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
St Helens - Scamander has an estimated 7,259 residents, up from 6,756 at the 2021 Census — a change of 503 people, or 7.4%. Growth has averaged 1.7% a year over five years. 256 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 76.6% 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
According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of St Helens - Scamander stands at approximately 7,259 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 503 people (7.4%) from the 6,756 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. This population shift is calculated using the ABS June 2025 estimated resident population of 7,229 alongside 256 validated new addresses registered since the Census. The region has a population density of 2.2 persons per square kilometer, which indicates a low-density living environment with substantial space per inhabitant. With its 7.4% growth rate post-2021, the area expanded faster than both the state average (4.0%) and the broader SA4 region, establishing it as a regional growth leader.
The primary driver of this population increase was interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 76.6% of the total population growth in recent times. Projections for each SA2 region from ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 using 2022 as a baseline, are utilized by AreaSearch. For SA2 regions lacking this data, and to project age bracket distributions beyond 2032, population estimates from the Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA projections (released in 2022 with a 2021 baseline) are incorporated using a weighted aggregation method that scales LGA growth figures to SA2 levels. Based on these demographic models, the overall population is projected to contract, with a forecasted decrease of 484 persons by 2041. In contrast, specific older age groups are projected to expand, particularly the 75 to 84 cohort, which is expected to increase by 268 individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
252 new dwellings have been approved in St Helens - Scamander over the past five years, an average of 50 a year. That places the area in the 75th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 7 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 39 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 100% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 46, broadly in line with 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
An average of approximately 50 new residential approvals has been recorded annually in St Helens - Scamander, representing a total of 252 homes over the last 5 financial years. In FY-26 to date, 43 residential approvals have been registered. The past 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) saw an average of 2.3 new residents per approved dwelling, signaling consistent demand that supports local property values, with new residential projects averaging a construction cost of $249,000. Furthermore, commercial development approvals total $4.1 million for the current financial year, indicating a minor focus on commercial construction.
Per capita construction activity in St Helens - Scamander is close to the average for the Rest of Tas., contributing to market stability that aligns with regional trends. Recent residential construction has consisted entirely of single-family detached homes, preserving the established low-density profile of the neighborhood and catering to households looking for larger properties. Reflecting a ratio of approximately 162 people for every approved dwelling, St Helens - Scamander exhibits typical signs of a developing area. Because the population is projected to stay steady or decline, housing demand in St Helens - Scamander is likely to ease, which may create favorable conditions for prospective property buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around St Helens - Scamander
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 41 current infrastructure and development projects close to St Helens - Scamander, worth an estimated $1.64 billion. 11 are already under construction and 16 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and retail. 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
Local infrastructure projects, major works, and planning updates are key drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 0 projects expected to impact the local area. Key regional projects include the Bass Offshore Wind Energy Project (BOWE), Tasmanian Irrigation Schemes: Tranche 3, Cethana Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Project, and Marinus Link Stage 1, 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
Launceston Airport Terminal Redevelopment
A multi-million-dollar transformation of the Launceston Airport's Departures Hall, including an expanded leisure space, new food and beverage venues, and modern traveler conveniences. This is the biggest renovation of the terminal in almost 20 years and is part of a larger terminal redevelopment project.
Cedar Grove Estate - Stage 4, St Leonards
Stage 4 is a 48 lot release within Cedar Grove Estate, a 21 stage masterplanned community at St Leonards in Launceston. The wider estate is planned to deliver more than 500 homes with a central market place, urban farm, parks, walking and cycling paths, and future neighbourhood retail and services. Stage 4 land is DA approved and under construction, offering fully serviced lots from about 485 to 944 square metres in a semi rural setting about 7 minutes from Launceston CBD.
Cedar Grove Estate
Cedar Grove is a masterplanned residential estate in St Leonards, Launceston, being delivered in multiple stages. The development is planned to ultimately provide more than 500 homes together with parklands, walking and cycling trails, a watercourse and lake, and a proposed village heart including an urban farm, cafe and neighbourhood retail precinct, subject to approvals. Multiple stages are currently under construction and selling.
38A Faulkner Road Rural Living Rezoning and Subdivision
Rezoning of approximately 39ha from Rural Resource to Rural Living Zone for a large-scale rural residential subdivision with around 35 lots of 1ha each. The original rezoning application (Amendment 47) was considered by the City of Launceston Council in late 2018/early 2019 and was subject to representations. The subsequent project stage is a development application for the subdivision. The land was sold in March 2018 as ideal for future development (STCA).
Peacehaven Aged Care Redevelopment
Redevelopment of the aged care facility (formerly Masonic Peace Memorial Haven) including the completed 16-bed Wellington Wing. The new wing was designed to modern standards with private ensuites, nurse call systems, natural lighting, hydronic in-slab heating, and a building management system. The overall redevelopment was planned in multiple stages, with this being the first major upgrade in some 20 years. The facility is operated by Respect Aged Care.
Oakden Park Residential Estate
One of Launceston's largest residential subdivisions featuring 216 residential lots on a 21-hectare site. The development includes generous flat blocks with mountain views, restored historic Oakden House homestead, realigned Kings Meadows Rivulet with native waterway parkland, bushland reserves, and walking tracks. Located minutes from Launceston CBD and Kings Meadows shopping precinct with excellent access to schools, airport, and amenities. Final stages (14 and 16) currently being sold.
Youngtown IGA Redevelopment
Redevelopment of the existing Youngtown IGA supermarket including a new Bottle-O liquor store tenancy, upgraded shopfront and entry, electronic promotional signage, internal reconfiguration and parking improvements including accessible parking. The proposal remains under assessment by the City of Launceston with no publicly confirmed approval or construction commencement identified.
Ravenswood Subdivision
A planned 100-lot subdivision on a 12.6-hectare site at 50 Wildor Crescent, Ravenswood. Developed by Homes Tasmania, the project aims to deliver affordable housing options, including lots available through the MyHome shared equity program. The site was transferred to Homes Tasmania in June 2023 and the development application was approved by Launceston City Council in November 2023.
2,675 residents of St Helens - Scamander are employed, from a labour force of 2,863. Unemployment sits at 6.6%, with participation at 44.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.9% 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 St Helens - Scamander comprises a mix of white and blue collar jobs across multiple industries, with a recorded unemployment rate of 6.6%. As of March 2026, employed residents count 2,675, while the unemployment rate sits 2.6% higher than the Regional Tas. rate of 3.9%. Furthermore, the participation rate of 44.8% is considerably lower than the 58.8% registered across Regional Tas. According to Census details, only 13.3% of workers operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic-related lockdown measures. The main industries employing local residents are health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade.
The region exhibits a strong concentration in accommodation & food jobs, with an employment share that is 1.5 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for 14.2% of the local workforce, which is lower than the regional rate of 16.5%. Comparing the number of working residents to local job opportunities suggests that local employment openings are somewhat constrained. According to an analysis by AreaSearch that combines SALM and ABS data, the labour force shrank by 1.6% and employment dropped by 1.1% over the year ending March 2026, which resulted in unemployment declining by 0.4 percentage points. This trend differs from what occurred in Regional Tas., where employment increased by 1.8%, the labour force expanded by 1.7%, and unemployment decreased only slightly. Forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia released in May-25 provide additional context for understanding potential future demand in St Helens - Scamander. These forecasts span five and ten year intervals and have been overlaid with the local employment structure to estimate future growth trajectories. The national outlook anticipates a 6.6% rise in employment over five years and a 13.7% increase over ten years, though expansion varies considerably across different industry sectors. When these sector-specific growth rates are applied to the employment composition of St Helens - Scamander, local employment is projected to grow by 5.9% over five years and by 12.6% over ten years, though it should be noted that this calculation uses a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not incorporate local population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in St Helens - Scamander is $835 a week (about $43,000 a year), with median personal income at $485 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $37,708 a year against an average of $48,769. 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
The most recent ATO postcode data for the 2023 financial year indicates that incomes in the St Helens - Scamander SA2 are below the national average, with a median of $37,708 and an average of $48,769. These figures compare to a median of $49,689 and an average of $59,358 in Regional Tas. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.95% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to a median of $41,837 and an average of $54,109 as of March 2026. According to the Census, household, family, and individual incomes in St Helens - Scamander rank between the 0th and 2nd percentiles nationwide.
The largest income bracket is the $400 - 799 weekly range, which accounts for 36.5% of the population (2,649 residents), differing from the broader regional trend where the $1,500 - 2,999 range is largest at 28.5%. With 48.3% of residents earning under $800 weekly, household budgets are generally tight. Although housing costs are relatively low and residents retain 87.2% of their income, total disposable income sits in the 3rd percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
St Helens - Scamander had 2,992 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 92% detached houses and 3% apartments. 23% are owned with a mortgage, 20% rented and 57% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $240 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,083 a month. Rent absorbs 28.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 29.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the last Census, the housing stock in St Helens - Scamander consisted of 91.9% houses and 8.1% semi-detached dwellings, apartments, or other housing formats, compared to 89.9% houses and 10.1% alternative dwellings across Regional Tas. Home ownership in the area is high, with 56.5% of homes owned outright, while 23.2% are mortgaged and 20.3% are rented. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,083 is lower than the Regional Tas. average of $1,274, and the median weekly rent is $240, compared to the regional figure of $250. Nationally, the monthly mortgage costs in St Helens - Scamander are below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are lower than the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
St Helens - Scamander counted 2,992 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 3,215 today, averaging 2.0 people each. 17% are couples with children, fewer than in 93% of areas nationally, against 36% couples without children. 36% 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
Families make up 62.1% of households in the area, consisting of couples without children (36.2%), couples with children (16.7%), and single parent families (8.5%). Non-family households account for 37.9% of the total, with single person households representing 36.0% and group households making up 2.0%. The median household size of 2.0 people is below the Regional Tas. average of 2.3.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
16.7% of adults in St Helens - Scamander hold a university qualification, including 11.9% with a bachelor degree and 3.0% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 91% of areas nationally. A further 30.6% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 721 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 930 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 is relatively low, with university graduation rates at 16.7% compared to the national average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 11.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.0% and graduate diplomas at 1.8%. Vocational and technical qualifications are common, with 40.3% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.7%) and certificates (30.6%). A total of 21.2% of the local population is enrolled in formal education. Primary school students make up 10.0% of the population, secondary school students account for 5.5%, and tertiary students account for 1.8%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around St Helens - Scamander means driving: households keep an average of 1.5 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
57.3% of residents in St Helens - Scamander report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 81% of areas nationally. 9.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators highlight challenges in St Helens - Scamander, based on mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic illnesses across both younger and older demographics. The rate of private health insurance coverage is low, standing at approximately 46% of the population (~3,346 people). This compares to a private coverage rate of 49.1% in Regional Tas. and a national average of 55.7%. The most common health conditions reported by residents are arthritis (14.2%) and mental health concerns (9.8%). Meanwhile, 57.3% of the population reported no chronic health conditions, compared to 62.0% in Regional Tas.
Chronic condition rates are elevated among the working-age population. Furthermore, 35.0% of the local population is aged 65 and over (2,542 people), which is higher than the Regional Tas. proportion of 24.9%, with national rankings for chronic conditions in the area being higher than the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
St Helens - Scamander is largely Australian-born, at 85.7% of residents, with 3.3% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (36.6%) and Australian (30.0%). 3.0% 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 in St Helens - Scamander is below the national average, with citizens making up 89.4% of the population, Australian-born residents accounting for 85.7%, and English-only speakers at home representing 96.7%. Christianity is the largest religious affiliation at 43.0%. The category of Other religions represents 0.7% of the population, which matches the Regional Tas. average of 0.7%. Looking at ancestral backgrounds, the top three groups in St Helens - Scamander are English (36.6%), Australian (30.0%), and Scottish (8.7%). Notable variations in other backgrounds include Welsh ancestry at 0.6% (compared to 0.4% regionally), Australian Aboriginal ancestry at 3.0% (compared to 4.1% regionally), and French ancestry at 0.5% (compared to 0.3% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of St Helens - Scamander is 56, older than 97% of areas nationally. 13.7% 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 median age in St Helens - Scamander is 56, which is higher than the Regional Tas. median of 45 and the national median of 38. The 65 - 74 age cohort represents 20.7% of the population, which is higher than the regional average and above the national figure of 9.4%, while the 25 - 34 cohort is lower at 6.3%. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 9.5% to 11.5% of the population, and the 35 to 44 cohort has risen from 9.5% to 10.7%.
In contrast, the 55 to 64 group declined from 20.1% to 17.8% and the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 12.2% to 11.1%. Demographic modeling suggests that by 2041, the age profile will shift, with the 75 to 84 group growing by 28% (236 people) to reach 1,072 from 835. Residents aged 65 and older represent 79% of the projected growth, while the 0 to 4 and 15 to 24 cohorts are expected to decrease in size.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for St Helens - Scamander
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) | Aug 2026 this 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 — 256 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (6,756 at the 2021 Census → 7,259 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 (602031064). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.