Hobart
Tasmania's capital centre packs 3,390 residents into just 2.26 km2, generating a density of 1,501 per km2 that far exceeds most Australian CBD-adjacent suburbs. The defining tension is a $1,100,000 median house price against household incomes sitting at only the 45th percentile nationally, a gap that explains why 71.2% of residents rent rather than own. University qualifications reach 56%, which is 25.9 percentage points above the national figure, and 43.6% were born overseas, pointing to a student and professional migrant base that cycles through rather than settles. Apartments account for 63.6% of dwellings, and 55.5% of residents walk or cycle to work, making this one of the most active-transport-oriented postcodes in Australia.
Population
3,390
Median Age
31.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,464/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
20
Median House
$1.1M
YTD 2026
At a $1,100,000 median, buying in Hobart 7000 means competing for a stock that is 63.6% apartments and only 19.1% separate houses. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,848, and mortgage-to-income sits at 29.2%, just below the 30% stress threshold, though that margin is thin given household incomes are at the 45th percentile nationally. Only 12.1% of residents carry a mortgage while 16.7% own outright, unusually low ownership rates that reflect a renter-dominated inner-city market. The CAGR since 1996 is 7.8%, compounding from a $102,000 starting price to a $1,100,000 median today, a 782% gain. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 40.2% and studio or one-bedroom units at 26.5%, so detached-house buyers face limited options at a significant price premium.
For Buyers
At a $1,100,000 median, buying in Hobart 7000 means competing for a stock that is 63.6% apartments and only 19.1% separate houses. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,848, and mortgage-to-income sits at 29.2%, just below the 30% stress threshold, though that margin is thin given household incomes are at the 45th percentile nationally. Only 12.1% of residents carry a mortgage while 16.7% own outright, unusually low ownership rates that reflect a renter-dominated inner-city market. The CAGR since 1996 is 7.8%, compounding from a $102,000 starting price to a $1,100,000 median today, a 782% gain. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 40.2% and studio or one-bedroom units at 26.5%, so detached-house buyers face limited options at a significant price premium.
For Investors
Hobart's 71.2% renter rate is one of the highest you will find in any suburb nationally, driven by a student and transient professional population. Weekly rent of $380 against a $1,100,000 median implies a gross yield around 1.8%, low by yield standards, but the vacancy rate of 17.1% signals genuine oversupply risk in the apartment segment. Overseas migration adds a net 252 residents per year while internal migration drains 187, so demand depends heavily on continued international inflows. Rent grew 43.1% over the decade compared to real income growth of just 2.2%, a divergence that compresses tenant affordability and raises future rent-stress risk. Development activity stands at 11 applications in the past 12 months, low for a CBD area, meaning new competing supply is limited.
Development Activity
Total DAs
20
Last 12 Months
20
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Hobart iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Michael's Collegiate School
Prep-12 · 636 students
St Mary's College
Prep-12 · 951 students
Demographics
The median age of 31 is 9.0 years below the national figure, a gap that reflects Hobart CBD's strong student and young-professional character. University qualifications at 56% run 25.9 percentage points above national, among the highest in Tasmania. Overseas-born residents reach 43.6%, which is 22.0 percentage points above national, and the trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 4.1 points over the decade while the young share fell 2.2 points. English ancestry leads at 971 residents, followed by Chinese at 532 and Irish at 297. Mandarin is the most common non-English language at 152 speakers, consistent with a Chinese student and migrant presence. Average household size is 2.0, half a person below national, because couples without children make up 54.9% of families and one-person and share households are common in the inner CBD.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
19.1%
Houses
15.2%
Townhouse
63.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits sharply: 71.2% rent, 12.1% hold a mortgage and 16.7% own outright, a profile typical of inner-city university precincts rather than owner-occupier suburbs. The stock is 63.6% apartments and 15.2% semi-detached, leaving separate houses at just 19.1%. Two-bedroom units dominate at 40.2%, studios and one-bedrooms at 26.5%, and four-plus bedrooms at only 9.6%. From a $102,000 starting price in 1996 the median has risen 782% to $1,100,000, a 7.8% CAGR over 29 years. The peak was $1,075,000 in 2024, making the YTD 2026 median of $1,100,000 a 2.3% recovery above that peak. Mortgage-to-income at 29.2% and rent-to-income at 26.0% are both below the 30% stress threshold, though the gap to the median purchase price is wide for anyone at the 45th percentile income nationally.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,848
Rent / wk
$380
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$667
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
17.1%
Unoccupied
220
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
54.9%
Couples, no children
1,087
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare employs 22.3% of local workers (277 people), the single largest sector, followed by Hospitality at 17.1% (212) and Education at 10.7% (133). Professional/Tech accounts for 8.9% and Retail 8.8%, a distribution reflecting a state-government and university service economy rather than a corporate-finance hub. By occupation, Professionals lead at 499, Community and Personal services at 266 and Managers at 197. Unemployment sits at 13.7% and the participation rate at 54.5%, both worse than national benchmarks, partly because the student population inflates the non-labour-force count (1,048 residents). The SEIFA IEO score of 1,104 places Hobart in decile 9 for education and occupation, above national average, yet the IRSD decile is only 6, indicating moderate disadvantage on basic resource measures, an anomaly explained by the high student and renter share suppressing household wealth.
Unemployment
5.2%
Labour Force
5,826
Unemployed
302
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
53.2%
Part-time
33.1%
Participation
54.5%
Employed
1,511
Occupations
Top Industries
University
56.0%
Postgraduate
22.8%
Born Overseas
43.6%
Dwellings
1,037
Transport to Work
Walking and cycling to work reaches 55.5% of residents, the highest mode share of any category and far above the national average, because the compact 2.26 km2 footprint puts most amenities within walking distance. Public transport use is 6.3% and car drivers 35.4%, below national car-dependence norms. No schools are recorded in the 7000 postcode dataset, so families rely on schools in surrounding suburbs. The IRSAD decile of 8 places Hobart above average nationally on the combined advantage-disadvantage index. Volunteering reaches 25.6% of residents and 7.4% of residents need daily assistance, slightly above average. Rent-to-income at 26.0% keeps tenants below the stress threshold, though the high 17.1% vacancy rate in apartments suggests the rental market is softer than the headline figures imply.
Drive
35.4%
Public Transport
6.3%
Walk / Cycle
55.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.27%/yr
(+118 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 21.3% over the decade, faster than most Australian capital CBDs, driven by overseas migration that adds a net 252 residents per year. Annual growth is running at 1.27% or roughly 118 persons per year, and the medium forecast reaches 10,210 by 2031 from a current base near 9,325. Net internal outflow of 187 per year reflects that many residents treat the CBD as a stepping stone rather than a permanent home, consistent with a 53.9% residential turnover rate. The gentrification score of 32 signals early-stage gentrification, with signals including population growth of 20% since 2011 and accelerating overseas inflow. Affordability worsened from 43.2% of income in 2011 to 49.1% in 2021, and the trajectory is still worsening, which will constrain how many low-income renters can remain.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+252
Net Internal / yr
-187
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +20% since 2011, Net internal outflow -187/yr, Strong overseas inflow +252/yr, Accelerating: 4% → 15%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Hobart compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hobart a good suburb to live in?
Hobart 7000 ranks at IRSAD decile 8 nationally, above average on the combined advantage-disadvantage index. University qualifications reach 56%, which is 25.9 percentage points above national, and 55.5% of residents walk or cycle to work. The trade-offs are a $1,100,000 median house price against household incomes at only the 45th percentile nationally, and a 17.1% apartment vacancy rate.
What is the median house price in Hobart?
The median house price is $1,100,000 as of YTD 2026, up from $102,000 in 1996, a 782% gain at a 7.8% CAGR. Weekly rent averages $380 and monthly mortgage repayments run $1,848. The mortgage-to-income ratio is 29.2%, just below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Hobart?
No schools are recorded inside the 7000 postcode in this dataset. Families typically access schools in neighbouring suburbs such as South Hobart, West Hobart and North Hobart. The local population is highly educated, with 56% holding university qualifications, which is 25.9 percentage points above the national average.
Is Hobart safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Hobart 7000 in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores IRSAD decile 8 nationally, above average on the combined advantage and disadvantage index. Unemployment is elevated at 13.7%, partly inflated by the large student population counted in the non-labour force, which can affect perception of safety.
Is Hobart good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $380 against a $1,100,000 median gives a gross yield around 1.8%, below most investors' targets. The 17.1% vacancy rate points to apartment oversupply. Rent grew 43.1% over the decade compared to real income growth of only 2.2%, and overseas migration adds a net 252 residents per year. The 7.8% CAGR since 1996 supports long-term capital growth, but near-term yield and vacancy metrics are challenging.
How is Hobart's population changing?
The population grew 21.3% over the decade and is forecast to reach 10,210 by 2031, up from around 9,325 today. Annual growth runs at 1.27% or 118 persons per year, driven by overseas migration of net 252 per year. Internal outflow of 187 per year reflects high residential turnover of 53.9%, consistent with a transient student and short-term professional population.
What languages are spoken in Hobart?
About 43.6% of residents were born overseas, which is 22.0 percentage points above the national figure. Mandarin is the most common non-English language with 152 speakers, followed by Nepali at 49, Cantonese at 29 and Arabic at 20, reflecting the Chinese and South Asian student and migrant communities concentrated in the CBD.
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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