Southern Midlands
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Southern Midlands reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Southern Midlands' population is approximately 7,166 as of November 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 491 people, representing a 7.4% growth since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 6,675. The change was inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 6,981 in June 2024 and an additional 216 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2.8 persons per square kilometer. Southern Midlands' growth exceeded the state's (4.8%) and non-metro areas, marking it as a regional growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 47.2% to overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including interstate migration and overseas migration being positive factors.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered, Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA projections are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Projections indicate a decline in overall population by 273 persons by 2041, but growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, led by the 75-84 age group projected to grow by 239 people.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Southern Midlands among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Southern Midlands has received approximately 46 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 232 homes. As of FY-26, 11 approvals have been recorded. Each new dwelling built in the area between FY-21 and FY-25 has resulted in an average of 2.2 new residents per year. The average construction cost value for these dwellings is $256,000.

In FY-26, there have been $16.5 million in commercial approvals. Compared to the Rest of Tas., Southern Midlands has seen slightly more development, with a 32.0% increase per person over the past five years. The recent development has consisted entirely of detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low density character.

There are approximately 140 people per dwelling approval in Southern Midlands. Despite stable or declining population forecasts, this may create favourable conditions for buyers due to reduced housing pressure.

Southern Midlands has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 9thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 17 projects that may impact this region. Notable ones include Ted Jeffries Memorial Park Upgrade, Jordan River Learning Federation School Farm Upgrade, Brighton Town Square Development, and Federal Government Growth Precinct Infrastructure Program - Brighton South. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 2.9%, Southern Midlands has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Southern Midlands has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors, and an unemployment rate of 2.9%. As of June 2025, 3,156 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.1% below Rest of Tas.'s rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation is similar to Rest of Tas., at 55.7%. Dominant employment sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction. The area specializes in agriculture, forestry & fishing with an employment share 1.8 times the regional level, but has lower representation in accommodation & food services at 4.1% compared to the regional average of 7.7%. Over the year to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 5.0%, and employment fell by 5.4%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points.

In contrast, Rest of Tas. saw employment contract by 0.5% and labour force fall by 0.6%, with marginal unemployment decrease. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections suggest Southern Midlands will grow approximately 5.6%% over five years and 12.1% over ten years based on its employment mix.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ended June 30, 2022 shows median income in Southern Midlands was $47,375 and average income was $52,857. In Rest of Tas., median income was $47,358 and average income was $57,384. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.83% from July 1, 2022 to September 2025, estimated median income in Southern Midlands is approximately $53,927 and average income is $60,167. Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Southern Midlands are between the 21st and 22nd percentiles nationally. Income brackets show that 31.2% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually (2,235 individuals), similar to regional levels where this cohort represents 28.5%. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 87.2% income retention, total disposable income ranks at the 27th percentile nationally.

Southern Midlands is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Southern Midlands' dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 98.5% houses and 1.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro Tas.'s 97.8% houses and 2.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Southern Midlands stood at 41.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 45.4% and rented ones at 13.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, higher than Non-Metro Tas.'s average of $1,200. Median weekly rent in Southern Midlands was $250, compared to Non-Metro Tas.'s $240. Nationally, Southern Midlands' mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,863 and rents substantially below the national figure of $375.

Southern Midlands has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 73.8% of all households, including 29.7% couples with children, 32.5% couples without children, and 10.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 26.2%, with lone person households at 24.5% and group households comprising 1.9%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Rest of Tas. average of 2.4.

Southern Midlands faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 11.6%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 8.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.4%) and certificates (31.4%). Educational participation is high at 27.1%, comprising primary education (11.7%), secondary education (7.7%), and tertiary education (2.2%).

The four schools in Southern Midlands have a combined enrollment of 598 students, with varied educational conditions across the area. These schools include two primary and two K-12 institutions.

No public transport data available for this catchment area.

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

Southern Midlands faces significant health challenges. Common health conditions are prevalent among both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is low at approximately 47%, covering about 3,346 people, compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most common conditions are arthritis (11.6%) and mental health issues (9.7%). About 62.5% report no medical ailments, similar to the Rest of Tas at 62.3%. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over, at 21.3% or 1,527 people, performing well in health metrics compared to the general population.

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

Southern Midlands had a lower than average cultural diversity level, with 91.0% citizens, 93.4% born in Australia, and 98.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 50.9%. This figure is higher than the Rest of Tas.

average of 49.6%. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (36.7%), English (36.3%), and Irish (7.3%). Notably, the Australian Aboriginal population was overrepresented in Southern Midlands at 4.9%, compared to the regional average of 4.6%.

Southern Midlands hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Southern Midlands has a median age of 44, similar to the Rest of Tasmania's figure of 45 but higher than the national average of 38. The 55-64 age group is strongly represented at 15.6%, compared to the Rest of Tasmania. However, the 75-84 cohort is less prevalent at 6.6%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 75-84 age group has grown from 5.5% to 6.6% of the population. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 13.7% to 12.4%. By 2041, Southern Midlands is expected to experience significant shifts in its age composition. The 75-84 group is projected to grow by 42%, reaching 673 people from the current 472. This growth is part of a broader aging population trend, with those aged 65 and above comprising 77% of the projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 0-4 and 65-74 age groups.