Ulverstone

Ulverstone is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Ulverstone stands at approximately 7,209 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 121 individuals (1.7%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 7,088 residents. This shift is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 7,156 combined with 181 validated new addresses registered since the census. The population density is calculated at 262 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and capacity for future housing development. The population growth of 1.7% since the census is within 1.5 percentage points of the wider SA3 region (3.2%), indicating competitive growth trends. Population gains in the area were almost exclusively driven by overseas migration, which served as the primary source of growth in recent times.

Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, are utilized by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. For SA2 regions lacking this data, and to project age group variations after 2032, population projections from the Tasmania State Government published in 2022 with a 2021 baseline are applied, adjusted using a weighted aggregation method from LGA to SA2 levels. Looking ahead, these projections suggest a contraction in the overall population, with a forecast reduction of 324 residents by 2041. Conversely, expansion is predicted within particular age brackets, led by the 75 to 84 cohort, which is expected to rise by 298 individuals. Refer to the section on age distribution for further analysis.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Ulverstone according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Around 24 new dwellings have been approved annually in Ulverstone, totaling 122 approvals over the preceding 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 43 during FY-26 so far. Because the population has contracted recently, the supply of housing has remained sufficient to meet demand, leading to a balanced market with options for purchasers, while newly built properties average a construction cost of $331,000, which is slightly higher than the regional average and points to quality construction projects. Additionally, commercial development approvals reached $10.2 million this financial year, showing continuous business investment.

Ulverstone shows 13.0% less new construction per resident compared to the Rest of Tas., placing in the 67th percentile of assessed areas across the nation, despite a recent rise in building activity. This is also lower than the national average, indicating a mature area that may face planning constraints. Furthermore, all recent construction projects have consisted of detached houses, preserving the classic low-density feel of the area with family-oriented properties. With approximately 211 individuals per approval, Ulverstone is characterized by its low density.

As the population is projected to stabilize or decrease, the housing market in Ulverstone should experience less strain, which could present advantageous conditions for home buyers.

Ulverstone has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 28thth percentile nationally

Local infrastructure projects, planning choices, and major developments have a significant impact on local performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 8 projects that are expected to influence the area. Notable examples include Ulverstone Rise (Trevor Street Subdivision), Ulverstone Rise, the installation of a Wet Electrostatic Scrubber Precipitator, and the Jernej Way Residential Subdivision, with details provided on the most significant ones.

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

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The employment landscape in Ulverstone shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

The local workforce in Ulverstone features a balanced mix of professional and manual employment, with a strong representation of essential services, an unemployment rate of 4.3%, and a 3.4% estimated rise in employment over the past year. In March 2026, there were 3,107 employed residents, and the unemployment rate was 0.4% higher than the Regional Tas. level of 3.9%, while the participation rate of 53.3% was considerably lower than the Regional Tas. rate of 58.8%. Census data indicates that a low 6.0% of workers operated from home, though this may have been influenced by Covid-19 restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 4.7% of local jobs compared to 8.4% across the broader region. Although there are employment opportunities within the locality, the comparison of census workers to the local population indicates a significant portion of residents travel outside the area for work.

AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that for the 12 months ending March 2026, employment grew by 3.4% and the labor force expanded by 3.3%, which caused unemployment to decrease by 0.1 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, Regional Tas. recorded a 1.8% rise in employment and a 1.7% increase in the labor force, alongside a minor reduction in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia released in May-25 offer additional context on future demand in Ulverstone. These five and ten-year forecasts have been aligned with the local industry profile to estimate potential growth. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the expansion rates vary across industries. Applying these national trends to the local employment structure suggests that local employment could rise by 6.1% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, representing a basic weighted extrapolation that does not account for local population projections.

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

The latest postcode-level ATO statistics from AreaSearch for financial year 2023 show that incomes in the Ulverstone SA2 are lower than the national average, with a median of $51,689 and an average of $61,266. By comparison, Regional Tas. recorded a median of $49,689 and an average of $59,358. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index growth of 10.95% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 would be roughly $57,349 for the median and $67,975 for the average. Census records show that household, family, and individual incomes in Ulverstone place between the 4th and 12th percentiles across the country. The weekly income band of $400 - 799 is the most common, accounting for 33.4% of residents (2,407 people), which differs from the regional trend where 28.5% of households earn between $1,500 - 2,999. The high proportion of lower-income residents, with 40.9% earning under $800/week, points to restricted household budgets. After housing costs, residents retain 86.5% of their income, placing the area in the 7th percentile nationally.

Ulverstone is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

According to the latest Census, residential properties in Ulverstone consisted of 85.9% houses and 14.0% alternative structures such as semi-detached homes and apartments, compared to 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings in Regional Tas. The home ownership rate of 45.1% in Ulverstone was higher than in Regional Tas., with the remaining homes being mortgaged (28.7%) or rented (26.2%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was $1,123, which is below the Regional Tas. average, while the median weekly rent was $250, compared to regional averages of $1,274 and $250 respectively. Compared to national statistics, mortgage payments in Ulverstone are much lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are also significantly below the national median of $375.

Ulverstone features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Families make up the majority of households at 62.8%, which includes couples with children at 20.9%, couples without children at 28.9%, and single parents at 12.1%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 37.2%, with single-person households at 35.4% and group shared homes at 1.8%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is slightly lower than the Regional Tas. average of 2.3.

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

Educational attainment in the area is relatively low, with university completion rates at 14.8% compared to the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear need for targeted learning programs. Among university degree holders, bachelor degrees represent 10.6%, followed by postgraduate studies at 2.3% and graduate diplomas at 1.9%. Vocational and technical qualifications are common, with 38.8% of residents aged 15+ holding a qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 9.0% and certificates at 29.8%.

A significant proportion of the population, specifically 24.4%, is enrolled in formal education. Within this group, 10.2% are primary school students, 7.1% are secondary school students, and 2.5% are attending tertiary institutions.

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

Analysis of transit options indicates 2 active public transport stops in Ulverstone, which are serviced by bus routes. There are 7 routes operating across these stops, providing a total of 504 passenger trips weekly. Accessibility is low, with residents living an average of 1092 meters from the nearest stop. The area is predominantly residential, with 93% of commuting workers using a car and 4% choosing to walk. Dwellings have an average of 1.3 vehicles, which is lower than the regional average. A low 6.0% of the workforce worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which was potentially affected by pandemic conditions.

The average service frequency is 72 trips per day across all transit routes, which represents approximately 252 weekly trips for each transit stop.

Health performance in Ulverstone is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality and chronic disease trends indicates that Ulverstone faces notable health challenges, with health conditions present across both young and old populations, and a low level of private health insurance coverage at approximately 50% of the residents (~3,590 people), compared to the national rate of 55.7%.

The most prevalent health issues in the area are arthritis, affecting 13.1% of residents, and mental health conditions, affecting 9.2%. Meanwhile, 58.3% of the population reported no chronic health issues, compared to 62.0% in Regional Tas. Chronic illness rates are high among the working-age population. Furthermore, 32.6% of residents are aged 65 and over (2,348 people), compared to 24.9% across Regional Tas. Health outcomes for these older residents present some difficulties, with national rankings mirroring those of the wider population.

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

The local population displays limited cultural diversity, with 90.7% of residents born in Australia, 93.4% holding citizenship, and 97.2% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 46.6% of residents, compared to 43.0% across Regional Tas.

Regarding parental birthplace, the primary ancestries in Ulverstone are English at 35.4%, Australian at 33.4%, and Irish at 7.2%. Certain demographic groups are notably more represented here than in the wider region: Dutch ancestry accounts for 2.6% of the population (compared to 1.7% regionally) and Australian Aboriginal ancestry stands at 5.8% (compared to 4.1%).

Ulverstone hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age of 49 years in Ulverstone is higher than the Regional Tas. median of 45 and the national median of 38. The 75 - 84 age cohort is highly represented at 12.4% of the population, which is above both the Regional Tas. average and the national average of 6.1%, while young adults aged 25 - 34 are under-represented at 7.8%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 rose from 10.1% to 12.4%, and the 85+ cohort grew from 3.4% to 4.6%. In contrast, the 55 to 64 group fell from 15.2% to 13.3%, and the 25 to 34 cohort declined from 9.7% to 7.8%. By 2041, the age structure is expected to shift significantly. The 75 to 84 group is projected to expand by 31% (273 people) to reach 1,170 from 896. This demographic aging is underscored by the fact that residents aged 65+ represent 88% of all projected population growth, while the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 cohorts are projected to shrink.