Federal Electorate · Area profile
Franklin
6,405 km²
Stretching across 6,404 square kilometres of the Huon Valley, Franklin is a sprawling Tasmanian community with a growing population of 111,833 people. It is a place where older residents are common, with a significant number of seniors and a strong presence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The area is defined by a high proportion of detached housing and a workforce with a strong educational background. This creates a community that feels rooted and established, blending a traditional rural layout with a modern, well-qualified population.
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The typical resident is 41, and the area has a much higher proportion of seniors than most similar places, with 20.9% aged 65 and over. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 5.3% of the population, which is much higher than most areas.
English and Australian are the most common ancestries. While the proportion of people born overseas is far below the national figure at 16.4%, this number has risen by 3.8 points since 2011.
English is the main language for 86.9% of the community. Only 8.5% of people use another language at home, which is far below the national figure, and very few people speak little or no English.
A majority of residents report no religion, at 51.2%, which is far above the national figure and among the highest for similar areas. This figure has risen by 22 points since 2011.
The workforce is well-qualified, with 26.8% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, which is well above the state average. Year 12 completion has also risen by 12 points since 2011 to reach 54.7%.
Typical weekly family income is $1,910, which is a little below the national figure. While incomes have risen since 2011, typical household earnings of $1,536 remain lower than in most similar areas.
Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 32.8% of people living with a long-term health condition. Mental health conditions are also much more frequent than the national average.
Residents are highly active in their community, with 19.3% volunteering, which is well above the national figure. A higher than usual number of people also provide unpaid care for children or do extensive housework.
Family life is typical for the region, with 2.5 people per home. About 25.7% of people live alone, which is well below the Tasmanian average.
Separate houses dominate the landscape, making up 93.4% of homes. Ownership is high, with 38.6% of homes owned outright, and renting is much less common here than in most other areas.
Car travel is the primary way to get around, and the drive time to the city is among the highest for its level. However, there is a strong network of public transport stops relative to the population.
The area has seen a moderate amount of movement, with 36.5% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 14.4% of the population, a figure that has risen since 2011.
About 59.7% of adults are working or looking for work, and the unemployment rate is 5.2%. The most common industries for workers are health care and social assistance, followed by education and training.
The area is somewhat walkable, with a score of 4.5. While 81% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of a park, fewer people can easily walk to groceries or health services compared to the state average.