Bicheno
A vacancy rate of 50.7% is the defining number in Bicheno, reflecting a holiday-oriented housing market where most dwellings sit empty between visits. Population sits at just 1,049 across 114.83 square kilometres, with a median age of 54, which is 14 years above the national median. Household income ranks in the 13.9th percentile nationally, well below average, yet 52.6% of residents own their home outright, a tenure structure typical of retirement-age communities that have paid off mortgages over decades. Hospitality employs 23.2% of local workers, the dominant industry, confirming the town's economic dependency on tourism along Tasmania's east coast.
Population
1,049
Median Age
54.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,030/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median house price data is not available in the current dataset for Bicheno, but the monthly mortgage figure of $1,280 gives a practical cost reference, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 28.7%, below the 30% stress threshold. Owner-occupier tenure is the majority position: 52.6% own outright and 23.0% carry a mortgage, compared to just 24.4% renting. The housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 95.5%, with apartments at only 2.0%, so buyers face limited dwelling-type choice. Three-bedroom homes account for 44.9% of stock and four-plus bedroom homes 21.5%, which suits families or buyers seeking holiday-let potential. The high outright ownership rate suggests long-term holders dominate the market, keeping supply constrained.
For Buyers
Median house price data is not available in the current dataset for Bicheno, but the monthly mortgage figure of $1,280 gives a practical cost reference, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 28.7%, below the 30% stress threshold. Owner-occupier tenure is the majority position: 52.6% own outright and 23.0% carry a mortgage, compared to just 24.4% renting. The housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 95.5%, with apartments at only 2.0%, so buyers face limited dwelling-type choice. Three-bedroom homes account for 44.9% of stock and four-plus bedroom homes 21.5%, which suits families or buyers seeking holiday-let potential. The high outright ownership rate suggests long-term holders dominate the market, keeping supply constrained.
For Investors
Bicheno's 50.7% vacancy rate is exceptionally high compared to typical residential markets, reflecting holiday accommodation patterns rather than structural tenant demand, so the standard buy-to-let model requires caution. Weekly rent of $250 is below the state average for Tasmania. Only 24.4% of dwellings are occupied by renters, giving a thin permanent tenant pool. Population growth runs at 1.24% annually, adding roughly 13 residents per year to a base of 1,049, with net internal migration of 52 per year providing the primary inflow. The gentrification score of 28 signals early-stage change, with population up 21% since 2011 and an active net migration trend, which may support long-run demand for short-stay accommodation rather than permanent rentals.
Schools in Bicheno iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Bicheno Primary School
K-6 · 102 students
Demographics
Bicheno's median age of 54 is 14 years above the national median, placing it firmly in the top tier of aging suburbs nationally. The senior share grew 8.0 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 3.1 points, deepening the demographic skew. University qualifications reach 30.9%, which is 0.8 percentage points above the national figure. Overseas-born residents account for 19.3%, which is 2.3 points below national. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (466 residents), Irish (115) and Scottish (87). Average household size is 2.0, compared to the national average of 2.5, consistent with the large proportion of couples without children (50.6% of families). Hinduism (34 residents) is the second religion after Christianity (365).
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
95.5%
Houses
1.6%
Townhouse
2.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Owner-occupiers clearly dominate tenure: 52.6% own outright and 23.0% hold a mortgage, while 24.4% rent, a split that skews well above national outright-ownership rates and reflects the older age profile of residents. The monthly mortgage of $1,280 implies a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.7%, below the stress level. Stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 95.5%, with semi-detached at 1.6% and apartments at 2.0%. Three-bedroom dwellings are the modal type at 44.9%, followed by four-plus bedroom at 21.5% and two-bedroom at 25.6%. The outstanding structural fact is the 50.7% vacancy rate, more than double what you find in most residential suburbs, driven by holiday-home ownership patterns rather than a softening rental market.
Mortgage / mo
$1,280
Rent / wk
$250
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$631
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
50.7%
Unoccupied
465
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
50.6%
Couples, no children
712
Total families
Economy & Employment
Hospitality employs 23.2% of local workers, nearly one in four, far above the state average, anchoring Bicheno as a tourism-dependent economy. Agriculture and Education each follow at 9.2%, then Retail at 8.1% and Healthcare at 7.7%. By occupation, Labourers lead (96 workers), ahead of Managers (83) and Professionals (75). The participation rate is 46.3%, significantly below the national rate, because the older population includes 377 residents not in the labour force. Unemployment sits at 4.9%, near the national average. Household income ranks in the 13.9th percentile nationally, placing Bicheno in the lower-income tier, while SEIFA IRSD and IRSAD both score decile 3, confirming above-average relative disadvantage compared to most Australian suburbs.
Unemployment
2.4%
Labour Force
2,283
Unemployed
54
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
53.0%
Part-time
42.1%
Participation
46.3%
Employed
406
Occupations
Top Industries
University
30.9%
Postgraduate
9.7%
Born Overseas
19.3%
Dwellings
442
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high: 75.7% of residents drive to work, above the national norm, while only 1.2% use public transport and 19.3% walk or cycle. The low public transport figure reflects Bicheno's rural coastal geography, where bus connections are limited compared to urban centres. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families rely on schools in nearby towns along the east coast. Crime data is not available in this dataset. The IRSAD decile of 2 places Bicheno in the bottom 20% nationally for relative advantage, meaning the community faces measurable disadvantage across income, education and employment dimensions. Volunteering is notably high at 24.1%, above average nationally, suggesting strong community cohesion despite the disadvantage signals.
Drive
75.7%
Public Transport
1.2%
Walk / Cycle
19.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.24%/yr
(+66 people/yr)
EstablishedBicheno's population grew 19.9% over the decade to reach 1,049 residents, a solid rate for a small coastal town. Annual growth currently tracks at 1.24%, adding roughly 13 people per year. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 reaching around 5,408 by 2027 and 5,672 by 2031, continuing a steady trajectory. Net internal migration averages 52 arrivals per year and overseas migration adds 26, a balanced driver profile. The gentrification score of 28 with the label early signs indicates the suburb is in early transition, supported by the acceleration signal from 1% to 20% growth over the period. Rents grew 42.9% over the measured period, outpacing real income growth of 14.6%, pointing to tightening conditions in the lettable stock.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+26
Net Internal / yr
+52
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +21% since 2011, Net internal migration +52/yr, Accelerating: 1% → 20%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Bicheno compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bicheno a good suburb to live in?
Bicheno suits retirees and lifestyle-seekers rather than working families. The median age of 54 is 14 years above national, 52.6% own outright, and 24.1% volunteer. Income ranks in the 13.9th percentile nationally and public transport is limited at 1.2% usage, so car ownership is essential for daily life.
What is the median house price in Bicheno?
A specific median house price is not available for Bicheno in the current dataset. The monthly mortgage figure of $1,280 is a practical guide, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 28.7%, below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $250, below the typical Tasmanian level.
What schools are in Bicheno?
No schools are recorded inside the Bicheno suburb boundary. Families need to travel to nearby towns for schooling. Despite the absence of local schools, 30.9% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 0.8 points above the national average.
Is Bicheno safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Bicheno in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores IRSD decile 3, below the national midpoint, and 5.8% of residents (57 people) need daily assistance. A volunteering rate of 24.1% suggests a connected community.
Is Bicheno good for property investment?
Bicheno's 50.7% vacancy rate is extremely high compared to most residential markets, driven by holiday-home ownership rather than tenant demand. Weekly rent of $250 is modest and only 24.4% of dwellings are permanently rented. Population grew 19.9% over the decade and rent rose 42.9%, which may support short-stay investment.
How is Bicheno's population changing?
Population grew 19.9% over the past decade to reach 1,049 residents, with annual growth tracking at 1.24%. Net internal migration adds 52 residents per year on average. The profile is aging, with the senior share up 8.0 points and the working-age share down 3.1 points over the decade.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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