Mowbray
With 33.1% of residents born overseas and a median age of 32, which is 8 years below the national figure, Mowbray stands apart from typical Launceston fringe suburbs. The suburb holds a SEIFA IRSD decile of 1 nationally, placing it among the most disadvantaged 10% of Australian suburbs. Yet household income growth of 32.4% in real terms over the decade and a gentrification score of 53 signal active economic change. Renters make up 51.1% of residents, the majority tenure, while the median house price of $540,500 has risen from $450,000 in 2024, a 20% jump in two years.
Population
4,048
Median Age
32.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,138/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$540K
YTD 2026
The median house price reached $540,500 in YTD 2026, up from $450,000 in 2024 and $490,000 in 2025, a 20% rise across two years. That figure remains well below the national median, making Mowbray one of the more accessible entry points in greater Launceston. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,050, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 21.3%, below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses dominate at 84.6% of stock, with 3-bedroom homes the most common at 48.4%. Outright owners account for only 25.5% compared with 23.4% carrying mortgages, reflecting the majority renter profile. Buyers seeking detached housing at lower price points than coastal or mainland markets will find the stock composition here aligns well with conventional family ownership.
For Buyers
The median house price reached $540,500 in YTD 2026, up from $450,000 in 2024 and $490,000 in 2025, a 20% rise across two years. That figure remains well below the national median, making Mowbray one of the more accessible entry points in greater Launceston. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,050, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 21.3%, below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses dominate at 84.6% of stock, with 3-bedroom homes the most common at 48.4%. Outright owners account for only 25.5% compared with 23.4% carrying mortgages, reflecting the majority renter profile. Buyers seeking detached housing at lower price points than coastal or mainland markets will find the stock composition here aligns well with conventional family ownership.
For Investors
A 51.1% renter share is the defining investor signal in Mowbray, well above the national average, and weekly rent of $290 against a $540,500 median gives a gross yield near 2.8%. The 6.1% vacancy rate is elevated and warrants attention, suggesting some softness in tenant demand. Overseas migration is the primary population driver at a net 92 arrivals per year, partly explained by the 33.1% overseas-born population. Internal migration runs at a net outflow of 123 per year, which limits organic demand growth. The 30-year price CAGR of 7.3% from $65,000 in 1996 to $540,500 in 2026 shows steady long-run capital growth. Rent grew 38.1% over the measured period, faster than many comparable regional markets.
Schools in Mowbray iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Launceston Church Grammar School
Prep-12 · 723 students
Mowbray Heights Primary School
K-6 · 494 students
Demographics
The median age of 32 is 8 years below the national figure, producing a distinctly young resident base compared to most established suburbs. The overseas-born share of 33.1% runs 11.5 percentage points above national, driven partly by Nepali (198 speakers), Mandarin (80) and Punjabi (36) communities. University qualifications reach 37.4%, which is 7.3 points above the national figure, a higher rate than the SEIFA decile 1 standing would suggest and likely linked to the overseas-born and younger demographic mix. Average household size is 2.5, in line with the national average. English ancestry leads at 1,329 residents, followed by Irish (257) and Scottish (253). Christianity is the largest religion at 1,354, with Hinduism second at 257, consistent with the South Asian population.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
84.6%
Houses
10.6%
Townhouse
3.9%
Apartment
Tenure
From the earliest recorded price of $65,000 in 1996, the median reached $540,500 in 2026, a 731.5% total gain and a 30-year CAGR of 7.3%. The current price is at the all-time peak for the suburb. Separate houses make up 84.6% of dwellings, a higher detached share than many urban suburbs nationally. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 48.4%, with 2-bedroom at 31.8% and 4-plus at 14.4%. Tenure is unusual: renters at 51.1% outnumber both outright owners (25.5%) and mortgage holders (23.4%), so the majority of the housing stock is investor-held. Rent-to-income sits at 25.5%, just below the 30% stress threshold, keeping tenants in a manageable position. Mortgage-to-income at 21.3% gives owner-occupiers good headroom.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,050
Rent / wk
$290
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$583
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.1%
Unoccupied
101
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.2%
Couples, no children
2,728
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant employer at 25.6% of the local workforce (292 workers), nearly double the next sector, Hospitality at 10.7% (122 workers). Retail follows at 9.3% and Education at 8.3%, with Manufacturing rounding out the top five at 7.3%. By occupation, Community and Personal services leads at 341 workers, closely followed by Labourers at 334, then Professionals at 221 and Sales at 201. The unemployment rate of 9.8% is above national benchmarks, and the participation rate of 55.6% is low, with 1,203 residents not in the labour force. The SEIFA IRSD and IEO both sit at decile 1 nationally, reflecting concentrated disadvantage across income, education and occupation dimensions. Real income growth of 32.4% over the decade shows improving conditions despite the low base.
Unemployment
6.2%
Labour Force
2,177
Unemployed
135
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
48.8%
Part-time
41.4%
Participation
55.6%
Employed
1,690
Occupations
Top Industries
University
37.4%
Postgraduate
15.7%
Born Overseas
33.1%
Dwellings
1,545
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high, with 79.5% of residents driving to work, above the national average, and only 3.6% using public transport. Walking and cycling account for 6.5%. Crime data is not available in this dataset, so direct safety comparisons cannot be made. The IRSD decile 1 and IRSAD decile 1 rankings place Mowbray in the most disadvantaged tier nationally, indicating concentrated access barriers across services and resources compared to higher-decile suburbs. The need-assistance rate is 7.2% (278 residents), above national norms and consistent with the SEIFA profile. Volunteering runs at 14.9% of residents. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families draw on nearby Launceston institutions. The rent-to-income ratio of 25.5% keeps housing costs manageable for tenants relative to the 30% stress threshold.
Drive
79.5%
Public Transport
3.6%
Walk / Cycle
6.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.7%/yr
(+29 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation has been essentially flat in recent years: 4,140 in 2023, 4,132 in 2024 and 4,136 in 2025, with annual growth of 0.7% (29 persons per year). The medium forecast projects gradual expansion to 4,372 by 2031. The 10-year population change of 7.9% is modest but positive. Net internal migration runs at minus 123 per year, meaning the suburb retains population only through overseas arrivals of 92 per year and natural increase. The shift trajectory is labelled declining young, with the young-resident share falling 2.5 percentage points over the decade despite the current young median age. Affordability improved from 58.7% of income in 2011 to 49.7% in 2021. The formal gentrification index reads not gentrifying at the composite level, though the active gentrification stage signal and 53 gentrification score in the shift data suggest slow but real structural change.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+92
Net Internal / yr
-123
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -123/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Mowbray compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mowbray a good suburb to live in?
Mowbray offers affordable housing, with a median house price of $540,500 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.3%, well below the 30% stress threshold. The suburb sits in SEIFA decile 1 nationally, indicating higher disadvantage across income and services compared to the national average, and the unemployment rate is 9.8%. The young median age of 32 and strong overseas community give the suburb an active demographic mix.
What is the median house price in Mowbray?
The median house price is $540,500, based on YTD 2026 data, up from $450,000 in 2024. Weekly rent averages $290 and monthly mortgage repayments average $1,050. The 30-year price CAGR is 7.3%, from $65,000 in 1996 to the current peak.
What schools are in Mowbray?
No schools are recorded within the Mowbray suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Launceston suburbs. Local university qualification rates reach 37.4%, which is 7.3 points above the national figure, suggesting residents value and access education beyond the suburb.
Is Mowbray safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Mowbray in this dataset. As context, the suburb holds a SEIFA IRSD decile of 1 nationally and a IRSAD decile of 1, placing it in the most disadvantaged tier on both indexes. Higher disadvantage levels are often correlated with elevated crime rates, though individual street and precinct conditions vary.
Is Mowbray good for property investment?
Mowbray's 51.1% renter share, well above the national average, provides a deep tenant pool. Weekly rent of $290 against the $540,500 median implies a gross yield near 2.8%. The 6.1% vacancy rate is elevated and bears watching. The 30-year price CAGR of 7.3% and 38.1% rent growth over the measured period show solid long-run returns, though net internal outflow of 123 per year limits near-term demand growth.
How is Mowbray's population changing?
Population is effectively stable, at 4,136 in 2025 versus 4,140 in 2023, growing at 0.7% per year. The medium forecast projects growth to 4,372 by 2031. Overseas migration of 92 net arrivals per year is the primary growth driver, offsetting internal outflow of 123 per year. The 10-year population change is 7.9%.
What languages are spoken in Mowbray?
With 33.1% of residents born overseas, 11.5 percentage points above the national figure, Mowbray has strong international representation. Nepali is the most common non-English language at 198 speakers, followed by Mandarin (80), Punjabi (36) and Urdu (29), reflecting a South Asian and East Asian community concentrated in a suburb with a total population of 4,048.
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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