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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
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Waratah has an estimated 3,992 residents, up from 3,843 at the 2021 Census — a change of 149 people, or 3.9%. Growth has averaged 0.7% a year over five years. 100 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. 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 Waratah is approximately 3,992 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 149 people (3.9%) from the 3,843 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. This population shift is calculated using the ABS June 2025 estimated resident population of 3,980 alongside 100 validated new addresses registered since the Census. With these figures, the population density stands at 1.1 persons per square kilometer, indicating a low-density environment with substantial space per resident. The growth rate of 3.9% since the 2021 census placed Waratah ahead of the SA3 area (2.6%) and the broader SA4 region, establishing it as a leading growth area in the vicinity.
Natural increase was the main driver of this expansion, accounting for roughly 76.8% of the total population gains in recent times. Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are utilized by AreaSearch for each SA2 region. For locations lacking this data, and to project age cohort changes after 2032, the 2022 regional and LGA projections from the Tasmania State Government using a 2021 baseline are applied, adjusted via weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 scales. Looking at future demographic trends, this methodology projects a population decrease for the area, with a projected loss of 405 persons by 2041. In contrast, specific age brackets are expected to grow, particularly the 75 to 84 age group, which is forecast to increase by 93 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
116 new dwellings have been approved in Waratah over the past five years, an average of 23 a year. That is 5.9 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 8, well below 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
Approvals for residential builds in Waratah run at approximately 23 properties annually, totaling 116 homes approved during the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 8 during FY-26 so far. The average of 1.2 new residents per new dwelling over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) points to a balanced alignment of supply and demand, supporting stable conditions in the market, with new homes constructed at an average value of $274,000. Furthermore, commercial development approvals total $1.4 million for the current financial year, representing a low level of commercial building activity.
Relative to the Rest of Tas., new home approvals per capita in Waratah are 67.0% higher, presenting buyers with more choices even though construction activity has slowed lately. Additionally, recent construction is composed entirely of detached houses, maintaining the low-density character of the area and appealing to buyers seeking extra space. The ratio of around 241 people per approval highlights the low-density profile of Waratah. Faced with forecasts of a stable or contracting population, Waratah might see reduced pressure on housing, which could present advantageous conditions for home buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Waratah
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 2 current infrastructure and development projects inside Waratah, worth an estimated $26 million. A further 41 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $1.77 billion. 11 are already under construction and 6 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
Changes to local infrastructure, major developments, and planning programs can significantly affect regional performance. AreaSearch has tracked 16 projects likely to influence the local area. Principal projects include the Boat Harbour Beach Master Plan, the Wynyard Affordable Housing Development, the Bass Highway Cooee to Wynyard Upgrades, and the Cooee to Wynyard Coastal Pathway, with details provided below for those of highest relevance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Boat Harbour Beach Master Plan
Foreshore renewal led by Waratah-Wynyard Council including a new surf life saving club community building, cafe, landscaped public spaces, nature-inspired playground, and upgraded parking. Main construction is nearing completion with an official opening expected in September 2026.
Boat Harbour Beach Master Plan
Major foreshore renewal project delivering a new Surf Life Saving Club and community building with cafe, upgraded public amenities, new roads and parking, accessible pathways, landscaping, playgrounds, recreation spaces and improved beach access. Construction is well advanced with the new facility nearing completion and staged landscaping, demolition of the old building and official opening scheduled through 2026.
Wynyard Affordable Housing Development
Development of 47 energy-efficient affordable and social rental homes featuring single and double-storey units in Wynyard, Tasmania. Funded under Round 1 of the Housing Australia Future Fund and delivered by Housing Choices Tasmania in partnership with Homes Tasmania.
Cooee to Wynyard Coastal Pathway
A 13.2 km shared pedestrian and bicycle pathway along Tasmania's north-west coast between Cooee (Burnie) and Wynyard. Works included seven erosion-control rock revetments, penguin fencing upgrades, bridge safety works and integration of existing sections. Officially opened on 24 October 2024.
Bass Highway Cooee to Wynyard Upgrades
Priority works to realign and upgrade an approximate 3.2 kilometre stretch of the Bass Highway from Somerset to Wynyard, including the construction of two overtaking lanes, a central median safety barrier and enhanced lane markings along this section of the highway to improve road safety and traffic congestion.
East Wynyard Foreshore Master Plan
The Master Plan sets a clear vision for the future management and beautification of the East Wynyard Foreshore reserve, addressing opportunities and challenges over a five-year period. It focuses on safe access and circulation, events and markets, nature relaxation and design, and active recreation. Key actions include pathway widening, boardwalk renewal, parking redevelopment, exercise equipment replacement, and sensory garden construction.
Martin Street Subdivision
Staged subdivision to develop 30 new homes near Camp Creek, with minimal impact on road safety. The development includes one lot with six two-bedroom homes and another lot with 24 homes having two or more bedrooms. Estimated cost $9 million.
Bowick Street Subdivision
A residential subdivision developed by Homes Tasmania, providing 36 affordable housing lots ranging from 455m2 to 1430m2, located near the town centre, golf course, and beach in Wynyard. Lots were released for sale starting in 2022, with final stages selling as of 2025.
1,929 residents of Waratah are employed, from a labour force of 2,008. Unemployment sits at 3.9%, with participation at 60.3%. 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 3,581, about 90% 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
Waratah features a skilled workforce with a strong presence in industrial and manufacturing sectors, an unemployment rate of just 3.9%, and an estimated annual job growth of 3.3%. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 1,929, matching the 3.9% unemployment rate of Regional Tas., while labor force participation aligned closely with the 58.8% recorded in Regional Tas. Census data shows that a minor 13.5% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. The primary employment sectors for local residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and education & training.
The region displays a strong concentration in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with its share of employment reaching 1.8 times the regional average. Conversely, accommodation & food services accounts for only 5.1% of local employment, compared to 7.7% in Regional Tas. Based on the ratio of Census working population to resident population, the local area appears to provide a limited number of job opportunities. Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics, the year ending March 2026 saw employment levels rise by 3.3% and the labor force expand by 3.2%, which kept the unemployment rate steady. In comparison, Regional Tas. experienced a 1.8% rise in employment, a 1.7% expansion in the labor force, and a slight decline in unemployment. National employment projections released in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context on future labor demand in Waratah. These five-year and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future trends. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary widely across different industries. Applying these industry projections to the local employment mix in Waratah indicates that local employment is poised to rise by 5.6% over five years and 12.3% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Waratah is $1,329 a week (about $69,000 a year), with median personal income at $621 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $49,599 a year against an average of $59,150. 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
Taxpayer data from the ATO at the postcode level, compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, shows a median taxpayer income of $49,599 and an average of $59,150 in the Waratah SA2. These figures sit below the national averages, and compare to a median of $49,689 and an average of $59,358 in Regional Tas. Adjusting for a 10.95% growth in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 would be approximately $55,030 for the median and $65,627 for the average. Census statistics show that household, family, and personal incomes in Waratah are positioned between the 14th and 22nd percentiles nationwide.
In terms of earnings brackets, 31.8% of the population (1,269 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which is similar to the wider region where 28.5% are in this category. Although housing expenses are low with residents keeping 89.2% of their income, total disposable income sits at the 29th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Waratah had 1,429 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 100% detached houses and 0% apartments. 40% are owned with a mortgage, 14% rented and 46% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,170 a month. Rent absorbs 18.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the housing stock in Waratah was comprised of 99.6% houses and 0.4% other dwelling types like semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative structures, compared to 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings in Regional Tas. Home ownership rates in Waratah were higher than in Regional Tas. at 45.9%, while the remaining homes were either mortgaged (40.2%) or rented (13.9%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,170 was lower than the Regional Tas. average, while the median weekly rent was $250, compared to Regional Tas. figures of $1,274 and $250.
Nationally, mortgage costs in Waratah are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Waratah counted 1,429 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.5 people each. 28% are couples with children, against 36% couples without children. 24% 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 the majority of households at 73.5%, consisting of 28.4% couples with children, 35.6% couples without children, and 9.0% single parent households. The remaining 26.5% are non-family households, which include lone person households at 24.4% and group households at 2.3%. The median household size of 2.5 residents is larger than the average of 2.3 recorded in Regional Tas.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
18.8% of adults in Waratah hold a university qualification, including 13.0% with a bachelor degree and 3.0% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 75% of areas nationally. A further 32.5% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 387 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 929 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
The region exhibits lower educational attainment levels, with university completion rates at 18.8% compared to the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for targeted educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 13.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees (3.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational qualifications are highly prevalent, with 42.7% of residents aged 15+ holding trade or technical credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.2%) and certificates (32.5%). Enrolment in education is quite high, with 27.9% of the population participating in formal study. This comprises 12.2% in primary schools, 8.2% in secondary schools, and 2.5% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Waratah means driving: households keep an average of 2.0 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
65.4% of residents in Waratah report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 78% of areas nationally. 5.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 2.9 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 in Waratah demonstrate positive outcomes, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic disease frequency, which showed a low rate of common conditions across all age cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is low, held by approximately 48% of the population (~1,932 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent diagnosed conditions in the community, affecting 9.7% and 8.7% of residents, respectively. Meanwhile, 65.4% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 62.0% in Regional Tas. The working-age population exhibits some health challenges with higher rates of chronic conditions.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 23.1% of the population (922 people), which is below the 24.9% average for Regional Tas. Senior health outcomes are strong, with national rankings aligning closely with the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Waratah is largely Australian-born, at 87.5% of residents, with 2.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (33.4%) and English (32.6%). 5.5% 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 Waratah is lower than average, with citizens representing 89.7% of the population, 87.5% born in Australia, and 97.4% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religious affiliation, representing 37.4% of residents. The most notable statistical variance is in the Other category, which accounts for 0.8% of the population compared to 0.7% in Regional Tas. Regarding ancestry, the most common backgrounds reported in Waratah are Australian at 33.4%, English at 32.6%, and Scottish at 8.4%. There are also distinct concentrations of other backgrounds: Australian Aboriginal residents represent 5.5% of the population (compared to 4.1% in the wider region), Dutch ancestry is at 1.7% (matching the regional 1.7%), and Hungarian ancestry is at 0.3% (compared to 0.1% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Waratah is 46, older than 81% of areas nationally. 18.1% 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 of 46 years in Waratah is similar to the Regional Tas. median of 45, and sits above the Australian median of 38. The age distribution shows a high proportion of 55 - 64 year-olds (18.7%), while the 25 - 34 bracket is smaller (7.7%) than in Regional Tas. The concentration of 55 - 64 year-olds is higher than the national figure of 11.2%. Post-2021 Census estimates indicate that the 75 to 84 age cohort has increased from 5.2% to 7.7% of the population, and the 55 to 64 group has risen from 16.7% to 18.7%.
In contrast, the 45 to 54 group fell from 15.2% to 12.2% and the 25 to 34 cohort declined from 9.6% to 7.7%. Demographic modeling indicates substantial shifts in the age structure by 2041. The 75 to 84 cohort is projected to expand by 68 people (22%) from 305 to 374. Seniors aged 65+ are expected to account for 100% of population growth, highlighting the aging trend, while the 45 to 54 and 0 to 4 age brackets are projected to decrease in size.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Waratah
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, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jun 2026 2 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 Jun 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 — 100 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,843 at the 2021 Census → 3,992 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 (604031096). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.