West Hobart (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 West Hobart's population is estimated at around 6,452 as of May 2026. This reflects a decrease of 73 people (1.1%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,525 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 6,452, estimated by Districts following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and an additional 9 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,589 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by Districts. While West Hobart experienced a 1.1% decline since census, the SA3 area achieved 1.8% growth, highlighting divergent population trends. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 86.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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The local workforce exhibits high levels of education, with considerable representation in essential service industries, a jobless rate of only 2.3%, and consistent employment numbers over the preceding year. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 3,887, with the unemployment rate remaining 2.1% lower than the Greater Hobart level of 4.4%. Workforce participation is unusually strong, standing at 70.1% compared to 63.8% for Greater Hobart. According to census data, a modest 12.6% of residents worked from their homes, though pandemic-related lockdown measures during that period should be taken into account.

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Postcode-level ATO data compiled for the 2023 financial year indicates that taxpayers in the suburb of West Hobart recorded a median income of $53,747 and an average income of $72,942. These figures exceed the national benchmark and compare to $54,577 (median) and $65,190 (average) across Greater Hobart. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.95% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to approximately $59,632 (median) and $80,929 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census places household, family, and individual earnings in the 71st percentile nationally. The most significant earnings cohort consists of 31.0% of taxpayers earning between $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (representing 2,000 residents), which matches the broader region where this group forms of the total. After housing costs are met, of income is available for other purchases, placing the neighborhood in the th decile of the SEIFA income index.

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Residential architecture in the suburb of West Hobart at the time of the latest Census consisted of 76.1% houses and 23.8% alternative properties including townhouses, apartments, and other housing types, compared to 85.3% houses and 14.7% alternative properties in metropolitan Hobart. Home ownership rates were equivalent to the metropolitan average at 35.1%, with the remaining properties divided between mortgaged homes at 30.0% and rental properties at 34.9%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,950 was notably higher than the metropolitan average of $1,517, while the median weekly rent stood at $400 compared to the metropolitan figure of $350. Nationally, local mortgage commitments exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and rent levels surpass the national baseline of $375.

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Families make up 62.2% of local households, consisting of 24.6% couples raising children, 28.1% couples without children, and 8.5% single-parent arrangements. The remaining 37.8% are non-family households, with single-person households representing 28.8% of the total and group living arrangements accounting for 8.8%. The median household size of 2.3 individuals is slightly below the Greater Hobart average of 2.4.

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Educational qualification levels in the suburb of West Hobart are well above wider averages, with 55.3% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 25.5% in TAS and 30.4% across Australia. This concentration of advanced learning positions the local workforce well for knowledge-driven sectors. Bachelor degrees represent the most common credential at 31.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 17.7% and graduate diplomas at 5.8%. Vocational credentials are held by 20.2% of residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.7% and certificates at 11.5%.

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Public transport infrastructure consists of 26 active transit stops within the suburb of West Hobart, served by a network of buses. These stops accommodate 74 separate routes, which combine to support 7,725 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility is high, with the average home situated 198 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the residential character of the neighborhood, the majority of working residents travel outside the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 59%, followed by walking at 30% and cycling at 4%. Registered vehicles average 1.1 per household, below the regional average. A relatively low 12.6% of residents worked from home, according to 2021 Census data collected under pandemic conditions.

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Evaluation of regional health metrics demonstrates favorable outcomes in the suburb of West Hobart, based on analyses of mortality and chronic illness rates, with low incidence of common health issues across all demographics. Private health insurance coverage is exceptionally common, held by approximately 56% of the population (~3,617 people), compared to 51.7% in Greater Hobart.

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The suburb of West Hobart exhibits a diverse demographic profile, with 23.6% of residents born outside Australia and 14.4% using a language other than English in their homes. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 26.5% of the population. The most prominent religious variance is seen in Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of residents compared to 0.1% across Greater Hobart.

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The median age in the suburb of West Hobart is 38, matching the national figure of 38 and closely aligning with the Greater Hobart median of 39. In comparison to Greater Hobart, the 25 - 34 cohort is highly represented at 17.9% locally, while children aged 5 - 14 are less common at 8.7%. Since 2021, the 35 to 44 age cohort increased from 12.1% to 14.6% of the population, and the 75 to 84 cohort rose from 4.6% to 6.1%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 13.9% to 12.3%, and the 25 to demographic decreased from to . Projections indicate the age structure will change by with the to group expected to grow by people () from to while the to and to demographics are projected to contract.

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West Hobart currently has an estimated 219 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 129 children aged 0-2 and 87 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 16% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 5% by 2041 (to approximately 229 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 449. Birth rates in the area have averaged 6.3 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.