Sorell
At a median age of 41, exactly at the national figure, Sorell reads as a stable mid-market suburb, yet its population grew 28.6% over the decade and the gentrification score has reached the active stage, with net internal migration delivering 112 new residents a year. House prices rose from $655,000 in 2024 to $720,000 in 2026, a 9.9% two-year move. Household income sits at the 32.7th percentile nationally, below average, while the CAGR on house prices since 1996 runs at 7.1% annually, above many comparable Tasmanian markets. The suburb is detached-house dominant at 96.7%, anglo-leaning in ancestry, and tracking an aging demographic trajectory.
Population
3,597
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,317/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$720K
YTD 2026
The median house price reached $720,000 in 2026, up from $655,000 in 2024 and $92,000 in 1996, a 7.1% annual compound growth rate over 30 years. Separate houses make up 96.7% of stock, leaving almost no apartment or semi-detached alternatives. Three-bedroom homes account for 56.5% of dwellings and four-plus bedrooms 18.7%, so supply skews toward family-sized homes. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517 and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 26.6%, below the 30% stress threshold, which is a better position than many mainland markets. Outright owners at 35.7% nearly match mortgage holders at 36.8%, a tenure profile that favors long-term owners over recent leveraged buyers.
For Buyers
The median house price reached $720,000 in 2026, up from $655,000 in 2024 and $92,000 in 1996, a 7.1% annual compound growth rate over 30 years. Separate houses make up 96.7% of stock, leaving almost no apartment or semi-detached alternatives. Three-bedroom homes account for 56.5% of dwellings and four-plus bedrooms 18.7%, so supply skews toward family-sized homes. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517 and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 26.6%, below the 30% stress threshold, which is a better position than many mainland markets. Outright owners at 35.7% nearly match mortgage holders at 36.8%, a tenure profile that favors long-term owners over recent leveraged buyers.
For Investors
Renters represent 27.5% of households, a moderate pool against a weekly rent of $350. The vacancy rate of 4.6% is slightly elevated compared to the national norm near 2-3%, signalling modest oversupply rather than a tight rental market. Net internal migration of 112 residents annually is the primary demand driver, supplemented by 47 overseas arrivals per year, together providing a structural base. Rent grew 42% over the measured period, a strong nominal gain. The price-to-rent ratio is approximately 40x based on annual rent of $18,200 against the $720,000 median, so yield is thin. Population is forecast to reach 12,139 by 2031 under the medium scenario, a 12% lift from the 2025 base, which supports longer-term demand.
Schools in Sorell iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Sorell School
K-12 · 792 students
Demographics
The median age of 41 matches the national figure, though the trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 4.5 points while the young adult share fell 1.5 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents account for 11.8% of the population, which is 9.8 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the predominantly Anglo-Celtic settlement pattern. English ancestry leads at 1,678 residents, followed by Irish (363) and Scottish (292). University qualifications reach 21.3%, which is 8.8 percentage points below the national rate. Average household size of 2.4 is 0.1 below national, and the couples-with-children profile at 37.6% of families is moderate. The IEO decile of 4 places the suburb in the lower half of education and occupation advantage nationally.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
96.7%
Houses
3.1%
Townhouse
0.2%
Apartment
Tenure
The housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 96.7%, well above the national mix. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 56.5%, with four-plus bedrooms at 18.7% and two-bedrooms at 22.9%. Prices have grown from $92,000 in 1996 to $720,000 in 2026, a compound annual rate of 7.1% over 30 years. Current prices are at the 2026 peak with zero distance from peak to latest. Tenure splits roughly evenly: 35.7% own outright, 36.8% are paying a mortgage, and 27.5% rent, compared to the national renter share of approximately 32%. Mortgage-to-income at 26.6% and rent-to-income also at 26.6% are both below the 30% stress threshold, making Sorell relatively affordable in servicing terms despite the $720,000 price point.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,517
Rent / wk
$350
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$679
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.6%
Unoccupied
69
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.6%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
31.1%
Couples, no children
2,782
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the leading industry at 17.3% of the workforce (172 workers), followed by Education at 12.3% (122 workers) and Construction at 11.7% (116 workers). Public Administration at 10.8% and Retail at 6.8% round out the top five, a pattern consistent with a regional service hub rather than a trade-exposed economy. Clerical/Admin workers lead by occupation count at 250, ahead of Professionals at 220 and Community/Personal roles at 212. The unemployment rate is 5.4%, above the national average, and the full-time employment rate of 61.1% reflects a partly part-time local labour market. The IRSD decile of 5 and IRSAD decile of 4 place Sorell in the middle to slightly below-average tier nationally for relative disadvantage and advantage. Real income grew 12.6% over the decade, a moderate gain.
Unemployment
3.4%
Labour Force
5,570
Unemployed
192
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.1%
Part-time
33.5%
Participation
52.2%
Employed
1,461
Occupations
Top Industries
University
21.3%
Postgraduate
5.4%
Born Overseas
11.8%
Dwellings
1,434
Transport to Work
Car dependency is very high at 88.7% of commuters driving, compared to the national figure of around 60-65%, because public transport use is just 2.0%, well below the national average. Walking and cycling accounts for 3.7%. No schools are recorded within the Sorell boundary in this dataset, so families rely on nearby institutions. The IRSAD decile of 4 places the suburb below the national median on the combined advantage and disadvantage index. Volunteering runs at 15%, close to the national average, and 9.9% of residents need daily assistance, equivalent to 340 people, a meaningful proportion reflecting the aging trajectory. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.6% keeps housing costs manageable for current owners, and the rent-to-income ratio of 26.6% is below the 30% stress threshold.
Drive
88.7%
Public Transport
2.0%
Walk / Cycle
3.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.95%/yr
(+212 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 28.6% over the past decade, well above the national average, and current annual growth runs at 1.95%, adding approximately 212 residents per year. The primary driver is internal migration at a net 112 residents annually, with overseas migration contributing 47 more. The medium forecast projects population rising from 10,881 in 2025 to 12,139 by 2031, a 12% increase over six years. The gentrification score of 42 sits at the active stage, supported by signals including 39% population growth since 2011 and an accelerating owner-occupier share from 9% to 27%. Rent grew 42% over the period. The affordability ratio improved marginally, moving from 46.9% in 2011 to 48.1% in 2021, still above the stress threshold and suggesting ongoing pressure on entry-level buyers despite below-average incomes.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+47
Net Internal / yr
+112
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +39% since 2011, Net internal migration +112/yr, Accelerating: 9% → 27%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Sorell compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sorell a good suburb to live in?
Sorell offers affordable housing with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.6%, below the 30% stress threshold. The suburb scores IRSAD decile 4 nationally, below average on the advantage index, and has a 5.4% unemployment rate. Strong population growth of 28.6% over the decade reflects genuine demand, though car access is essential as public transport use is just 2.0%.
What is the median house price in Sorell?
The median house price is $720,000 in 2026, up from $655,000 in 2024. The 30-year compound annual growth rate is 7.1% from $92,000 in 1996. Weekly rent averages $350 and monthly mortgage repayments run approximately $1,517.
What schools are in Sorell?
No schools are recorded within the Sorell suburb boundary in this dataset. Families in the area rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. University qualifications in Sorell reach 21.3%, which is 8.8 percentage points below the national average.
Is Sorell safe?
Crime statistics specific to Sorell are not available in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb sits at IRSD decile 5 nationally for relative disadvantage, placing it near the median. The volunteering rate is 15% and 9.9% of residents (340 people) need daily assistance, broadly consistent with a mid-range socioeconomic area.
Is Sorell good for property investment?
Annual rent growth of 42% over the measured period is strong, but the vacancy rate of 4.6% is above the national norm. Net annual migration of 159 residents supports tenant demand, and the medium population forecast of 12,139 by 2031 adds to long-term demand. The 30-year house price CAGR of 7.1% is solid, though yield is thin at weekly rent of $350 against a $720,000 median.
How is Sorell's population changing?
Population grew 28.6% over the past decade and is rising at 1.95% annually, adding roughly 212 residents per year. Internal migration delivers a net 112 new residents annually and overseas migration adds 47 more. The medium forecast projects growth from 10,881 in 2025 to 12,139 by 2031, driven by people relocating from other parts of Australia.
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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