# West Tamar

Council (LGA) · Area profile

Located in: Tasmania › Rest of Tas.

Area: 691 km²

Higher levels of overall advantage than most similar areas define West Tamar, where a growing population now exceeds 25,000 people. This is a noticeably older community, with a typical resident aged 45 and a large proportion of seniors. The area is overwhelmingly residential and car-dependent, featuring a high number of large, detached family homes. These characteristics combine to create a stable, well-established region that is generally more prosperous than the state average.

## Demographics & Identity

The community is aging, with 23.1% of people aged 65 and over, a figure well above the national average. Since 2011, the typical age has risen by 3 years to 45, while the proportion of children under 15 has fallen by 2.7 points.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total population | 25,145 | +15.3% since 2011 |
| Median age | 45 yrs | +7.1% since 2011 |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander population | 2.8% | +44.9% since 2011 |
| People aged 65 and over | 23.1% | +34.0% since 2011 |
| Children under 15 | 16.8% | -13.7% since 2011 |
| People in a de facto relationship | 11.6% | +23.7% since 2011 |

**Age structure** — Older adults (45–64) 27.9%, Seniors (65+) 23.1%, Young adults (25–44) 21.7%, Children (0–14) 16.8%, Youth (15–24) 10.5%

**Marital status** — Married 51.7%, Never married 29.7%, Divorced 9.8%, Widowed 5.7%, Separated 3.1%

## Ancestry & Birthplace

English and Australian ancestries are most common, with 45% and 41.8% respectively. While 15.4% of residents were born overseas, this is far below the national figure of 27.7%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People born overseas | 15.4% | +9.1% since 2011 |

**Country of birth** — Australia 79.8%, England 5.2%, New Zealand 1.1%, India 0.8%, Nepal 0.7%, South Africa 0.6%, China 0.4%, Philippines 0.4%, Italy 0.2%, Vietnam 0.2%

**Ancestry** — English 45.0%, Australian 41.8%, Scottish 10.2%, Irish 9.9%, Dutch 4.2%, German 3.7%, Italian 1.8%, Chinese 1.3%, Indian 0.8%, Filipino 0.6%, Greek 0.3%, Vietnamese 0.2%

## Language

English is the main language for 89.9% of the population. Only 5.7% of people use another language at home, which is a little below the state average, though this has risen by 2 points since 2011.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People using another language at home | 5.7% | +53.5% since 2011 |
| People who speak little or no English | 0.5% | +41.8% since 2016 |

**Language used at home** — English only 89.9%, Mandarin 0.6%, Punjabi 0.4%, Italian 0.2%, Cantonese 0.2%, Vietnamese 0.1%, Greek 0.1%, Hindi 0.1%, Arabic 0.1%, Tagalog 0.0%

## Religion

About half of the population (49.1%) reports having no religion, which is far above the national figure. This represents a significant shift, as the number of people with no religion rose 21 points since 2011.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with no religion | 49.1% | +76.0% since 2011 |

**Religious affiliation** — No religion 49.1%, Christianity 41.6%, Not stated 6.4%, Hinduism 1.2%, Buddhism 0.7%, Other religions 0.6%, Islam 0.4%, Judaism 0.1%

## Education & Qualifications

Educational attainment is high, with 20.7% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Year 12 completion has also improved, rising 8.7 points since 2011 to reach 45.8%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Completed Year 12 | 45.8% | +23.5% since 2011 |
| Adults with a bachelor degree or higher | 20.7% | +36.5% since 2011 |
| Schools | 8 | — |
| Schools per 1,000 children | 1.90 | — |
| School enrolments | 3,253 | — |
| Average school size | 407 | — |
| Average school ICSEA | 1,009 | — |

**Highest year of school** — Year 12 45.8%, Year 10 30.8%, Year 9 or below 8.9%, Year 11 8.5%

**Highest qualification level** — Certificate III / IV 33.2%, Bachelor degree 21.8%, Advanced diploma / diploma 15.1%, Postgraduate degree 7.7%, Graduate diploma / certificate 3.7%, Certificate I / II 2.7%

**Field of qualification** — Management & commerce 16.1%, Engineering & related 15.7%, Health 12.5%, Society & culture 11.1%, Education 10.4%, Architecture & building 6.2%, Food, hospitality & personal services 5.3%, Agriculture & environment 3.1%, Creative arts 3.0%, Natural & physical sciences 2.5%, Information technology 1.8%

## Income

Typical weekly household income is $1,402, which is about the same as the state average. While the typical personal income of $700 is a little below the national figure, it has risen by $183 since 2011.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median personal income (weekly) | $700 | +35.4% since 2011 |
| Median household income (weekly) | $1,402 | +36.4% since 2011 |
| Median family income (weekly) | $1,758 | +36.7% since 2011 |
| People earning $2,000+ a week | 8.1% | — |
| Households earning $3,000+ a week | 14.5% | — |

**Household income distribution** — $650–$1,499 31.8%, $1,500–$2,999 28.8%, Under $650 17.9%, $3,000–$3,999 8.3%, $4,000 or more 6.2%

**Personal income distribution** — Under $650 44.5%, $650–$1,499 32.2%, $1,500–$2,999 15.1%, $3,000 or more 2.4%

## Health & Disability

Health challenges are more common here than in most similar areas, with 34.4% of people reporting a long-term health condition. This includes a mental health rate of 10.8%, which is a little above the national figure.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with a long-term health condition | 34.4% | — |
| People with a mental health condition | 10.8% | — |
| People needing help with daily activities | 6.0% | +21.4% since 2011 |

**Long-term health conditions reported** — Arthritis 12.8%, Mental health 10.8%, Asthma 9.2%, Other condition 9.2%, Diabetes 4.9%, Heart disease 4.7%, Cancer 3.5%, Lung condition 2.5%, Stroke 1.3%, Dementia 0.6%

**Number of long-term health conditions** — None 58.4%, One condition 22.8%, Two conditions 7.7%, Three or more 3.8%

## Community Participation

Volunteering is more common here than across Australia, with 18.6% of residents contributing their time. There is also a notably high proportion of former Defence Force members at 4.4%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteers | 18.6% | -12.9% since 2011 |
| People providing unpaid care | 12.7% | +11.2% since 2011 |
| People caring for children unpaid | 25.7% | -10.5% since 2011 |
| People who served in the Defence Force | 4.4% | — |
| People doing 15+ hours of unpaid housework | 24.3% | -11.5% since 2011 |

## First Nations

First Nations residents are more prosperous than those in most similar areas, with a typical personal income of $656 and an unemployment rate of 7.3%, which is well below the national average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people | 695 | — |
| First Nations median age | 24 yrs | — |
| First Nations Year 12 completion | 36.5% | — |
| First Nations unemployment rate | 7.3% | — |
| First Nations median personal income | $656 | — |
| First Nations household income | $1,581 | — |
| Speaks a First Nations language | 1.3% | — |

## Family & Households

Family life is typical for the region, with 53% of households consisting of couples with children. Only 12.4% are one-parent families, which is well below the state average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average household size | 2.4 | -4.0% since 2011 |
| One-parent families | 12.4% | +5.3% since 2011 |
| People living alone | 25.9% | +10.5% since 2011 |

**Family composition** — Couples with children 53.0%, Couples without children 33.8%, One-parent families 12.4%, Other families 0.8%

**Household size** — 2 people 38.6%, 1 person 25.9%, 3 people 14.4%, 4 people 13.0%, 5 people 5.6%, 6 or more 2.4%

## Housing & Dwellings

Housing is dominated by separate houses, making up 96% of all dwellings. Many residents have high security in their housing, with 42.2% owning their home outright, far above the national figure of 31%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median rent (weekly) | $300 | +36.4% since 2011 |
| Median mortgage repayment (monthly) | $1,364 | +4.0% since 2011 |
| Average people per bedroom | 0.80 | -27.3% since 2011 |
| Households renting | 18.4% | +1.3% since 2011 |
| Homes owned outright | 42.2% | +1.6% since 2011 |
| Separate (detached) houses | 96.0% | +3.4% since 2011 |
| Homes with three or more bedrooms | 77.4% | +0.4% since 2011 |

**How homes are owned or rented** — Owned outright 42.2%, Owned with a mortgage 36.5%, Rented 18.4%, Not stated 1.6%, Other tenure 1.2%

**Types of homes** — Separate house 96.0%, Flat or apartment 1.9%, Townhouse / semi-detached 1.2%, Other dwelling 0.7%

**Bedrooms per home** — 3 bedrooms 46.1%, 4 bedrooms 25.2%, 2 bedrooms 17.7%, 5 or more 6.1%, 1 bedroom 3.1%, Studio / none 0.3%

**Weekly rent distribution** — $200–$349 49.0%, $350–$549 31.3%, Under $200 14.6%, $550–$749 1.9%, $750 or more 0.2%

**Monthly mortgage distribution** — $1,000–$1,799 43.8%, Under $1,000 25.9%, $1,800–$2,999 20.2%, $3,000 or more 6.0%

## Transport & Vehicles

The area is heavily reliant on cars, with only 0.6% of people commuting by public transport. This is reflected in the fact that very few homes (3%) have no motor vehicle.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Homes with no motor vehicle | 3.0% | -22.6% since 2011 |
| People working from home | 8.3% | +71.5% since 2011 |
| Commuting by public transport | 0.6% | -39.4% since 2011 |
| Public transport stops | 131 | — |
| PT stops per 1,000 people | 5.21 | — |
| Weekly PT departures per 1,000 people | 449.4 | — |
| Public transport routes | 19 | — |
| Drive time to the city (min) | 146 | — |

**How people get to work** — Car (driver) 69.6%, Worked at home 8.3%, Car (passenger) 4.5%, Walked 1.9%, Bus 0.6%, Bicycle 0.4%, Train 0.0%

**Motor vehicles per home** — 2 vehicles 38.4%, 1 vehicle 30.6%, 3 vehicles 16.9%, 4 or more 11.2%, No vehicle 3.0%

## Migration & Movement

The population is fairly mobile, with 36.5% of residents having moved in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals make up 9.7% of the community, which is well below the national figure.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People who moved in the last 5 years | 36.5% | +4.0% since 2011 |
| Recent arrivals from overseas | 9.7% | +11.4% since 2011 |

## Jobs & Industry

Health care and social assistance are the biggest employers, accounting for 17.8% of jobs. The unemployment rate is 4.8%, which is a little below the state average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | -11.5% since 2011 |
| Labour-force participation | 57.7% | -3.3% since 2011 |
| Employed full-time | 55.3% | -4.0% since 2011 |

**Industries people work in** — Health care & social assistance 17.8%, Education & training 10.3%, Retail trade 9.4%, Construction 9.1%, Manufacturing 7.5%, Accommodation & food 7.1%, Public administration & safety 5.3%, Professional & technical 4.9%, Transport & warehousing 4.1%, Other services 4.1%, Agriculture, forestry & fishing 3.6%, Wholesale trade 2.7%, Administrative & support 2.5%, Finance & insurance 2.4%, Electricity, gas & water 1.6%, Arts & recreation 1.5%, Rental & real estate 1.3%, Media & telecommunications 1.1%, Mining 1.0%

**Occupations people work in** — Professionals 21.4%, Technicians & trades 14.8%, Community & personal service 13.0%, Managers 12.7%, Clerical & administrative 11.7%, Labourers 9.2%, Sales workers 9.1%, Machinery operators & drivers 6.4%

## Economy & Advantage

The region ranks well in terms of prosperity, with an overall advantage score that is higher than about 65% of similar areas. It currently hosts 1,770 businesses.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile) | 7 | — |
| Socio-economic disadvantage (IRSD decile) | 7 | — |
| Economic resources (IER decile) | 7 | — |
| Education & occupation (IEO decile) | 7 | — |
| Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD score) | 970 | — |
| Population estimate | 26,136 | — |
| Population growth since 2021 | 1.6% | — |
| Businesses | 1,770 | — |
| Dwellings approved | 112 | — |

## Environment & Climate

The area receives more rain than the state average, with 912mm annually. It also experiences warmer average maximum and minimum temperatures compared to the rest of Tasmania.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average annual rainfall | 912 | — |
| Average maximum temperature | 17.4 | — |
| Average minimum temperature | 8.9 | — |

## Walkability

Most of the area is car-dependent, with a walkability score of 3.5, which is well below the state figure. Only 21.3% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of a school, far below the state average of 53.3%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Walkability score | 3.5 | — |
| Amenity types within a 15-minute walk | 3.4 | — |
| Homes with a 15-minute-city walkshed | 36.6% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of groceries | 39.2% | — |
| Homes within 10 min walk of public transport | 65.6% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a school | 21.3% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a park | 70.3% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of health services | 17.6% | — |
| Walkable amenities per 1,000 residents | 15.3 | — |
| Street connectivity (intersections/km²) | 4 | — |
| Mean terrain slope | 9.9% | — |

## Schools serving West Tamar

8 schools, 3,253 students, average ICSEA 1,009.

By sector: Government 6, Independent 1, Catholic 1

By type: Primary 5, Secondary 2, Combined 1

| School | Sector | Type | Distance | Students |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Launceston Christian School | Independent | Combined | — | 742 |
| Riverside Primary School | Government | Primary | — | 673 |
| Riverside High School | Government | Secondary | — | 624 |
| Exeter High School | Government | Secondary | — | 325 |
| Exeter Primary School | Government | Primary | — | 321 |
| Beaconsfield Primary School | Government | Primary | — | 244 |
| St Anthony's Catholic School | Catholic | Primary | — | 180 |
| Legana Primary School | Government | Primary | — | 144 |

## Areas within West Tamar

[Beauty Point - Beaconsfield](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/602021053/beauty-point-beaconsfield) · [Grindelwald - Lanena](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/602021055/grindelwald-lanena) · [Legana](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/602011039/legana) · [Riverside](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/602011046/riverside)

## Nearby areas

[George Town](https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA62210/george-town) · [Meander Valley](https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA64210/meander-valley) · [Latrobe](https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA63810/latrobe) · [Launceston](https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA64010/launceston) · [Devonport](https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA61610/devonport) · [Kentish](https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA63210/kentish) · [Northern Midlands](https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA64610/northern-midlands) · [Central Coast](https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA60810/central-coast)

Interactive profile: https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA65810/west-tamar