Bridgewater (Tas.)

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Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by Districts since the Census the suburb of Bridgewater (Tas.)'s population is estimated at around 5,066 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 474 people (10.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,592 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 5,062, estimated by Districts following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and an additional 188 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 293 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development. The suburb of Bridgewater (Tas.)'s 10.3% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (3.9%), along with the Greater Hobart, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth that contributed approximately of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and overseas migration were positive factors.

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Data consolidated from local statistical units by Districts indicates that Bridgewater maintains a balanced labor market split between white-collar and blue-collar roles, with a diverse mix of industries, an unemployment rate of 18.9%, and a 1.3% growth in total jobs over the past year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 1,664, while the unemployment rate was 14.5% higher than the 4.4% recorded in Greater Hobart, highlighting potential for labor market improvement as workforce participation (53.1%) remains well behind the metropolitan rate of 63.8%. According to Census records, a minor 3.0% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure was likely influenced by COVID-19 containment measures.

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The most recent postcode-level data from the ATO for the 2023 financial year shows that incomes in Bridgewater are below the national average, with a median of $48,014 and an average of $52,817. In comparison, Greater Hobart recorded a median income of $54,577 and an average of $65,190. Applying the Wage Price Index growth of 10.95% recorded since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would stand at approximately $53,272 for the median and $58,600 for the average as of March 2026. Census statistics show that household, family, and personal incomes in the suburb all sit between the 2nd and 4th percentiles nationally. The largest income group is the $400 - 799 weekly range, accounting for 32.5% of the population (1,646 people), which contrasts with the broader metropolitan area where the - bracket is the largest at . The high proportion of lower-income residents, with earning under weekly, highlights tight household finances throughout the area. Housing cost pressures are highly pronounced, leaving residents with just of their income after housing costs, which ranks in the rd percentile.

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According to the most recent Census, the housing stock in Bridgewater consisted of 88.4% detached houses and 11.6% other dwelling types, such as townhouses and apartments, compared to 85.3% houses and 14.7% other dwellings across metropolitan Hobart. Home ownership in the area stood at 20.0%, which is lower than the metropolitan average, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (23.0%) or renting households (56.9%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,083, which is lower than the Hobart metropolitan average of $1,517, while the median weekly rent was $260, compared to $350 in the wider metro area. On a national level, Bridgewater's median mortgage payments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are lower than the national figure of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 68.5%, consisting of couples with children at 20.5%, couples without children at 17.0%, and single-parent households at 29.2%. The remaining 31.5% are non-family households, which include single-person households at 28.2% and group shared homes at 3.6%. The median household size of 2.5 residents is slightly higher than the Greater Hobart average of 2.4.

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The suburb faces notable educational hurdles, as the proportion of residents with a university qualification (7.8%) is lower than the SA4 regional average of 32.8%. This gap highlights a key area for targeted educational programs. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 5.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.0% and graduate diplomas at 0.6%. Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 35.1% of residents aged 15 and over holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 5.0% and certificates at 30.1%.

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Public transport infrastructure in the area consists of 41 active stops, served by bus networks. These stops accommodate 104 different routes that together deliver 8,187 passenger trips each week. Transport access is highly rated, with residents living an average of 182 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the residential character of the suburb, most workers travel outside the area for employment, with private vehicles being the primary mode of travel for 90% of commuters, while 6% travel by bus. Dwellings have an average of 1.2 vehicles, which is lower than the regional average. A small proportion of the workforce (3.0%) worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which was likely shaped by pandemic restrictions.

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Data from Districts regarding mortality and chronic illness rates points to significant health challenges in Bridgewater, with various conditions affecting both older and younger age brackets. Private health insurance uptake is low, covering approximately 48% of the population, which equates to about 2,437 residents. This is lower than the 51.7% coverage rate in Greater Hobart and the national average of 55.7%.

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Cultural diversity indicators in Bridgewater are lower than average, with citizens representing 87.3% of the population, 93.3% of residents born in Australia, and 95.6% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 38.1% of the population. The most pronounced religious overrepresentation relative to the metropolitan area is Islam, which accounts for 1.5% of the local population compared to 1.3% across Greater Hobart.

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Bridgewater has a median age of 31, making it younger than Greater Hobart, where the median is 39, and the national median of 38. Compared to Greater Hobart, the suburb has a larger share of residents aged 5 - 14 (16.2%) but a smaller share of people aged 35 - 44 (11.1%). Since the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age bracket has risen from 14.9% to 16.2% of the population. In contrast, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 11.2% to 9.5%, and the 5 to 14 group decreased from 17.3% to 16.2%. Projections for suggest changing demographics in Bridgewater, with the to age group expected to show the largest increase of (adding residents to reach ), while the to group is projected to grow by (an increase of people).

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Bridgewater currently has an estimated 364 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 227 children aged 0-2 and 151 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 6% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 18% by 2041 (to approximately 430 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 682. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 14.7 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. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.