Snapshot of Tasmania

In the 2021 Census, the number of people counted as usual residents of Tasmania was 558,000. This was up from 510,000 in 2016. Fifty years ago, in 1971, the Census counted 372,000 people. In 2021, almost two-thirds of Tasmania's population (309,000) lived outside of the capital city area of Greater Hobart.

The median age (AGEP) for people from Tasmania has been on the rise. In 1971, the median age was 26 years. The median age was 42 years in both 2016 and 2021. The Australian median age was 38 years in 2021.

In the 2021 Census, 30,000 people identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin (INGP) in Tasmania, making up 5.4% of the population. This was an increase from nearly 24,000 counted in 2016, and higher than the Australian percentage of 3.2% in 2021.

For more information, see Tasmania: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population summary.

Most people in Tasmania were born in Australia (BPLP). The proportion of people who were born overseas has increased over time. In 1971, 10.2% of people were born overseas. This has increased to 12.0% in 2016, and 15.3% in 2021.

In 2021, the top five countries of birth in Tasmania were:

• Australia (79.1%)
• England (3.5%)
• China (1.2%)
• Nepal (1.1%)
• India (1.1%) 

In 2021, most people in Tasmania only used English at home (86.1%) (LANP). This was down from 88.3% in 2016.

After English the most common languages used were Mandarin (1.5%), Nepali (1.3%), Punjabi (0.5%) and Spanish (0.3%).

In 2021, the main religious affiliation (RELP) in Tasmania was Christianity (38.4%). This proportion has decreased over time as people reporting non-Christian religions and no religious affiliation have increased. In 2016, Christian affiliation was 49.7%, and in 1971 it was 88.7%.

In 2021, 4.5% of people in Tasmania were affiliated with a non-Christian religion. The most common were Hinduism (1.7%), Buddhism (1.0%) and Islam (0.9%). 

The percentage of people who identified as having no religious affiliation was 50.0% in 2021. This was an increase from 38.2% in 2016, and 5.1% in 1971.

In Tasmania, the median weekly income was $701 for individuals (INCP) and $1,720 for families (FINF) in 2021. These increased from 2016 when the incomes were $573 for individuals and $1,399 for families.

Households are getting smaller in Tasmania. In 2021, the average number of people who lived in each household was 2.4, a decrease from 3.4 people in 1971.

In 2021, 67.6% of households were family households. This was a slight increase from 67.1% in 2016.

The most common type of family in Tasmania was families with no children. In 2021, 44.5% of families were couples with no children and 17.3% were one parent families.

Based on place of enumeration. Excludes visitor only and other non-classifiable households.

Source: Household composition (HHCD)

The 2021 Census counted just over 229,000 occupied private dwellings across Tasmania. This was an increase from almost 210,000 in 2016. In 1971 there were just under 110,000 occupied private dwellings in Tasmania.

In 2021, most people lived in separate houses (87.7%), rather than flats, apartments or other dwelling types. This was a slight increase from 87.6% in 2016. Over this time the proportion of people who lived in semi-detached housing increased from 5.8% to 6.1%.

In 2021, 70.1% of households in Tasmania were homeowners (owned outright or with a mortgage). This was a slight increase from 69.2% in 2021.

Refers to occupied private dwellings and excludes visitor only and other non-classifiable households. Owned with a mortgage includes dwellings being purchased under a shared equity scheme. Rented excludes dwellings being occupied rent-free. Other tenure type and tenure type not stated represent remaining 3.5%.

Source: Tenure type (TEND)

For more detailed state specific data see the Snapshot of Tasmania data cube, available for download on the Snapshot of Australia page.