Sheffield
At a median age of 54, Sheffield's population is 14.0 years older than the national figure, making it one of Tasmania's most distinctly senior communities. Household income sits at just the 11.8th percentile nationally, yet 50.2% of residents own their homes outright, a tenure pattern that reflects long-term, debt-free settlement rather than recent buyer activity. Weekly rent of $200 is well below the national average, and the vacancy rate of 8.7% signals softer rental demand. With 92.4% of dwellings being separate houses and a gentrification score of 45 placing it in the Active stage, Sheffield combines deep affordability with early-stage reinvestment signals.
Population
1,602
Median Age
54.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$970/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
No median sale price data is available for Sheffield in this period, but monthly mortgage repayments average $1,000, low compared to most Australian markets. At 92.4%, separate houses dominate the housing stock, so buyers get genuine detached living rather than apartment alternatives. Three-bedroom homes make up 52.4% of dwellings and four-plus bedroom homes account for 21.2%, skewing toward family-sized stock. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.8% stays below the 30% stress threshold, meaning typical mortgage holders are not under financial pressure despite income sitting at only the 11.8th percentile nationally. With 50.2% of households owning outright, Sheffield's housing market is dominated by established, debt-free owners rather than active purchasers.
For Buyers
No median sale price data is available for Sheffield in this period, but monthly mortgage repayments average $1,000, low compared to most Australian markets. At 92.4%, separate houses dominate the housing stock, so buyers get genuine detached living rather than apartment alternatives. Three-bedroom homes make up 52.4% of dwellings and four-plus bedroom homes account for 21.2%, skewing toward family-sized stock. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.8% stays below the 30% stress threshold, meaning typical mortgage holders are not under financial pressure despite income sitting at only the 11.8th percentile nationally. With 50.2% of households owning outright, Sheffield's housing market is dominated by established, debt-free owners rather than active purchasers.
For Investors
Weekly rent of $200 is low in absolute terms, but set against Sheffield's income base at the 11.8th percentile nationally, a rent-to-income ratio of 20.6% keeps tenants comfortable and turnover low. The 8.7% vacancy rate is higher than typical tight rental markets, signalling that demand is measured rather than strong. Only 24.2% of residents rent, one of the lower renter shares among Tasmanian towns. Rent grew 27.8% over the measured period, outpacing real income growth of 24.6%, which compresses affordability slightly but from a low base. Net overseas migration of 24 residents per year exceeds internal net inflow of 13, providing modest but steady demand support. Development activity in the past 12 months recorded zero applications.
Schools in Sheffield iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Sheffield School
K-12 · 365 students
Demographics
Sheffield's median age of 54 is 14.0 years above the national figure, the most distinctive demographic fact about this community. The senior share of the population grew 6.8 points over the decade while the young-adult share dropped 4.4 points, confirming an accelerating aging trajectory. Average household size of 2.1 is 0.4 below national, consistent with more couples without children: 43.2% of families fall into that category. Overseas-born residents make up 14.6%, which is 7.0 points below the national figure, and ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (695 residents), Scottish (174) and Irish (132). University qualifications reach only 17.8%, which is 12.3 points below the national average.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
92.4%
Houses
7.1%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Separate houses account for 92.4% of Sheffield's dwellings, far above the national mix, with semi-detached homes at 7.1% and virtually no apartments. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 52.4%, followed by four-plus bedroom at 21.2% and two-bedroom at 20.3%. Tenure is notably owner-heavy: 50.2% own outright, 25.5% hold a mortgage and only 24.2% rent. That outright ownership rate is high by national standards, reflecting a long-settled, older population. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,000, well below national norms, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.8% stays comfortably below the 30% stress level. Weekly rent of $200 represents 20.6% of household income, leaving no rent stress by conventional measures.
Mortgage / mo
$1,000
Rent / wk
$200
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$515
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.7%
Unoccupied
62
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.8%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
43.2%
Couples, no children
1,113
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Sheffield's largest employing industry at 18.3% of workers (58 people), well above its share in most small Tasmanian towns, driven by the needs of an aging population. Construction follows at 10.1% and Education at 9.5%, with Hospitality at 9.1% and Agriculture at 8.2% rounding out the top five. By occupation, Managers (83) and Labourers (81) are almost equally represented, a mix that reflects both farm operations and local services. The unemployment rate of 7.2% is elevated compared to the national average, and the participation rate of just 39.9% reflects a large cohort of retirees, with 652 residents not in the labour force. Sheffield scores decile 2 on both IEO (education and occupation) and IRSAD (relative advantage), placing it in the lower 20% nationally on socioeconomic measures.
Unemployment
3.5%
Labour Force
3,490
Unemployed
121
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.2%
Part-time
34.6%
Participation
39.9%
Employed
517
Occupations
Top Industries
University
17.8%
Postgraduate
4.0%
Born Overseas
14.6%
Dwellings
647
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 88.4%, above the national average, which reflects Sheffield's rural character and 61.06 square kilometre area with limited public transport. Walking and cycling account for 6.6% of commutes, reasonable for a low-density town. The IRSAD decile of 2 places Sheffield in the lower 20% nationally for relative advantage, and the IEO decile of 2 signals limited access to education and employment resources compared to state and national benchmarks. On the positive side, 22.8% of residents volunteer, a high community participation rate, and housing stress is absent: both mortgage-to-income at 23.8% and rent-to-income at 20.6% sit well below stress thresholds. The need-for-assistance rate of 11.9% (171 residents) is elevated relative to younger communities, a consequence of the 54-year median age. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset.
Drive
88.4%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
6.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.8%/yr
(+55 people/yr)
EstablishedSheffield's population is growing at 0.8% annually, adding roughly 55 residents per year, and the medium forecast sees the broader area reaching around 7,253 by 2031, up from 6,911 in 2025. The 10-year population change was 8.6%, solid for a rural Tasmanian community. Net overseas migration of 24 people per year slightly exceeds net internal inflow of 13, giving a balanced migration driver. The gentrification score of 45 places Sheffield in the Active stage, with accelerating signals of reinvestment, though the formal gentrification classification remains Not gentrifying based on socioeconomic thresholds. Affordability improved from 45.7% in 2011 to 38.1% in 2021, a trend moving in favour of buyers. Rent grew 27.8% over the measured period, faster than most regional Tasmanian comparisons.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+24
Net Internal / yr
+13
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Accelerating: -2% → 10%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Sheffield compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sheffield a good suburb to live in?
Sheffield suits retirees and those seeking affordable, low-density living. Median age is 54, household income sits at the 11.8th percentile nationally, and 50.2% of residents own their homes outright. Housing stress is absent, with mortgage-to-income at 23.8% and rent-to-income at 20.6%. The IRSAD decile of 2 reflects limited local services compared to most Australian suburbs.
What is the median house price in Sheffield?
No median sale price data is available for Sheffield in this dataset. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,000, and weekly rent is $200. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.8% suggests purchase costs are manageable relative to the local income base, with 50.2% of households owning their home outright.
What schools are in Sheffield?
No schools are recorded within the Sheffield suburb boundary in this dataset. Education qualifications locally reach 17.8%, which is 12.3 points below the national average, reflecting the older and more rural character of the population. Families typically rely on schools in neighbouring towns in the Kentish Council area.
Is Sheffield safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Sheffield in this dataset. As an indirect measure, the suburb scores decile 3 on IRSD (relative disadvantage), placing it in the lower third nationally. Volunteering runs at 22.8% and community stability is high, with 81.4% of residents having stayed in place over the measured period.
Is Sheffield good for property investment?
Sheffield offers a low-cost entry point, with weekly rent of $200 and a vacancy rate of 8.7%. Rent grew 27.8% over the measured period. However, the 8.7% vacancy rate and a renter share of only 24.2% mean the pool of tenants is limited. Population is growing at 0.8% annually and net migration is balanced, providing moderate demand support.
How is Sheffield's population changing?
Sheffield is growing at 0.8% per year, adding around 55 residents annually, with the broader area forecast to reach 7,253 by 2031. The 10-year change was 8.6%. The trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 6.8 points and the young-adult share fell 4.4 points over the decade. Net overseas migration of 24 per year slightly exceeds internal inflow of 13.
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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