West Moonah
With 32.3% of residents born overseas, well above the national average, West Moonah stands as one of Hobart's most internationally diverse inner suburbs within a compact 1.82 km2 footprint. University qualifications reach 45.4%, which is 15.3 points above the national figure, yet SEIFA places the suburb at IRSD decile 3, indicating meaningful disadvantage alongside this educational attainment. Median house prices reached $700,100 in YTD 2026, a 7.3% compound annual growth rate from $84,000 in 1996. The suburb has a median age of 34, six years below the national average, pointing to a young workforce-age population driving the area's recent gentrification score of 64.
Population
4,522
Median Age
34.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,491/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$700K
YTD 2026
The $700,100 median house price represents a 12% rise from $625,000 in 2024 to $700,100 in 2026, indicating recent momentum. Separate houses dominate at 80.1% of stock, higher than most inner Hobart suburbs, with 3-bedroom dwellings the most common at 43.6%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,430, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.1%, below the 30% stress threshold. Four-plus bedroom homes make up 23.7%, above average for the region, while apartments remain a small segment at 12.2%. The 29.7% of households on a mortgage face manageable repayment loads compared to mainland capital cities, and outright owners at 28.6% represent a stable base of long-term holders.
For Buyers
The $700,100 median house price represents a 12% rise from $625,000 in 2024 to $700,100 in 2026, indicating recent momentum. Separate houses dominate at 80.1% of stock, higher than most inner Hobart suburbs, with 3-bedroom dwellings the most common at 43.6%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,430, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.1%, below the 30% stress threshold. Four-plus bedroom homes make up 23.7%, above average for the region, while apartments remain a small segment at 12.2%. The 29.7% of households on a mortgage face manageable repayment loads compared to mainland capital cities, and outright owners at 28.6% represent a stable base of long-term holders.
For Investors
Rental demand is robust, with 41.7% of households renting, well above the national average, at a median $340 per week. Against the $700,100 median, this implies a gross yield near 2.5%. The vacancy rate sits at 4.9%, slightly elevated compared to tight Hobart markets, suggesting tenants have some choice. Overseas migration of 55 residents per year is the primary demand driver, as internal migration runs at a net outflow of 160 per year. The 10-year population growth of 16.5% and forecast medium-scenario growth to 4,520 by 2031 from 4,522 today suggests the suburb is stabilising rather than expanding. Price history from $84,000 in 1996 to $700,100 in 2026, a 733.5% total gain, illustrates the long-run capital growth story.
Schools in West Moonah iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Hilliard Christian School
Prep-10 · 248 students
Springfield Gardens Primary School
K-6 · 192 students
Demographics
The median age of 34 is 6 years below the national figure, which explains the suburb's high share of renters and working-age households. Overseas-born residents at 32.3% are 10.7 points above the national average, with Nepali (192 speakers) the most prominent non-English language, ahead of Punjabi (63), Mandarin (53) and Hindi (39). This reflects migration patterns from South Asia and Southeast Asia rather than the traditional European ancestry. English ancestry leads at 1,464 residents, followed by Irish (399) and Scottish (329). Hinduism at 456 adherents is the second religion after Christianity (1,584), consistent with the South Asian community. Average household size of 2.6 is 0.1 above national, and 26.7% of families are couples without children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
80.1%
Houses
7.7%
Townhouse
12.2%
Apartment
Tenure
The price series ran from $84,000 in 1996 to $700,100 in 2026, a 733.5% total gain at a 7.3% CAGR over 30 years, reaching a new peak in YTD 2026. Tenure is broadly split: 28.6% own outright, 29.7% hold a mortgage, and 41.7% rent, making the suburb decisively renter-majority compared to state and national owner-occupier benchmarks. Stock is dominated by separate houses at 80.1%, with apartments at 12.2% and semi-detached at 7.7%. Three-bedroom homes lead at 43.6%, followed by four-plus bedrooms at 23.7% and two-bedroom dwellings at 25.2%. Mortgage-to-income at 22.1% and rent-to-income at 22.8% both sit below the 30% stress threshold, meaning neither buyers nor renters face acute housing cost pressure relative to local incomes.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,430
Rent / wk
$340
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$727
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.9%
Unoccupied
89
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.7%
Couples, no children
3,322
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant employer at 21.9% of resident workers (368 people), followed by Education at 10.1% (170), Hospitality at 9.6% (162) and Public Admin at 9.5% (159). This public and social service employment mix explains why incomes sit at the 46.6th percentile nationally, middle-range rather than high despite strong education levels. Professionals (459) lead occupations, followed by Community/Personal Service workers (410) and Labourers (281). Unemployment runs at 8.3%, above the national average, and the participation rate at 63.2% is moderate. Full-time employment accounts for 57.0% of employed residents, with 1,113 people not in the labour force at all. The IRSD decile of 3 and IRSAD decile of 3 indicate relative disadvantage that coexists with the suburb's high educational attainment at 45.4% university-qualified.
Unemployment
5.1%
Labour Force
3,243
Unemployed
166
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.0%
Part-time
34.7%
Participation
63.2%
Employed
2,191
Occupations
Top Industries
University
45.4%
Postgraduate
16.3%
Born Overseas
32.3%
Dwellings
1,720
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 78.8% driving to work, above the national average, with public transport used by only 7.5% of commuters, reflecting Hobart's limited transit network. Walking or cycling accounts for 3.1% of journeys to work. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families rely on nearby Moonah and Glenorchy institutions. The IRSAD decile of 3 places West Moonah in the lower-advantage tier nationally, and 5.5% of residents (241 people) need daily assistance, somewhat above average. Crime data is not available in this dataset, but the IRSD disadvantage decile of 3 is typically correlated with higher-than-average community stress indicators. Volunteering at 18.1% suggests a reasonably active community despite the lower SEIFA scores. Rent-to-income at 22.8% keeps housing costs manageable for tenants in absolute terms.
Drive
78.8%
Public Transport
7.5%
Walk / Cycle
3.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.62%/yr
(+26 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation fell from 4,333 in 2023 to 4,227 in 2025, a contraction of 2.4%, before a current estimate of 4,522 (note: the current figure reflects a different base period). The 10-year population change of 16.5% represents meaningful growth compared to many Tasmanian suburbs. The forecast medium scenario projects gradual growth to 4,520 by 2031, adding roughly 26 persons per year at 0.62% annually. Net internal outflow of 160 per year is the primary constraint, partially offset by overseas migration of 55 per year. The gentrification shift score of 64 at the Active stage indicates real change: real incomes rose 14.6%, rents climbed 51.1%, and the working-age share increased 3.1 points over the decade, consistent with an inflow of younger, qualified residents replacing lower-income households.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+55
Net Internal / yr
-160
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -160/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How West Moonah compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Moonah a good suburb to live in?
West Moonah offers affordable housing relative to mainland cities, with mortgage repayments averaging $1,430 per month and a rent-to-income ratio of 22.8%, well below the 30% stress threshold. The suburb scores IRSD decile 3, indicating lower advantage nationally, but university qualifications at 45.4% are 15.3 points above the national figure, and the young median age of 34 reflects an active workforce community.
What is the median house price in West Moonah?
The median house price is $700,100 as of YTD 2026, up from $625,000 in 2024. This represents a 12% two-year rise. The long-run CAGR since 1996 is 7.3% per year, compounding from $84,000 to $700,100. Weekly rent averages $340 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,430.
What schools are in West Moonah?
No schools are recorded within the West Moonah suburb boundary in this dataset. Families typically use schools in neighbouring Moonah and Glenorchy. Despite this, the suburb's population is highly qualified, with 45.4% holding university degrees, which is 15.3 points above the national figure.
Is West Moonah safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for West Moonah in this dataset. As context, the suburb scores IRSD decile 3, placing it in the lower-advantage tier nationally, which is typically associated with higher community stress. However, 18.1% of residents volunteer, and housing stress is low with rent-to-income at 22.8% and mortgage-to-income at 22.1%.
Is West Moonah good for property investment?
The rental market is active, with 41.7% of households renting at $340 per week, implying a gross yield near 2.5% against the $700,100 median. The 30-year CAGR of 7.3% shows strong long-run capital growth. Vacancy at 4.9% is slightly elevated compared to tighter Hobart suburbs, and net internal outflow of 160 people per year tempers demand. Overseas migration of 55 per year provides partial offset.
How is West Moonah's population changing?
The suburb grew 16.5% over the past 10 years. Medium forecasts project the population reaching 4,520 by 2031 from 4,522 currently, essentially flat, growing at 0.62% per year. Net internal migration is negative at 160 outflows per year, while overseas migration adds 55 residents annually. The suburb's gentrification score of 64 at the Active stage shows real income and demographic change underway.
What languages are spoken in West Moonah?
About 32.3% of residents were born overseas, which is 10.7 points above the national figure. Nepali is the most common non-English language with 192 speakers, followed by Punjabi (63), Mandarin (53), Hindi (39) and Greek (29). This reflects significant South Asian migration, with Hinduism practiced by 456 residents, the second religion after Christianity at 1,584.
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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