Summerhill
At 82.1% separate houses and a median age of 38 (2 years below the national figure), Summerhill reads as a practical family suburb in greater Launceston rather than a lifestyle destination. Household income sits at the 33.3rd percentile nationally, so the suburb is noticeably below the national average on earnings, yet mortgage-to-income at 22.6% and rent-to-income at 22.2% both stay well below the 30% stress threshold. The SEIFA IEO decile of 2 flags genuine educational and occupational disadvantage, which is unusual given the neighbourhood's detached-dominant, owner-occupier profile. Healthcare accounts for 27.3% of the local workforce, making it the defining employer of the area.
Population
3,139
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,327/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$637K
YTD 2026
The median house price reached $637,150 in YTD 2026, up from $550,000 in 2024, a 15.8% rise over two years. That climb brings the price-to-annual-household-income ratio to roughly 9.2 times, above what the 33.3rd-percentile income would comfortably support for first-time buyers. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, which translates to a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.6%, below the 30% stress benchmark and lower than most capital-city markets. The stock is 82.1% separate houses, so detached living is the norm here rather than the exception. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 60.8%, followed by four-plus bedrooms at 17.8%, giving buyers a mainstream family-sized market. Outright owners at 32.7% and mortgage holders at 40.1% reflect a mortgage-belt suburb still building equity rather than holding it debt-free.
For Buyers
The median house price reached $637,150 in YTD 2026, up from $550,000 in 2024, a 15.8% rise over two years. That climb brings the price-to-annual-household-income ratio to roughly 9.2 times, above what the 33.3rd-percentile income would comfortably support for first-time buyers. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, which translates to a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.6%, below the 30% stress benchmark and lower than most capital-city markets. The stock is 82.1% separate houses, so detached living is the norm here rather than the exception. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 60.8%, followed by four-plus bedrooms at 17.8%, giving buyers a mainstream family-sized market. Outright owners at 32.7% and mortgage holders at 40.1% reflect a mortgage-belt suburb still building equity rather than holding it debt-free.
For Investors
Renters make up 27.2% of households, providing a steady but not deep tenant pool. Weekly rent sits at $295, which against the $637,150 median implies a gross yield around 2.4%, below typical investor targets but above the near-zero yields seen in Sydney premium markets. The vacancy rate of 5.9% is elevated and warrants attention because it signals more supply than active demand in the rental segment. Population growth of 0.54% annually and net overseas migration averaging just 16 per year means demand-side drivers are thin. Internal migration runs at a net negative 58 per year, suggesting the suburb is losing more residents to other regions than it gains. Rent grew 31.8% over the measured period, outpacing income growth of 20.3%, which has compressed rental affordability and may moderate future rent rises.
Schools in Summerhill iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Summerdale Primary School
K-6 · 555 students
Demographics
The median age of 38 is 2 years below the national figure, reflecting the family-formation households concentrated here. Overseas-born residents at 8.4% are 13.2 percentage points below the national average, making this one of the more Anglo-Celtic communities in TAS. The top ancestries are English (1,529 residents), Irish (304) and Scottish (276), a lineage pattern typical of older Tasmanian settlements. University qualifications reach 21.8% of residents, which is 8.3 points below national, consistent with the IEO decile 2 ranking that flags occupational and educational disadvantage. Average household size is 2.4, marginally below the national figure of 2.5. Couples with children account for 966 families and couples without children for 667, confirming the suburb skews toward active family households rather than empty-nesters.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
82.1%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
17.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Price history shows consistent growth: from $89,500 in 1996 to $637,150 in 2026, a CAGR of 6.8% over 30 years, and the 2026 figure is also the peak. The trough of $85,750 in 1998 is now a distant reference point. Tenure splits into 32.7% owned outright, 40.1% with a mortgage, and 27.2% renting, a classic mortgage-belt profile where most owner-occupiers are still paying off their home. Separate houses at 82.1% dominate, with apartments at 17.9%. The three-bedroom house at 60.8% of stock sets the standard here, compared to a national mix with more two-bedroom dwellings and apartments. Mortgage-to-income at 22.6% is below the 30% stress line, but because household incomes rank at only the 33.3rd percentile nationally, the affordability buffer is narrower than the ratio alone suggests.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wk
$295
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$732
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.9%
Unoccupied
79
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.6%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.0%
Couples, no children
2,473
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant employer at 27.3% of the workforce (262 workers), followed by Construction at 11.5% (110) and Education at 11.2% (107), with Retail at 6.8% and Public Admin at 5.7%. This three-sector concentration in care and construction explains why community and personal service workers (247) are the largest occupation group, ahead of clerical and admin (225) and professionals (220). The SEIFA IRSD decile of 4 indicates relative disadvantage compared to the national median, and the IEO decile of 2 sits near the bottom nationally for educational and occupational outcomes. Unemployment is 4.6% with a participation rate of 59.6%, leaving 846 residents outside the labour force. Full-time employment at 60.7% of employed residents is moderate, consistent with a service-oriented local economy.
Unemployment
3.1%
Labour Force
2,668
Unemployed
84
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.7%
Part-time
34.7%
Participation
59.6%
Employed
1,454
Occupations
Top Industries
University
21.8%
Postgraduate
3.6%
Born Overseas
8.4%
Dwellings
1,271
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 91.6% commuting as drivers, compared to the national average, because public transport usage at 1.2% and walking or cycling at 1.1% are minimal. This reflects a suburban Launceston geography without heavy rail and limited bus frequency. The IRSAD decile of 3 places Summerhill in the lower-disadvantage tier nationally, meaning most basic services are accessible but economic resources are below average. Rent-to-income at 22.2% and mortgage-to-income at 22.6% both stay below 30%, so housing costs are manageable relative to incomes. Volunteering at 14.5% and the need-assistance rate of 6.9% (208 residents) are consistent with a stable, established neighbourhood. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families depend on schools in neighbouring parts of Launceston.
Drive
91.6%
Public Transport
1.2%
Walk / Cycle
1.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.54%/yr
(+27 people/yr)
EstablishedSummerhill's population grew 10.1% over the decade, equivalent to 0.54% annually and about 27 persons per year. The medium forecast projects the broader SA2 reaching 5,222 by 2031 from its current 4,989, modest but steady. Overseas migration contributes a positive 16 persons per year, offset by net internal outflow of 58, leaving natural increase as the main growth engine. The gentrification score of 39 (IEO shift data) indicates early signs of change, because affordability improved from 43.6% in 2011 to 38.8% in 2021, and real incomes grew 20.3%. The young-adult share fell 0.8 points while the senior share rose 2.7 points, so the suburb is aging slowly. Rent grew 31.8% over the period, faster than incomes, which narrows affordability for new renters entering the market.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+16
Net Internal / yr
-58
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Summerhill compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Summerhill a good suburb to live in?
Summerhill suits families who prioritise detached housing and manageable housing costs over urban amenity. The mortgage-to-income ratio is 22.6% and rent-to-income 22.2%, both well below the 30% stress threshold. The main trade-offs are a SEIFA IEO decile of 2 (near-bottom for education and occupation nationally) and very limited public transport at 1.2% of commuters.
What is the median house price in Summerhill?
The median house price is $637,150 as of YTD 2026, up from $550,000 in 2024 and $585,000 in 2025. Weekly rent averages $295 and monthly mortgage repayments around $1,300. Over 30 years prices have grown at a CAGR of 6.8%, from $89,500 in 1996.
What schools are in Summerhill?
No schools are recorded inside the Summerhill suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Launceston suburbs. The local university qualification rate is 21.8%, which is 8.3 percentage points below the national average, consistent with the suburb's IEO decile 2 ranking.
Is Summerhill safe?
Detailed crime rate data is not available for Summerhill in this dataset. As context, the suburb has a SEIFA IRSD decile of 4, placing it in the lower-to-mid disadvantage range nationally. The need-assistance rate is 6.9% (208 residents) and volunteering runs at 14.5%, both consistent with a stable, established residential area.
Is Summerhill good for property investment?
Rent of $295 per week against a $637,150 median implies a gross yield near 2.4%, below typical investor benchmarks. The 5.9% vacancy rate is elevated compared to tight markets. Demand drivers are modest: overseas migration adds only 16 per year and internal migration is net negative 58. Rent grew 31.8% over the measured period, supporting some income growth potential.
How is Summerhill's population changing?
Population grew 10.1% over the decade at 0.54% annually, adding about 27 persons per year. The medium forecast projects slow continued growth to 5,222 by 2031. The suburb is aging gradually, with the senior share up 2.7 points and the young-adult share down 0.8 points over the decade. Internal migration is net negative 58 per year.
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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