Longford
A median age of 47 makes Longford one of Tasmania's older communities, sitting 7 years above the national average of 40, and the demographic profile shapes nearly every other number here. With 4,268 residents spread across 176 square kilometres and a median house price of $662,500, Longford combines relatively affordable owner-occupied housing with a lower-income base, household income sitting at the 26th percentile nationally. The suburb scores decile 2 on both IRSD and IRSAD, signalling concentrated disadvantage by national standards, yet the 40.5% outright ownership rate and 85.7% detached housing share reflect an established, settled population rather than one in acute stress.
Population
4,268
Median Age
47.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,212/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$662K
YTD 2026
The median house price of $662,500 in 2026 represents a 21.6% lift from $544,000 recorded in 2025, which itself was below the 2024 median of $550,100, suggesting the market accelerated sharply in the latest period. Since 1996 when prices sat at $79,000, the CAGR has been 7.3% over 30 years, a strong long-run track record compared to many regional Tasmanian towns. The stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 85.7%, with 3-bedroom homes the most common at 48.3% and 4-plus bedroom at 22.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300 and mortgage-to-income sits at 24.8%, below the 30% stress threshold, making Longford more accessible than state capital markets despite the recent price jump.
For Buyers
The median house price of $662,500 in 2026 represents a 21.6% lift from $544,000 recorded in 2025, which itself was below the 2024 median of $550,100, suggesting the market accelerated sharply in the latest period. Since 1996 when prices sat at $79,000, the CAGR has been 7.3% over 30 years, a strong long-run track record compared to many regional Tasmanian towns. The stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 85.7%, with 3-bedroom homes the most common at 48.3% and 4-plus bedroom at 22.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300 and mortgage-to-income sits at 24.8%, below the 30% stress threshold, making Longford more accessible than state capital markets despite the recent price jump.
For Investors
The rental market in Longford shows a 7.2% vacancy rate, above typical tight-market thresholds and a sign that rental demand does not absorb supply as readily as in coastal Tasmanian markets. Weekly rent of $265 against a $662,500 median implies a gross yield near 2.1%, low for a regional market. The 26.1% renter share is moderate, not deep enough to sustain strong investor competition. On the demand side, net internal migration averages 28 arrivals per year and net overseas migration adds 20 more, giving a balanced migration driver and roughly 50 additional residents annually. The gentrification score of 22 and stage of early signs, combined with population growth of 20% since 2011, suggest some upward trajectory, though the 7.2% vacancy rate argues for caution.
Schools in Longford iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Longford Primary School
K-6 · 230 students
Demographics
The median age of 47 sits 7 years above the national figure, and the trajectory is firmly aging: the senior share rose 6.4 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 3.4 points. University qualifications reach 21.5%, which is 8.6 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the trade and labourer occupational base. The overseas-born share at 10.5% is 11.1 points below national, indicating a predominantly locally born population. Ancestry is Anglo-Celtic with English (2,062), Irish (405) and Scottish (381) as the leading groups. Average household size of 2.3 is 0.2 below national, and 35.1% of families are couples without children, consistent with an older, post-child-rearing profile. The volunteering rate of 18.1% is notably active for a lower-income community.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
85.7%
Houses
4.7%
Townhouse
8.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Longford is strongly owner-occupier territory: 40.5% own outright and 33.5% carry a mortgage, leaving only 26.1% renting. The outright ownership rate is high relative to state averages, reflecting the older age profile where residents have had longer to pay down debt. Separate houses account for 85.7% of dwellings, with apartments at just 8.3% and semi-detached at 4.7%. Three-bedroom homes are the dominant type at 48.3%, followed by 2-bedroom at 25.2% and 4-plus bedroom at 22.1%. Price history shows recovery and acceleration: $550,100 in 2024, $544,000 in 2025, then $662,500 in 2026. Since 1996 the median has grown from $79,000, a 738.6% increase over 30 years. Mortgage-to-income at 24.8% and rent-to-income at 21.9% are both below the 30% stress threshold.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wk
$265
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$667
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.2%
Unoccupied
134
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
35.1%
Couples, no children
3,197
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 20.9% of local workers (231 people), well ahead of Construction at 12.1% (133) and Manufacturing and Education, each at 8.8%. Retail accounts for 8.0%. By occupation, Labourers (255) and Community/Personal service workers (252) are the largest groups, ahead of Managers (234), Professionals (233) and Clerical/Admin (209). This occupational mix aligns with the SEIFA position: Longford scores decile 2 on IRSD and IRSAD nationally, placing it in the bottom quintile for both advantage and relative disadvantage. The unemployment rate is 5.7% and the participation rate is 51.7%, lower than national norms because 1,440 residents are not in the labour force, partly a consequence of the aging demographic. Real incomes grew 18.0% over the decade.
Unemployment
2.9%
Labour Force
2,252
Unemployed
66
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.1%
Part-time
31.2%
Participation
51.7%
Employed
1,741
Occupations
Top Industries
University
21.5%
Postgraduate
3.9%
Born Overseas
10.5%
Dwellings
1,732
Transport to Work
Longford is almost entirely car-dependent: 89.0% of residents drive to work, compared to the national average, and only 0.6% use public transport, reflecting the 176 square kilometre low-density spread. Walking and cycling account for 4.9%, above what the suburb's dispersed nature might suggest. The IRSAD decile of 2 places Longford in the bottom 20% nationally for advantage, yet practical housing stress indicators tell a different story: rent-to-income at 21.9% and mortgage-to-income at 24.8% are both below the 30% stress threshold. The 7.8% need-assistance rate (316 people) is above the national average, consistent with the older median age of 47. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset. The 18.1% volunteering rate indicates a community-oriented resident base.
Drive
89.0%
Public Transport
0.6%
Walk / Cycle
4.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.07%/yr
(+50 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation has grown from roughly 3,620 in 2011 to 4,268 at Census, a 17.9% increase over 10 years, and the recent trend adds approximately 50 people per year at a 1.07% annual rate. Historical counts show steady growth: 4,597 in 2023, 4,636 in 2024 and 4,684 in 2025. Medium forecasts project 4,954 residents by 2031 on trend-continuation assumptions. The gentrification stage is early signs, with a score of 22 and signals including population up 20% since 2011 and an accelerating share of higher-income arrivals from 3% to 16%. Migration is balanced with 28 net internal arrivals and 20 net overseas arrivals annually. Affordability has remained stable at around 39% across the decade, and the 44.4% rent growth over the period exceeds most regional Tasmanian benchmarks.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+20
Net Internal / yr
+28
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +20% since 2011, Accelerating: 3% → 16%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Longford compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Longford a good suburb to live in?
Longford offers affordable housing with a $662,500 median and mortgage-to-income of 24.8%, below the 30% stress threshold. The IRSAD score sits at decile 2 nationally, indicating higher disadvantage by national standards, and 89% of residents rely on cars given limited public transport. The 18.1% volunteering rate reflects an engaged community despite lower income levels.
What is the median house price in Longford?
The median house price in Longford is $662,500 (YTD 2026), up from $544,000 in 2025. Weekly rent averages $265 and monthly mortgage repayments are around $1,300. The 30-year CAGR is 7.3%, with prices rising from $79,000 in 1996.
What schools are in Longford?
No schools are recorded within the Longford suburb boundary in this dataset. Local residents would access schools in nearby areas of Northern Tasmania. The suburb's university qualification rate of 21.5% is 8.6 percentage points below the national average, consistent with a predominantly trade and service-sector workforce.
Is Longford safe?
Crime statistics are not available for Longford in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 2 on IRSD nationally, placing it in the lower advantage tier, though housing stress indicators such as rent-to-income at 21.9% and mortgage-to-income at 24.8% are both below stress thresholds. The 7.8% need-assistance rate is higher than national averages.
Is Longford good for property investment?
The 7.2% vacancy rate is above tight-market levels, indicating softer rental demand than many Tasmanian markets. Gross yield on $265 weekly rent against a $662,500 median is near 2.1%, low for a regional area. However, the 30-year CAGR of 7.3% and 44.4% rent growth over the decade show the market does grow over time. Net annual migration of around 48 people per year provides modest ongoing demand.
How is Longford's population changing?
Population grew 17.9% over the decade to 4,268 and is increasing at 1.07% annually, adding around 50 residents per year. Forecasts project 4,954 residents by 2031. The profile is aging, with the senior share rising 6.4 points and working-age share falling 3.4 points since 2011. Migration is balanced between internal (28 net per year) and overseas arrivals (20 net per year).
What industries drive employment in Longford?
Healthcare employs 20.9% of local workers (231 people), the largest sector, followed by Construction at 12.1% and Manufacturing and Education each at 8.8%. The top occupations are Labourers (255) and Community/Personal service workers (252). Unemployment is 5.7% and participation rate is 51.7%, with 1,440 residents not in the labour force, partly reflecting the older median age of 47.
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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