3235.0 - Population by Age and Sex, Regions of Australia, 2014 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 18/08/2015   
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TASMANIA


TOTAL POPULATION

At June 2014, the estimated resident population of Tasmania was 514,800 people. The state's population increased by 10,400 in the five years to 2014, with all four Tasmanian SA4s experiencing population growth. Hobart SA4 had the largest growth (up by 7,200 people), followed by Launceston and North East (1,500), South East (1,100) and West and North West (640).


AGE AND SEX DISTRIBUTION

The age distribution of Tasmania's population at June 2014 was characterised by a lower proportion of people aged 20 to 44 years (30%) than the Australian population (36%). This in part reflects a net outflow of young adults from Tasmania to pursue education and employment opportunities interstate. Tasmania also had a higher proportion of people aged 45 years and over (45%) than Australia as a whole (39%). This partly reflects a trend of adults in this age group moving into the state.

AGE AND SEX DISTRIBUTION (%), Tasmania - 30 June 2014
Diagram: AGE AND SEX DISTRIBUTION (%), Tasmania - 30 June 2014


MEDIAN AGE

At June 2014, the median age (the age at which half the population is older and half is younger) of the Tasmanian population was 41.5 years, the highest of all states and territories. Tasmania also had the largest increase in median age between 2009 and 2014, increasing by 1.8 years. The median age of males in 2014 was 40.6 years compared with 42.4 years for females.

Between 2009 and 2014, the median age increased in most of Tasmania’s SA2s. The areas with the highest median ages in 2014 were Triabunna - Bicheno (54.6 years), Forestier - Tasman (52.8) and St Helens - Scamander (51.6), all located on Tasmania's eastern seaboard. The lowest median age was in Mowbray (29.9 years) in Launceston, which is close to the University of Tasmania and other educational facilities. Rokeby (31.5 years) and Bridgewater - Gagebrook (31.7), both in Greater Hobart, had the next lowest median ages in the state.


CHILDREN (UNDER 15 YEARS OF AGE)

Tasmania had 94,600 children under 15 years of age at June 2014. The proportion of children in the population decreased from 19% in 2009 to 18% in 2014.

Bridgewater - Gagebrook (27%), Rokeby (26%) and Margate - Snug (24%), all in Greater Hobart, had the highest proportions of children in Tasmania in 2014.

Between 2009 and 2014, the largest increases in the number of children were in the SA2s of Margate - Snug (up by 250 people), Howrah - Tranmere (230) and Kingston - Huntingfield (180), all within commuting distance from Hobart. However, the proportion of children decreased in the majority of SA2s in Tasmania over this period.


WORKING AGE POPULATION (AGED 15-64 YEARS)

In the five years to 2014, Tasmania’s working age population decreased by 1,200 people to 328,700, accounting for 64% of the state's total population. This was the lowest proportion of all states and territories in 2014.

Hobart SA2 had the highest proportion of population aged 15 to 64 years (76%) in Tasmania, followed by Mount Nelson - Dynnyrne (73%) in Greater Hobart and Invermay in Launceston (72%).

Margate - Snug (up by 460 people), and Huonville - Franklin (320) both in the south of Hobart, had the largest growth in working age population between 2009 and 2014.

WORKING AGE POPULATION (AGED 15-64 YEARS), Statistical Areas Level 2, Tasmania - 30 June 2014
Diagram: WORKING AGE POPULATION (AGED 15-64 YEARS), Statistical Areas Level 2, Tasmania - 30 June 2014



PEOPLE AGED 65 YEARS AND OVER

At June 2014, there were 91,500 people aged 65 years and over in Tasmania. The proportion of Tasmania's population aged 65 years and above increased from 15% in 2009 to 18% in 2014. This was the highest proportion of all states and territories in 2014, just ahead of South Australia (17%).

The SA2 of Triabunna - Bicheno had the highest proportion of people aged 65 years and over (29%), reflecting its popularity as a place to retire. This was followed by Forestier - Tasman (27%) and St Helens - Scamander (25%). These SA2s are all located on Tasmania's eastern seaboard.


SEX RATIO

At June 2014, the population of Tasmania consisted of 256,500 males and 258,300 females. This equates to a sex ratio of 99.3 males per 100 females, up from 98.5 in 2009.

Risdon Vale, in Hobart's northern suburbs, was the SA2 with the highest sex ratio (139.6 males per 100 females) due in part to the male population of Risdon Prison. The next highest sex ratios were in Waratah (118.3) in the north-west of the state, and West Coast (117.7).

The lowest sex ratios were in Ravenswood (87.2) and Newstead (88.8), both in Launceston, and Parklands - Camdale (88.1), west of Burnie.

MALES PER 100 FEMALES, Statistical Areas Level 2, Tasmania - 30 June 2014
Diagram: MALES PER 100 FEMALES, Statistical Areas Level 2, Tasmania - 30 June 2014