FY-26. With an average of 1.8 people per year moving to the area for each dwelling built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), supply and demand appear well-balanced, creating stable market conditions, though recent data shows this has moderated to -0.7 people per dwelling over the past 2 financial years, suggesting an improved supply-demand balance. New properties are constructed at an average value of $212,000‚—below the regional average‚—suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. Additionally, $2.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, indicating a limited commercial development focus.

Compared to Greater Hobart, South Hobart - Fern Tree has similar development levels (per person), preserving market equilibrium consistent with surrounding areas. This activity is likewise lower than nationally, reflecting market maturity and pointing to possible development constraints. Further, recent building activity consists entirely of detached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (75.0% at Census), indicating continued strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. The estimated count of 652 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment.

Population forecasts indicate South Hobart - Fern Tree will gain 896 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

South Hobart - Fern Tree has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 7thth percentile nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 21 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include the South Arm Highway Upgrade (Acton Road and South Arm Road intersection), Roches Beach Living, Fragrance Group Conservatorium Development, and the Southern Outlet Transit Lane, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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.

The labour market in South Hobart - Fern Tree shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

South Hobart - Fern Tree has a highly educated workforce, with professional services showing strong representation, an unemployment rate of just 2.6%, and relative employment stability over the past year. As of December 2025, 3,918 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 1.5% below Greater Hobart's rate of 4.0%, and workforce participation is fairly standard (69.0% compared to Greater Hobart's 64.0%). Based on Census responses, a moderate 14.3% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services. The area has a particular employment specialization in education & training, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level. Conversely, construction shows lower representation at 4.6% versus the regional average of 8.7%. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of the Census working population versus the resident population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, during the year to December 2025, employment levels increased by 0.4% and the labour force decreased by 0.1%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Hobart experienced employment growth of 0.1% and a labour force decline of 0.1%, with a 0.2 percentage point drop. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within South Hobart - Fern Tree. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to South Hobart - Fern Tree's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.6% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for FY-23 reveals that income in the South Hobart - Fern Tree SA2 is very high nationally, with the median assessed at $57,136 while the average income stands at $77,204. This contrasts with Greater Hobart's figures of a median income of $54,577 and an average income of $65,190. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.6% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $62,621 (median) and $84,616 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in South Hobart - Fern Tree cluster around the 60th percentile nationally. Income brackets indicate the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 32.4% of the community (2,212 individuals), aligning with the metropolitan region where this cohort likewise represents 32.2%. After housing costs, residents retain 87.1% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power, and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

South Hobart - Fern Tree is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure within South Hobart - Fern Tree, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 75.3% houses and 24.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Hobart metro's 85.3% houses and 14.7% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within South Hobart - Fern Tree was higher than that of Hobart metro, at 37.4%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (33.4%) or rented (29.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was above the Hobart metro average at $1,625, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $380, compared to Hobart metro's $1,517 and $350. Nationally, South Hobart - Fern Tree's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceed the national figure of $375.

South Hobart - Fern Tree features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households dominate at 64.2% of all households, comprising 25.2% couples with children, 28.4% couples without children, and 9.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 35.8%, with lone person households at 28.7% and group households comprising 7.1% of the total. The median household size of 2.4 people matches the Greater Hobart average.

Educational achievement in South Hobart - Fern Tree places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Educational attainment in South Hobart - Fern Tree significantly surpasses broader benchmarks, with 57.2% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications compared to 25.5% in TAS and 30.4% in Australia. This substantial educational advantage positions the area strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees lead at 32.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (18.5%) and graduate diplomas (6.0%). Vocational pathways account for 19.7% of qualifications among those aged 15+ – advanced diplomas (8.1%) and certificates (11.6%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 34.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.1% in tertiary education, 9.9% in primary education, and 7.5% pursuing secondary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 89 active transport stops operating within South Hobart - Fern Tree, comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 123 individual routes, collectively providing 9,278 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 209 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 65%, with 14% walking and 9% cycling. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling, which is below the regional average. Some 14.3% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 1,325 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 104 weekly trips per individual stop.

South Hobart - Fern Tree's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Health data indicates relatively positive outcomes for South Hobart - Fern Tree residents, with AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and health conditions showing results broadly in line with national benchmarks. A fairly standard level of common health conditions is seen across both young and old age cohorts, and the rate of private health cover is very high at approximately 57% of the total population (~3,891 people), compared to 51.7% across Greater Hobart.

The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and arthritis, impacting 9.8% and 8.4% of residents, respectively, while 69.7% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 65.5% across Greater Hobart. The under-65 population demonstrates better than average health outcomes. The area has 17.7% of residents aged 65 and over (1,209 people), which is lower than the 19.9% in Greater Hobart. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in South Hobart - Fern Tree was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

South Hobart - Fern Tree is above average in terms of cultural diversity, with 24.4% of its population born overseas and 14.3% speaking a language other than English at home. The main religion in South Hobart - Fern Tree is Christianity, which makes up 25.5% of people. However, the most apparent overrepresentation is in Buddhism, which comprises 2.3% of the population, compared to 1.4% across Greater Hobart.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in South Hobart - Fern Tree are English, comprising 30.6% of the population, Australian, comprising 24.6% of the population, and Scottish, comprising 9.3% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Dutch is notably overrepresented at 2.1% of South Hobart - Fern Tree (vs 1.5% regionally), Welsh at 0.8% (vs 0.5%) and French at 0.8% (vs 0.3%).

South Hobart - Fern Tree's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

At 39 years, South Hobart - Fern Tree's median age matches the Greater Hobart average of 39 and remains essentially aligned with the Australian median of 38. Compared to the Greater Hobart average, the 15 - 24 cohort is notably over-represented (14.8% locally), while 65 - 74 year-olds are under-represented (8.8%). Following the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 12.2% to 14.8% of the population. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 12.0% to 10.4% and the 25 to 34 group dropped from 15.7% to 14.2%. Demographic modeling suggests South Hobart - Fern Tree's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 45 to 54 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 43%, adding 396 residents to reach 1,316. On the other hand, the 35 to 44 group will contract by 200 residents.