North Hobart
Renting is the norm in North Hobart, with 55% of households renting compared to the national owner-occupier majority. That tenure split, combined with a university qualification rate of 57% (26.9 percentage points above the national figure), reflects a suburb shaped around walkability and education rather than homeownership. The median house price sits at $795,000 after pulling back 18.7% from the 2024 peak of $978,000. At just 1.0 km2, North Hobart packs 2,600 residents into one of Hobart's most walkable precincts, where 40.8% travel on foot or by bike, far above the national average.
Population
2,600
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,823/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
11
Median House
$795K
YTD 2026
The median house price is $795,000, down from a 2024 peak of $978,000, representing an 18.7% correction over two years. That price has still risen 591% from $115,000 in 1996, with a 30-year compound annual growth rate of 6.7%, well above general inflation. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,820, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.1%, below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses account for only 46.5% of dwellings, while semi-detached properties represent 27.9% and apartments 25.2%, limiting options for buyers seeking traditional detached stock. Two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes each make up 35.8% of the dwelling mix, and studio or one-bedroom units account for 15.6%, reflecting a stock profile skewed toward smaller households.
For Buyers
The median house price is $795,000, down from a 2024 peak of $978,000, representing an 18.7% correction over two years. That price has still risen 591% from $115,000 in 1996, with a 30-year compound annual growth rate of 6.7%, well above general inflation. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,820, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.1%, below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses account for only 46.5% of dwellings, while semi-detached properties represent 27.9% and apartments 25.2%, limiting options for buyers seeking traditional detached stock. Two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes each make up 35.8% of the dwelling mix, and studio or one-bedroom units account for 15.6%, reflecting a stock profile skewed toward smaller households.
For Investors
At 55%, North Hobart's renter share is notably higher than the national average, creating a deep tenant pool. Weekly rents run at $400, and rent grew 43.1% over the decade, outpacing real income growth of 2.2%. Against the $795,000 median, that equates to a gross yield around 2.6%. The vacancy rate is 10.7%, which is elevated and signals an oversupplied rental market, particularly in the apartment and semi-detached segment. Overseas migration drives net growth at 252 arrivals per year, while internal migration runs at negative 187 per year, meaning the suburb retains international demand but loses locals. Only 8 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, indicating limited new supply pressure.
Development Activity
Total DAs
11
Last 12 Months
11
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 North Hobart iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
The Friends' School
Prep-12 · 1269 students
Campbell Street Primary School
K-6 · 219 students
Lambert School
1-10 · 33 students
Elizabeth College
11-12 · 738 students
Demographics
The median age of 35 is 5 years below the national figure, making North Hobart younger than most Australian suburbs. University qualifications reach 57%, which is 26.9 percentage points above the national average, reflecting the suburb's proximity to the University of Tasmania and its concentration of professional and public sector workers. Overseas-born residents account for 29.5% of the population, 7.9 points above national. English ancestry dominates (1,018 residents), followed by Irish (298) and Scottish (281), with Chinese ancestry at 178. Average household size of 2.1 is 0.4 below the national figure, consistent with single-person and couple-without-children households. The volunteering rate of 23.4% is high relative to comparable urban suburbs.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
46.5%
Houses
27.9%
Townhouse
25.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure in North Hobart is atypical: 55% rent, 23% hold a mortgage, and only 22% own outright. This renter majority differs sharply from the national pattern where ownership (with or without mortgage) is the norm. The housing stock comprises 46.5% separate houses, 27.9% semi-detached, and 25.2% apartments, a more mixed profile than most Tasmanian suburbs. The median house price peaked at $978,000 in 2024 before falling to $795,000 in 2026, a correction of 18.7%. Over the long run, values rose 591% from $115,000 in 1996. Rent-to-income sits at 21.9%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. The 10.7% vacancy rate is the standout risk signal, suggesting supply in the rental market exceeds current demand.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,820
Rent / wk
$400
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$902
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.7%
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
23.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
42.3%
Couples, no children
1,481
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare employs 22.5% of local workers (270 people), the dominant sector, followed by Education at 12.8% and Hospitality at 12.3%. Public Administration (9.8%) and Professional/Technical services (9.0%) round out the top five. By occupation, Professionals account for 543 workers, more than all other occupation groups combined, which aligns with the IEO decile 9 score for education and occupation outcomes. The unemployment rate is 7.5%, higher than national averages, and the participation rate of 66.3% is moderate. The SEIFA picture shows an unusual split: IEO decile 9 (strong education and employment outcomes) coexists with IER decile 1 (very low economic resources), because the renter-majority, smaller-household profile suppresses aggregate wealth measures despite high individual qualifications.
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
60.2%
Part-time
32.3%
Participation
66.3%
Employed
1,449
Occupations
Top Industries
University
57.0%
Postgraduate
18.3%
Born Overseas
29.5%
Dwellings
1,117
Transport to Work
North Hobart stands out for walkability: 40.8% of residents travel on foot or by bicycle to work, far above the national average, and public transport accounts for a further 6.7%. Only 45.6% rely on a car, compared to the national majority. The suburb scores decile 9 on IEO, placing it among the top 10% nationally for education and occupation outcomes. IRSAD sits at decile 8, reflecting above-average overall advantage. No schools are recorded within the 1.0 km2 boundary, so families use nearby institutions in Hobart's inner precinct. The rent-to-income ratio of 21.9% keeps housing costs manageable for renters, and mortgage-to-income of 23.1% is below stress levels for the 23% of households on a mortgage. At 3.9%, the share of residents needing daily assistance is low.
Drive
45.6%
Public Transport
6.7%
Walk / Cycle
40.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.27%/yr
(+118 people/yr)
EstablishedNorth Hobart's broader area population grew 21.3% over the decade, with the medium forecast projecting growth from around 9,325 currently to 10,210 by 2031, adding roughly 118 persons per year. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver at 252 net arrivals per year, while internal migration runs at negative 187 per year, indicating the suburb attracts international residents but exports locals, likely to outer suburban areas for affordability. The gentrification stage reads as early signs, with signals including population growth of over 20% since 2011, accelerating overseas inflow, and affordability worsening from 43.2% in 2011 to 49.1% in 2021. The age trajectory is shifting older, with the senior share rising 4.1 points and the young-adult share falling 2.2 points over the decade.
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 North Hobart compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Hobart a good suburb to live in?
North Hobart ranks in IEO decile 9 and IRSAD decile 8, placing it in the top tier nationally for education outcomes and overall advantage. The walkability rate of 40.8% cycling or walking to work is among the highest you will find in any Australian suburb. The main trade-offs are a 10.7% vacancy rate in the rental market and a median house price of $795,000 that has corrected 18.7% from its 2024 peak.
What is the median house price in North Hobart?
The median house price is $795,000 as of YTD 2026, down from a peak of $978,000 in 2024. Weekly rent averages $400 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,820, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.1%. The 30-year compound annual growth rate is 6.7%, with prices rising 591% from $115,000 in 1996.
What schools are in North Hobart?
No schools are recorded within the 1.0 km2 North Hobart boundary in this dataset, so families use schools in the surrounding Hobart inner precinct. Despite the absence of local schools, the suburb has a university qualification rate of 57%, which is 26.9 percentage points above the national average, one of the highest rates in Tasmania.
Is North Hobart safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for North Hobart in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 9 on the IEO index and decile 8 on IRSAD, both in the high-advantage tier nationally. Only 3.9% of residents (96 people) need daily assistance, consistent with a relatively stable and low-disadvantage community profile.
Is North Hobart good for property investment?
The 55% renter majority provides a deep tenant pool, and rent grew 43.1% over the past decade. At $400 per week against a $795,000 median, gross yield is approximately 2.6%. However, the 10.7% vacancy rate signals oversupply in the rental market. Net overseas migration of 252 per year supports longer-term demand, but the current correction of 18.7% from peak warrants caution on timing.
How is North Hobart's population changing?
The broader area population grew 21.3% over the decade and is forecast to reach 10,210 by 2031. Annual growth runs at approximately 1.27%, adding around 118 persons per year. Overseas migration is the primary driver at 252 net arrivals annually, while internal migration is negative at 187 per year, as locals move to outer suburbs for affordability.
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.
Explore North Hobart on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map