2016 Census: Tasmania

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MEDIA RELEASE
27 June 2017

069/2017
One in every five Tasmanians aged 65 years and over

With nearly one in every five people aged 65 years and over, Tasmanians have the highest median age (42) of all the States and Territories, four years above the national average, according to 2016 Census data released today.

It has been less than 10 months since the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) took the pulse of the nation to find out who we are, how we live, what we do, and where we’re headed.

The Census was used to update Tasmania’s estimated resident population, which at 31 December, 2016 had grown to 519,050 people.

The Census counted 509,965 usual residents of Tasmania on Census night, a 2.9 per cent increase from 2011. For the second consecutive Census, the Apple Isle has shown the lowest growth of all States and Territories.

The area of Sorell - Dodges Ferry, east of Hobart, was the State’s fastest growing region, with a population increase of 8.3 per cent to 16,000 people, up from 15,000 people in 2011. The Huon - Bruny Island region in the State’s south was Tasmania’s next fastest growing region. Its population increased to 19,000 from 18,000 (up 6.7 per cent) in 2011.

The influence of Chinese migration was clear in Tasmania, with China, behind only England and New Zealand, reported to be the third most common country of birth outside Australia, followed by Scotland, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Over the past five years, the proportion of Tasmanians born in China has increased from 0.4 per cent in 2011 to 0.6 per cent in 2016. As a result of this shift, Mandarin is now the most commonly spoken language other than English in Tasmanian homes, followed by Nepali (0.3 per cent).

A total of 23,572 Tasmanians reported having Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origins, an increase of 3,947 people since 2011.

The median weekly rent for a dwelling in Tasmania increased by 15 per cent over the past five years (to $230), while the state’s median monthly mortgage repayment remained unchanged from 2011 at $1300 – both well below the national figures of $335 rent and $1,755 mortgage repayments respectively.

Although they have Australia’s lowest housing costs, Tasmanians also have the lowest median weekly income in the country at $573, almost $100 a week lower than national figure ($662). The Hobart Local Government Area had the State’s highest median income of $718 per week.

Australian Statistician David W. Kalisch said Census data is high quality, thanks to the participation of Australians.

“The Independent Assurance Panel I established to provide extra assurance and transparency of Census data quality concluded that the 2016 Census data can be used with confidence,” Mr Kalisch said.

“The 2016 Census had a response rate of 95.1 per cent and a net undercount of 1.0 per cent. This is a quality result, comparable to both previous Australian Censuses and Censuses in other countries, such as New Zealand, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

“Furthermore, 63 per cent of people completed the Census online, embracing the digital-first approach and contributing to faster data processing and data quality improvements.

“2016 Census data provides a detailed, accurate and fascinating picture of Australia, which will be used to inform critical policy, planning and service delivery decisions for our communities over the coming years,” he said.

Census data is available free online. Use one of our easy tools such as QuickStats and Community Profiles to access the latest data for your area or topic of interest.

You can also attend one of our free Seminars. To find out more about Census Data Seminar series, or to register, go to the ABS website.



Tasmania

2016
2011

Usual resident count
509,965
495,354

Population growth
2.9%

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
23,572
19,625

Median age
42
40

Sex
Male
48.9%
49.0%
Female
51.1%
51.0%

Born overseas
61,077 (12.0%)
57,524 (11.6%)

Country of birth (top 5 outside Australia) %
1.
England – 18,776 (3.7%)
England – 19,468 (3.9%)
2.
New Zealand – 4,977 (1.0%)
New Zealand – 4,927 (1.0%)
3.
China – 3,036 (0.6 %)
Scotland – 2,715 (0.5%)
4.
Scotland – 2,283 (0.4%)
Netherlands – 2,376 (0.5%)
5.
Netherlands – 2,193 (0.4%)
Germany – 2,191 (0.4%)

Languages spoken at home (top 4) %
1.
English – 450,411 (88.3%)
English – 454,119 (91.7%)
2.
Mandarin – 3,971 (0.8%)
Mandarin – 2,087 (0.4%)
3.
Nepali – 1,647 (0.3%)
German – 1,666 (0.3%)
4.
German – 1,576 (0.3%)
Italian – 1,288 (0.3%)

Religious affiliation (top 3) %
1.
No Religion – 192,515 (37.8%)
No Religion – 139,394 (28.1%)
2.
Anglican – 103,839 (20.4%)
Anglican – 128,711 (26.0%)
3.
Catholic – 79,454 (15.6%)
Catholic – 88,838 (17.9%)

Registered marital status (over 15 years old) %
Married
193,360 (46.1%)
190,899 (47.5%)
Separated
14,675 (3.5%)
13,087 (3.3%)
Divorced
43,274 (10.3%)
39,593 (9.9%)
Widowed
26,962 (6.4%)
26,246 (6.5%)
Never married
141,488 (33.7%)
131,656 (32.8%)

Median income (weekly)
Individual
$573
$499
Family
$1,399
$1,202
Household
$1,100
$948

Family composition %
Couple with children
38.2%
39.7%
Couple without children
43.1%
42.1%
One parent families
17.4%
17.0%
Other family types
1.3%
1.3%

*All numbers based on Place of Usual Residence



Dwellings
2016
2011

Occupied private dwellings
197,575
192,813
Median household rent (weekly)
$230
$200
Median household mortgage repayments (monthly)
$1,300
$1,300
Median bedrooms per household
3
3
Average number of people per household
2.3
2.4

Household composition %
Family households
67.1%
68.8%
Single (or lone) person households
29.6%
28.0%
Group households
3.3%
3.2%

*All numbers based on Place of Enumeration, excludes visitor only and other non-classifiable households