Sheffield (Tas.)

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Analyzing population updates from the ABS for the surrounding region alongside new addresses validated by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Sheffield is estimated to have a population of approximately 1,660 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 58 people (3.6%) from the 2021 Census, when the recorded population was 1,602 people. This shift is derived from an estimated resident population of 1,652 calculated by Districts using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) in combination with an additional 37 validated new addresses since the Census. Such a population count results in a density ratio of 27 persons per square kilometer, indicating a setting with substantial space per inhabitant. The 3.6% growth rate of the suburb of Sheffield since the census is within 0.2 percentage points of the broader SA4 region (3.8%), showing competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this demographic expansion, accounting for roughly 96.0% of the overall population gains in recent times.

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Sheffield has a diverse labor market characterized by a mix of blue and white collar workers across various sectors, an unemployment rate of 5.3%, and estimated annual jobs growth of 2.3%. As of March 2026677 local residents are employed, though the unemployment rate stands 1.4% higher than the Regional Tas. rate of 3.9%, and the participation rate of 48.6% is significantly lower than the regional average of 58.8%. Census data indicates that 14.3% of workers performed their duties from home, though this figure was likely influenced by Covid-19 restrictions.

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According to the latest ATO postcode-level statistics for financial year 2023, local incomes in Sheffield are below national averages, with a median of $37,344 and an average of $42,914. This is lower than the median of $49,689 and average of $59,358 recorded across Regional Tas. Factoring in a Wage Price Index increase of 10.95% since financial year 2023, updated estimates for March 2026 would stand at roughly $41,433 for the median and $47,613 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes in Sheffield all ranked between the 2nd and 4th percentiles nationally. The largest income bracket contains 31.3% of local residents (519 people) earning between $400 - 799, whereas the regional trend peaks in the - range with of the population. A high proportion of households, specifically , earn under weekly, which highlights financial strain for many. Even though housing expenses are relatively low, leaving residents with of their income, total disposable income sits in the bottom th percentile nationwide.

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At the time of the latest Census, the housing mix in Sheffield was comprised of 92.4% separate houses and 7.6% alternative housing types (including apartments, semi-detached, and other styles), compared to 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings in Regional Tas. Outright home ownership was high at 50.0%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (26.2%) or renters (23.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,000 was below the Regional Tas. average of $1,274, and the median weekly rent of $200 was below the regional figure of $250. These housing costs are also lower than the national averages, where median mortgage repayments are $1,863 and weekly rents are $375.

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Family households represent 65.8% of the local area, consisting of 19.2% couples with children, 36.4% couples without children, and 8.8% single parent households. The remaining 34.2% of the community consists of non-family households, which includes lone person households at 31.8% and group households at 2.0%. The median household size of 2.1 people is slightly lower than the average of 2.3 seen across Regional Tas.

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Educational attainment in the area is lower than average, with university degree holders making up 14.5% of the population, which is below the national figure of 30.4%. Among those with higher education, bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.7% and graduate diplomas at 2.4%. Vocational and technical qualifications are common, with 37.5% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (8.2%) and certificates (29.3%).

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Local health statistics compiled by Districts indicate notable challenges, specifically relating to mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic health issues across different age groups. The rate of private health insurance is low, with approximately 44% of the population (~733 people) covered, compared to 49.1% in Regional Tas. and a national average of 55.7%.

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Cultural diversity metrics show the area ranks below national averages, with citizenship at 87.9%, Australian-born residents at 85.4%, and 96.6% of the population speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 44.0% of the population. A notable statistical outlier is Judaism, which records no residents in the area, compared to 0.1% in Regional Tas.

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The median age of 54 years in Sheffield is higher than the Regional Tas. average of 45 years and the national median of 38 years. The 75 - 84 age bracket is highly represented at 13.1%, whereas the 25 - 34 cohort is lower at 8.1%. The proportion of residents in the 75 - 84 bracket exceeds the national rate of 6.1%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 10.8% to 13.1%, and the 35 to 44 cohort has risen from 8.1% to 9.5%. In contrast, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from to , and the to bracket decreased from to . Looking forward to age structure forecasts show significant changes, with the to bracket projected to expand by (adding people to reach a total of ). This aging trend is highlighted by the fact that residents aged and older represent of the projected growth, while population decreases are expected in both the to and to cohorts.

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Sheffield currently has an estimated 51 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 40 children aged 0-2 and 27 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 2% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 0% by 2041 (to approximately 51 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 134. Birth rates in the area have averaged 7.4 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.