Chart Color Schemes
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.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Southern Midlands has an estimated 7,046 residents, up from 6,675 at the 2021 Census — a change of 371 people, or 5.6%. Growth has averaged 1.0% a year over five years. 239 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Natural increase accounts for 50.8% of that increase. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, demographic assessments by AreaSearch place the population of Southern Midlands at approximately 7,046 residents. This marks an expansion of 371 people (5.6%) compared to the 6,675 people counted during the 2021 Census. Such adjustments stem from the ABS estimated resident population figure of 6,998 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 239 validated new addresses established following the Census. With 2.7 persons per square kilometer, the district maintains a low density profile offering considerable living space. Outperforming both the statewide mark of 4.2% and the Rest of Tas.
benchmark, the locality's 5.6% gain since the 2021 census positions it at the forefront of regional demographic expansion. Natural growth served as the chief catalyst, generating roughly 50.8% of recent population additions, while overseas migration and interstate migration likewise supplied positive inflows. Projections for SA2 districts utilize ABS/Geoscience Australia models published in 2024 using 2022 as a base year. Where SA2 coverage is absent, and for age cohort projections extending beyond 2032, figures incorporate Tasmania State Government Regional/LGA forecasts from 2022 (with 2021 as the base year), adapted via weighted aggregation from LGA down to SA2 boundaries. Under this framework, anticipated demographic transitions indicate an overall contraction, shrinking the local populace by 279 persons by 2041. In contrast, certain age brackets will experience gains, most noticeably the 75 to 84 age cohort, which is expected to expand by 220 people. <i>See the age section for more details.</i>
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
220 new dwellings have been approved in Southern Midlands over the past five years, an average of 44 a year. That places the area in the 62nd percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 6 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 44 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 100% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building authorisations in Southern Midlands have averaged approximately 44 homes per year, yielding 220 homes approved across the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). Over this 5 financial years span (between FY-22 and FY-26), the ratio of 1.6 new residents per year per dwelling built indicates balanced conditions between supply and demand, which has further moderated to 0.9 people per dwelling across the past 2 financial years to indicate enhanced supply conditions. Newly built residences carry an average estimated construction value of $361,000. Additionally, non-residential building activity remains moderate, with $16.5 million in commercial approvals recorded during the current financial year.
Building activity in Southern Midlands exceeds that of Rest of Tas. by 35.0% above regional average per person over the 5 year period, maintaining healthy stock for purchasers while supporting local market demand. Recent residential construction has consisted solely of detached houses, reinforcing low-density neighborhood characteristics and catering to buyers seeking spacious detached homes. The market maintains a low-density profile with approximately 159 people per dwelling approval. Given that demographic forecasts indicate stagnant or declining headcount, housing demand pressures across Southern Midlands are expected to ease, creating advantageous conditions for prospective buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Southern Midlands
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 55 current infrastructure and development projects close to Southern Midlands, worth an estimated $3.62 billion. 11 are already under construction and 23 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. 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
Community development and regional momentum are heavily guided by civil infrastructure, public planning, and major capital initiatives. AreaSearch has pinpointed 17 projects within the district that are expected to shape local growth. Prominent undertakings include the Ted Jeffries Memorial Park Upgrade, Jordan River Learning Federation School Farm Upgrade, Brighton Town Square Development, and the Federal Government Growth Precinct Infrastructure Program - Brighton South, with details outlined below regarding the most significant works.
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
Ted Jeffries Memorial Park Upgrade
Staged upgrade of the Ted Jeffries Memorial Park precinct delivering skate park improvements, basketball half court and youth recreation area, expanded car parking including bus parking, soccer pitch upgrades and extensions, new clubrooms and changerooms, off-lead dog park and associated street and drainage works. Funded by the Australian Government ($2.3m) and Brighton Council ($1.1m), the $3.4 million masterplan was completed in 2025 with the clubrooms and changerooms opened by mid-2025. The project won the 2025 IPWEA Tasmania Excellence in Asset Management, Innovation or Sustainability award.
Brighton to Cambridge Freight Route Study
Strategic transport study assessing future freight route corridors connecting the Brighton Transport Hub to the Cambridge industrial and airport precinct. The investigation evaluates existing alignments via Tea Tree Road, Colebrook Road, and the Midland and Tasman Highways to address long-term road safety, efficiency, and heavy vehicle movements. Planning studies and corridor options assessment remain underway by Transport Tasmania.
Jordan River Learning Federation School Farm Upgrade
Government-funded upgrade of the JRLF School Farm in Bridgewater/Brighton to enhance agricultural and landcare education pathways, including new learning spaces, paddock-to-plate facilities and community-use areas. Works were completed in 2022 and the facility is now operating as part of the JRLF Senior School.
Brighton Town Square Development
Community-focused town square delivered by Brighton Council in central Brighton next to the new IGA complex. The square provides a lawn for passive play, picnic tables, bench seating, shade sails, native gardens with feature trees, a water play element themed to the Jordan River, catenary lighting and upgraded public amenities to create a civic gathering space for events and everyday use.
Federal Government Growth Precinct Infrastructure Program - Brighton South
Comprehensive $10 million infrastructure package including new sewer pump station, upgrades to Brighton Road, Dylan Street and William Street, and over 1 kilometre of shared pathways connecting township to industrial hub. The project includes construction of sewage pumping station, gravity sewer main, and rising sewer main designed to service 73 hectares of residential and commercial land, supporting up to 600 new homes and the new Brighton High School. Completed February 2025.
Housing Land Supply Order (Brighton) 2024 - William Street Rezoning
Strategic rezoning of land from rural to General Residential Zone to facilitate additional housing development. Land described by folios FR 108441/1 and 78100/1, enabling increased residential density in this growth corridor.
Homes Tasmania Brighton Subdivision
Major residential subdivision delivering 109 lots across 10.7 hectares, including 107 residential lots, one commercial lot, and public open space. Approximately 85% of lots will be sold privately with the MyHome shared equity program, while 15% will be retained for social and affordable rental housing.
New Brighton High School
State-of-the-art co-educational high school for Years 7-12 accommodating up to 600 students. Features modern facilities including multi-purpose hall, performing arts space, gymnasium, commercial kitchen and caf,, outdoor learning areas and technologies space.
3,456 residents of Southern Midlands are employed, from a labour force of 3,551. Unemployment sits at 2.7%, with participation at 60.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 5,932, about 84% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Southern Midlands exhibits an even distribution between blue-collar and white-collar roles, supported by solid representation across industrial and manufacturing trades, a low unemployment rate of 2.7%, and an estimated 11.3% growth in jobs over the previous year. As of March 2026, employed residents total 3,456, while local joblessness sits 1.3% below the 3.9% recorded in Regional Tas., and workforce participation stands at a typical 60.7% relative to 58.7% in Regional Tas.. Census records show that a modest 11.5% of workers carried out their duties from home, though pandemic-related movement restrictions during Covid-19 must be taken into account.
Local workers are predominantly engaged across agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, alongside construction. The region demonstrates pronounced industry concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, where its employment proportion reaches 1.8 times the regional level. Conversely, accommodation & food remains under-indexed, engaging only 4.1% of Southern Midlands workers compared to 7.7% in Regional Tas.. Comparing resident workforce totals to local Census working population figures suggests a limited supply of employment within the immediate area. Analysis by AreaSearch using SALM and ABS figures shows that between the 12 months ending March 2026, employment grew by 11.3% and the labour force expanded by 10.7%, leading to a 0.5% decline in the unemployment rate. This trend differs from Regional Tas., where employment climbed by 1.8%, the labour force grew by 1.7%, and unemployment dropped only slightly. The Jobs and Skills Australia national employment forecasts published in Mar-26 provide additional context for anticipating future job demand in Southern Midlands. These forecasts span five and ten-year horizons and have been overlaid on the local employment structure to estimate future growth trajectories. National employment is projected to rise by 6.6% in five years and 13.7% in ten years, though sectoral growth varies considerably. When these industry-level projections are weighted according to Southern Midlands's current employment composition, local employment is expected to grow by 5.6% over five years and 12.1% over ten years. It should be noted that this calculation relies on a simple weighting exercise for illustrative purposes and does not incorporate localized population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Southern Midlands is $1,330 a week (about $69,000 a year), with median personal income at $661 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $49,787 a year against an average of $54,989. 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
Postcode-level ATO figures from AreaSearch for financial year 2023 show that remuneration across the Southern Midlands SA2 tracks beneath national benchmarks, recording a median income of $49,787 and an average income of $54,989. These metrics compare to a median of $49,689 and an average of $59,358 in Regional Tas.. Applying a 10.95% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of approximately $55,239 (median) and $61,010 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and personal earnings in the district sit between the 21st and 22nd percentiles across Australia.
The dominant earnings cohort spans $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, representing 31.2% of the local population (2,198 residents), which aligns with the regional proportion of 28.5%. Although accommodation outlays are manageable—allowing residents to retain 87.2% of income—overall disposable earnings place the district in only the 27th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Southern Midlands had 2,473 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 99% detached houses and 1% apartments. 45% are owned with a mortgage, 14% rented and 41% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 18.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the local housing stock consisted of 98.5% houses alongside 1.6% other dwellings (incorporating apartments, semi-detached properties, and 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Regional Tas. where houses comprised 89.9% and other dwellings accounted for 10.1%. Home ownership rates mirrored the regional benchmark, with 41.1% owned outright, while 45.4% were under a mortgage and 13.5% were occupied by renters. The median monthly mortgage repayment reached $1,300, above the Regional Tas. figure of $1,274, whereas median weekly rent was identical to the Regional Tas. level at $250. Relative to Australia-wide figures, mortgage servicing costs in Southern Midlands sit well beneath the national norm of $1,863, and weekly rents are markedly lower than the $375 national average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Southern Midlands counted 2,473 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,610 today, averaging 2.5 people each. 30% are couples with children, against 33% couples without children. 25% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute the bulk of the community at 73.8% of all households, encompassing couples without children (32.5%), couples with children (29.7%), and single parent families (10.7%). The remaining 26.2% consists of non-family arrangements, with lone person households representing 24.5% and group households comprising 1.9%. The median household size stands at 2.5 people, exceeding the 2.3 average seen across Regional Tas..
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
11.6% of adults in Southern Midlands hold a university qualification, including 8.6% with a bachelor degree and 1.9% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 95% of areas nationally. A further 31.4% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 598 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 899 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
Educational attainment in the region remains subdued, as university-level qualifications sit at 11.6%, notably lower than the 30.4% recorded across Australia. This provides an avenue for tailored educational programs. Higher education credentials consist predominantly of Bachelor degrees at 8.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 1.9% and graduate diplomas at 1.1%. In contrast, vocational and technical credentials are widely held, with 39.8% of individuals aged 15+ holding trade qualifications, made up of certificates (31.4%) and advanced diplomas (8.4%). Participation in study is robust, with 27.1% of local residents actively undertaking formal schooling or courses.
This cohort comprises 11.7% attending primary schools, 7.7% in secondary education, and 2.2% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Southern Midlands means driving: households keep an average of 2.1 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
62.5% of residents in Southern Midlands report no long-term health condition. 7.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Analyses of mortality rates and chronic health conditions by AreaSearch indicate notable health challenges for Southern Midlands, with elevated disease incidence evident across both younger and older cohorts. Meanwhile, private health insurance uptake remains low, covering approximately 47% of the population (~3,297 people), below the 49.1% recorded in Regional Tas. and the national standard of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the most prevalent diagnoses locally, affecting 11.6 and 9.7% of the populace respectively, while 62.5% of residents reported having no chronic ailments, comparable to 62.0% in Regional Tas..
Working-age residents experience significant health burdens marked by higher chronic ailment rates. Senior citizens aged 65 and over account for 22.1% of the population (1,555 people), which sits below the 25.1% share found across Regional Tas., aligning broadly with nationwide health rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Southern Midlands is largely Australian-born, at 93.4% of residents, with 1.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (36.7%) and English (36.3%). 4.9% 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
Cultural diversity within Southern Midlands sits below typical benchmarks, with 91.0% of the community holding Australian citizenship, 93.4% born within Australia, and 98.5% using solely English in domestic settings. Christianity stands as the predominant faith, claimed by 50.9% of residents in Southern Midlands compared to 43.0% across Regional Tas.. Looking at ancestral origins (parents' birthplaces), the primary lineages reported in Southern Midlands are Australian at 36.7%, English at 36.3%, and Irish at 7.3%. Furthermore, certain backgrounds show notable variations, with Australian Aboriginal ancestry comprising 4.9% of the Southern Midlands population compared to 4.1% regionally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Southern Midlands is 44. 21.7% 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 age distribution in Southern Midlands generally aligns with Regional Tas. patterns, showing a maximum divergence of 3.0 percentage points across cohorts. The estimated median age is 44, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 1 year below the Regional Tas. median of 45 recorded at the Census, while the Australian median was 38. Retirees and senior age groups (65+) have risen from 19.0% at the Census to an estimated 22.1%. Long-term projections indicate that older cohorts will see the greatest growth by 2041, increasing by 252 residents (16%) to reach 1,808, whereas children, young adults, and young to middle-aged adult brackets are anticipated to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Southern Midlands
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 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) | Aug 2026 last month 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 4 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 6 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) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago 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 — 239 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,675 at the 2021 Census → 7,046 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 Aug 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 (603011067). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.