Austins Ferry (Tas.)

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Analysis of ABS demographic updates and recently confirmed addresses by Districts since the Census indicates the suburb of Austins Ferry has an estimated population of 2,846 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 451 people (18.8%) from the 2021 Census, when the count stood at 2,395 individuals. This trend is calculated from the local population of 2,830, which Districts calculated using the ABS June 2025 release of ERP figures alongside 110 validated new addresses added post-Census. Such population numbers translate to a density of 1,336 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the average across national areas reviewed by Districts. The 18.8% population expansion in the suburb of Austins Ferry since the 2021 census was greater than the 1.1% recorded in the SA3 area, as well as the SA4 region, establishing it as a regional growth leader. Population increases were primarily driven by interstate relocations, which accounted for roughly 51.0% of the demographic gains, though all sources including overseas arrivals and natural expansion contributed positively.

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The local workforce is split between professional and manual roles, with a solid footprint in essential services, an unemployment rate of 4.1%, and an estimated job growth rate of 1.7% over the prior year, according to Districts data compiled for the statistical area. In March 2026, there were 1,505 employed residents, and the unemployment rate was 0.3% lower than the Greater Hobart level of 4.4%, with participation levels being normal at 65.8% compared to 63.8% in Greater Hobart. According to Census responses, a low 6.2% of workers performed their duties from home, though this may have been influenced by COVID-19 restriction periods.

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Taxpayer income levels in Austins Ferry are below the national average according to ATO data compiled by Districts for the 2023 financial year. The median income of taxpayers in the area is $46,413 and the average income is $50,588, compared to median and average figures of $54,577 and $65,190 in Greater Hobart. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.95% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would translate to roughly $51,495 for the median and $56,127 for the average in March 2026. Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes are all modest in Austins Ferry, placing between the 41st and 42nd percentiles. Regarding income distribution, the largest cohort contains 39.4% of residents (1,121 people) earning in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, mirroring the metropolitan pattern where of the population falls into this category. After housing costs, residents retain of their income for other expenditures.

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Residential structures in Austins Ferry at the time of the latest Census consisted of 96.6% standalone houses and 3.4% other housing types like semi-detached properties, apartments, or alternative dwellings, compared to 85.3% houses and 14.7% other dwellings in metro Hobart. Home ownership rates in Austins Ferry matched the metro Hobart average of 33.3%, with the remaining properties being either mortgaged (46.2%) or rented (20.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was lower than the Hobart metro average at $1,500, while the median weekly rent was $364, compared to metro averages of $1,517 and $350. Nationally, mortgage payments in Austins Ferry are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent costs are below the national average of $375.

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Family households make up the majority of homes at 75.0%, consisting of 30.7% couples with children, 28.0% couples without children, and 14.8% single parent families. The remaining 25.0% are non-family households, including lone person households at 23.3% and group households making up 2.5% of the total. The median household size of 2.6 residents is larger than the Greater Hobart average of 2.4.

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The region presents low rates of higher education, with university qualifications held by 17.3% of the population, which is significantly below the SA4 regional average of 32.8%. This represents a challenge as well as a chance for targeted schooling initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees (4.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational and technical skills are common, with 38.3% of residents aged 15+ holding a trade qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (8.5%) and certificates (29.8%).

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Public transport data shows 16 active transport stops within Austins Ferry, which are serviced by buses. These stops accommodate 79 distinct routes, providing a total of 6,357 weekly passenger journeys. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents living an average of 193 meters from the nearest stop. Since it is a residential area, most workers commute out of the suburb, with cars being the main transport mode at 91% and buses at 7%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.6 per household, which is higher than the regional average. A low 6.2% of residents work from home, based on the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

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Health assessments indicate significant challenges in Austins Ferry, based on Districts analysis of mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic illnesses across both younger and older cohorts, alongside a very low rate of private health insurance coverage at approximately 47% of the population (~1,343 people). This compares to 51.7% in Greater Hobart and a national average of 55.7%.

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Austins Ferry is below the national average for cultural diversity, with 86.6% of residents born in Australia, 92.1% holding citizenship, and 90.4% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, representing 49.8% of the local population. However, the most notable overrepresentation is in the Other category, which accounts for 2.0% of residents compared to 1.1% across Greater Hobart.

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The median age in Austins Ferry is 39 years, which matches the Greater Hobart average of 39 and is close to the Australian median of 38. Compared to the Greater Hobart average, the 45 - 54 age group is over-represented at 13.7% locally, while the 25 - 34 cohort is under-represented at 13.3%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort has expanded from 5.4% to 7.0% of the population, and the 15 to 24 age bracket increased from 12.7% to 13.8%. In contrast, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 11.7% to 9.8%, and the 25 to group fell from to . Demographic projections indicate the age profile of Austins Ferry will change notably by . The to cohort has the highest projected growth at , adding residents to total while the to age group is expected to shrink by individuals.

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Austins Ferry currently has an estimated 162 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 101 children aged 0-2 and 66 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 33% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 7% by 2041 (to approximately 174 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 237. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 13.5 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally.