Urban Centre · Area profile
Swansea
2 km²
Low typical incomes and a high rate of outright home ownership define Swansea, where the typical household earns $913 a week. This is a community of retirees, with nearly half of all residents aged 65 or over and a typical age of 63. The area has shifted significantly since 2011, becoming far older as the number of children has fallen. It is a quiet, settled place where most people own their homes and live in detached houses.
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The population is far older than the national figure, with 46% of people aged 65 and over. This trend has accelerated quickly, as the typical age rose by 28 years since 2011 while the proportion of children under 15 fell by 14 points.
People born overseas make up 15% of the population, which is much higher than in most similar areas. English is the most common ancestry at 49.1%, and the number of overseas-born residents has risen since 2011.
English is the main language for 89.3% of the community. While the proportion of people using another language at home is higher than most similar areas, it remains well below the Tasmanian figure.
About 34.5% of residents have no religion, which is well below the national figure. This is a lower proportion than in most similar areas, although the figure has risen since 2011.
Many residents have not completed Year 12, a figure far below the national average. However, the proportion of adults with a bachelor degree or higher has risen 10 points since 2011.
Weekly incomes are much lower than the usual rates for both families and households. Only 1.9% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, which is among the lowest standing for this level.
Health challenges are common here, with 47.7% of people living with a long-term condition. This is far above the national figure, and the number of people needing help with daily activities has risen since 2011.
Volunteering is much more common here than in most similar areas, with 22.3% of people pitching in. The community also has a high number of former Defence Force members.
Homes are typically small, with only 1.9 people per house. This is well below the national figure and is consistent with the high number of people living alone (34.7%).
A striking 54.8% of homes are owned outright, which is far above the national figure. Most people live in separate houses, and typical weekly rents of $240 are lower than in most areas.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, with no one using public transport to commute. Working from home has become more common, rising to 8.8% since 2011.
Migration is relatively high, with 37.7% of people moving in the last five years. This includes a significant number of recent arrivals from overseas, which is much higher than in most similar areas.
Far fewer people are working or looking for work compared to the rest of the state. This is largely because so many residents are retirees; full-time employment has fallen 21 points since 2011.
The area is quite walkable, with 100% of homes within a 15-minute walk of a park. Most residents can also easily reach groceries, health services, and schools on foot.