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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.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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West Moonah has an estimated 4,240 residents, down from 4,398 at the 2021 Census — a change of 158 people, or 3.6%. The population has thinned by an average 0.9% a year over five years, slower than 98% of areas nationally. That puts 2,369 residents on each square kilometre. 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 evaluations by AreaSearch, the population of West Moonah stands at approximately 4,240 in May 2026. This indicates a drop of 158 residents (3.6%) from the 4,398 individuals documented during the 2021 Census. The projection is derived using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 4,227 along with 43 validated new addresses confirmed since the Census. With a density of 2,368 persons per square kilometer, the locality ranks in the top quartile of Australian regions analyzed. Overseas migration was the primary driver of growth, accounting for roughly 54.0% of the recent population additions.
Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, are utilized for each SA2. In instances where these are unavailable, or to calculate growth by age cohort after 2032, regional and LGA projections from the Tasmania State Government released in 2022 with a 2021 baseline are applied, adjusted using a weighted aggregation method of population growth from the LGA to the SA2 level. Based on expected shifts in demographics, population gains are anticipated to track slightly under the national median, with the locality projected to add 404 residents by 2041 relative to the most recent annual ERP statistics, which represents a total increase of 9.2% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
39 new dwellings have been approved in West Moonah over the past five years, an average of 7 a year. That is 1.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 15, running ahead of 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
West Moonah has recorded an average of roughly 7 new home approvals annually, translating to 39 residential properties over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 14 approvals have been logged. Because the local population has been declining, the housing supply has sufficed to meet demand, fostering a balanced market environment with ample options for buyers, while new builds average a construction cost of $305,000. Non-residential development approvals have reached $4.7 million during this financial year, highlighting the predominantly residential character of the neighborhood. Building activity in West Moonah is significantly subdued compared to Greater Hobart, sitting 60.0% below the regional average per capita.
This limited addition of new housing stock generally bolsters demand and valuations for established properties. The rate of construction also falls below the national average, reflecting a mature suburb that may be facing planning constraints. Furthermore, all new approvals consist of detached dwellings, maintaining the suburban profile of the community and attracting buyers looking for extra space. Developers are opting for traditional houses at a higher rate than the existing mix recorded in the Census (80.0%), pointing to sustained interest in family accommodation. The ratio of approximately 779 people per residential approval underscores the mature state of this market. Future forecasts indicate that West Moonah will add 391 residents by 2041, based on the most recent quarterly projections from AreaSearch. If building activity remains at its current pace, housing additions may not keep up with population expansion, which is likely to heighten competition among buyers and support upward pressure on prices.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around West Moonah
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside West Moonah, worth an estimated $23 million. A further 60 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $7.26 billion. 22 are already under construction and 19 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and sports & recreation. 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, planning initiatives, and development policies significantly influence regional trends. AreaSearch has identified 8 key projects expected to impact the local area. Significant projects include upgrades to TasWater infrastructure, the Greater Glenorchy Plan, road renewals on Ashbourne Grove, and Salvation Army community housing on Hopkins Street, with the detailed list below outlining those of primary relevance.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
TasWater Moonah Infrastructure Upgrades
TasWater is undertaking essential water and wastewater infrastructure upgrade works across the Moonah network and surrounding facilities. The project enhances service reliability, renews aging pipeline assets, and supports regional population and urban development demands across Greater Hobart.
Royal Hobart Showgrounds Redevelopment (Wilkinsons Point Precinct)
A comprehensive transformation of the 12.7-hectare Royal Hobart Showgrounds. Stage 1 involves a $50 million investment in a new pavilion, 1,500-seat theatre, auditoriums, an arena, and a plaza for 100 market stalls. The broader masterplan includes a $300 million vision to deliver 450 new homes, featuring 150 social and affordable units. The precinct will serve as a modern community hub and emergency centre while remaining the permanent home of the Royal Hobart Show. Main works construction commenced in early 2026 following the demolition of legacy structures.
Salvation Army Hopkins Street Community Housing
21-unit community housing development specifically for women over 55 years old. Three-storey complex with one and two-bedroom apartments, accessible units, communal gardens, and Salvation Army community office. Designed by Xsquared Architects and jointly funded by Salvation Army, Housing Tasmania and The Select Foundation.
Medical Centre Redevelopment - Cadbury Road (Claremont)
Proposed redevelopment and expansion of the Claremont Medical Centre to provide additional consulting rooms, specialist medical services and improved patient facilities for the growing Claremont community. No evidence was found that the project has progressed beyond the planning stage.
Ashbourne Grove Road Renewal
Road surface renewal and infrastructure improvements along Ashbourne Grove. Project includes new drainage, kerbing, footpath upgrades and utility infrastructure replacement.
Hobart Heritage Rail Project
Volunteer-led project by the Tasmanian Transport Museum to progressively restore and operate the former TasRail suburban railway between Glenorchy and Granton. Heritage passenger services commenced between Elwick Road and Grove Road in 2023 and were extended to Berriedale Road in December 2025 following rail safety accreditation. Future works include level crossing upgrades, extension to Mentmore Street and ultimately Granton, subject to funding and approvals.
Hobart City High School Redevelopment
Completed redevelopment of Hobart City High School's New Town campus delivering a new learning and social heart, flexible learning spaces, upgraded science and art facilities, refurbished outdoor areas and improved student amenities. The project was delivered as part of the Tasmanian Government's education infrastructure program.
Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor (NSTC)
A transformative urban renewal and transport initiative under the Hobart City Deal focused on the 4km corridor between Glenorchy and New Town. The project aims to activate a disused rail corridor for a high-frequency Rapid Bus Transit (RBT) network while stimulating medium-density housing and mixed-use development. As of early 2026, the project is a priority for federal funding following the submission of a comprehensive 368-page Strategic Business Case. It seeks to integrate land-use planning with sustainable transport to improve housing affordability and reduce congestion in Hobart's northern suburbs.
2,374 residents of West Moonah are employed, from a labour force of 2,491. Unemployment sits at 4.7%, with participation at 69.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,108, about 73% 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
West Moonah has a highly educated labor force with a strong presence in essential services, showing an unemployment rate of 4.7% and stable employment conditions over the past year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 2,374, while the local unemployment rate was 0.3% higher than the 4.4% recorded across Greater Hobart. Participation in the workforce was high at 69.2%, compared to the Greater Hobart average of 63.8%. According to Census data, only 5.9% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure was likely influenced by COVID-19 restrictions. The major sectors of employment for local residents are health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade.
The region exhibits a distinct concentration in accommodation & food, with employment levels 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, construction accounts for only 5.7% of the local workforce, which is below the 8.7% average for Greater Hobart. The mismatch between the Census working population and the resident population suggests that local employment opportunities are limited in this predominantly residential suburb. Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics, the workforce expanded by 0.2% while employment fell by 0.2% over the 12-month period, leading to a 0.4 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Greater Hobart saw a 0.1% decrease in employment, a 0.2% increase in the labor force, and a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia released in May-25 offer additional context on future demand trends in West Moonah. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to project growth. Nationally, employment is expected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sectors will experience different growth rates. Extrapolating these national industry trends to the employment profile of West Moonah suggests local jobs will grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, though this simple weighting calculation does not incorporate local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in West Moonah is $1,494 a week (about $78,000 a year), with median personal income at $726 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $53,205 a year against an average of $58,045. 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
According to AreaSearch's compilation of the latest postcode-level ATO statistics released for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the West Moonah SA2 recorded a median income of $53,205 and an average income of $58,045. These metrics are below national averages and compare to $54,577 (median) and $65,190 (average) across Greater Hobart. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.95% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would be roughly $59,031 for the median and $64,401 for the average in March 2026. Census data from 2021 indicates household, family, and individual incomes are modest in West Moonah, placing between the 33rd and 35th percentiles.
Specifically, 34.3% of the population (1,454 residents) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, which is close to the 32.2% seen in the broader region. Housing costs present a significant challenge, leaving residents with only 83.9% of their income, which ranks in the 35th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
West Moonah had 1,679 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 80% detached houses and 12% apartments. 30% are owned with a mortgage, 42% rented and 28% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $340 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,430 a month. Rent absorbs 22.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The Census data indicates that the housing composition in West Moonah consists of 80.0% houses and 20.0% alternative dwellings like townhouses and apartments, compared to 85.3% houses and 14.7% other dwellings in metro Hobart. Home ownership in West Moonah stands at 28.3%, trailing the metro Hobart average, with remaining households paying a mortgage (30.0%) or renting (41.7%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,430 was below the metro Hobart average of $1,517, while the median weekly rent of $340 was slightly lower than the metro average of $350. Nationally, mortgage payments in West Moonah are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
West Moonah counted 1,679 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.6 people each. 28% are couples with children, against 24% couples without children. 28% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.4 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households represent the largest segment at 65.9% of the total, which includes 27.8% couples with children, 24.2% couples without children, and 12.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for 34.1% of the area, with single-person households at 27.6% and group households at 6.2%. The median household size of 2.6 people is larger than the Greater Hobart average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
35.3% of adults in West Moonah hold a university qualification, including 20.8% with a bachelor degree and 11.8% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 20.9% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 421 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 946 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 level of education in West Moonah is high, with 35.3% of residents aged 15+ holding a tertiary degree, compared to 23.3% in the SA3 region and 25.5% across TAS. This educational profile positions the suburb well for professional opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 20.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 11.8% and graduate diplomas at 2.7%. Vocational education is also common, with 28.6% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, including advanced diplomas at 7.7% and certificates at 20.9%. Participation in education is high in the area, with 30.1% of residents enrolled in some form of study.
This includes 9.4% of the population in primary school, 5.9% in secondary school, and 5.5% in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in West Moonah reaches 24 stops on 57 routes, timetabled for about 3,600 services a week. The typical home sits about 180 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.3 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport data shows 24 active stops within West Moonah, serviced by bus routes. These stops accommodate 57 routes, providing a total of 3,582 passenger trips per week. Transport accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 182 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and most workers commute to other areas, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 84%, followed by bus transit at 11%. Households own an average of 1.3 vehicles. A relatively low 5.9% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.
Service frequency across all routes averages 511 trips daily, which equates to roughly 149 weekly trips for each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.5% of residents in West Moonah report no long-term health condition. 5.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.7 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 West Moonah show positive results, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and the prevalence of chronic illnesses. The occurrence of standard health issues is low within the general population and matches the national average for older, high-risk groups. Private health insurance coverage is low, with approximately 48% of residents (~2,043 people) holding policies, compared to 51.7% in Greater Hobart and a national average of 55.7%. Mental health conditions and arthritis are the most common medical issues, affecting 10.8% and 7.4% of residents, respectively. A total of 70.5% of the population reported no chronic medical issues, compared to 65.5% in Greater Hobart.
Working-age residents experience higher-than-average rates of chronic conditions. Residents aged 65 and older represent 16.0% of the population (679 people), which is lower than the 20.0% average for Greater Hobart. Seniors in the area exhibit above-average health outcomes, though they rank lower nationally than the rest of the local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
32.1% of West Moonah residents were born overseas and 31.1% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (25.0%) and Australian (23.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
West Moonah displays higher cultural diversity than most comparable markets, with 32.1% of residents born outside Australia and 31.1% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 37.3% of the community. There is a distinct concentration of Hindu residents at 10.5% of the population, which is higher than the Greater Hobart average of 2.8%. Regarding family ancestry, English heritage is the most common at 25.0% of the population, which is lower than the regional average of 31.8%. Australian ancestry follows at 23.4%, and other ancestral backgrounds account for 16.2%, which is higher than the regional average of 7.4%.
Specific ethnic groups also show higher local representation compared to the region, including Polish ancestry at 1.8% (versus 0.8% regionally), Croatian at 0.9% (versus 0.2%), and Indian at 3.3% (versus 1.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of West Moonah is 34, younger than 84% of areas nationally. 30.1% 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 in West Moonah is 34 years, which is younger than the Greater Hobart average of 39 and the national median of 38. Compared to Greater Hobart, West Moonah has a higher proportion of residents aged 35 - 44 (19.5%) but a smaller share of those aged 55 - 64 (8.7%). The concentration of 35 - 44 year-olds is also higher than the national average of 14.3%. Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age cohort has grown from 15.0% to 19.5% of the population, and the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 4.1% to 5.6%.
Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 group has decreased from 11.9% to 9.9%, and the 5 to 14 cohort has dropped from 10.6% to 8.8%. Demographic projections suggest the age profile of West Moonah will shift by 2041. The 45 to 54 cohort is expected to grow by 92%, adding 417 residents to reach a total of 873, while the 55 to 64 and 25 to 34 cohorts are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for West Moonah
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 | Aug 2026 this month all 3 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 Aug 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 — 43 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (4,398 at the 2021 Census → 4,240 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 (601031021). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.