Lyla Lindsey
Hobart, Australia's second-oldest capital city, is the administrative hub of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a British penal colony, the city has grown and declined over the years, facing challenges such as the 1967 Tasmanian fires and the 1975 Tasman Bridge disaster. In recent years, however, Hobart has gained a reputation as a cool and creative cultural capital, attracting tourists with its quirky events and art projects. The city's population is predominantly ethnically Anglo-Celtic, with a high percentage of Australian-born residents, but it has also seen a steady increase in overseas-born residents and indigenous people. While the population of the local government area of Hobart is around 53,684, the population of the greater Hobart area is part of Tasmania's population of 557,571 as of 2021.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 53,684 |
| Founding Date | 1804 |
| Founder | British |
| Purpose | Penal colony |
| Religion | 59% Christian |
| Occupation | 22% Professional |
| Ancestry | 32.9% English |
| Highest Education Level | 33.1% Bachelor's degree or higher |
| Ethnic Composition | Predominantly Anglo-Celtic |
| Tourist Attractions | Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Salamanca Place, North Hobart, Waterfront area, Elizabeth Street, Sandy Bay |
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What You'll Learn
Hobart's population growth
Hobart, Australia, is the country's second-oldest capital city, founded in 1804 as a British penal colony. It is the capital of Tasmania, the smallest of Australia's states, and serves as the financial and administrative hub of the state.
In the mid-20th century, the Tasmanian government invested in developing Hobart as a tourist attraction. The Lanherne Airport (now Hobart Airport) opened in 1956, and Australia's first legal casino, the Wrest Point Hotel Casino, followed in 1973. Despite these successes, Hobart faced challenges such as the 1967 Tasmanian fires and the 1975 Tasman Bridge disaster, which likely impacted its population growth.
In the 21st century, Hobart's population growth began to reverse the long-stagnant trend. Tasmania's recovering economy, coupled with Hobart's growing reputation as a "'cool'" and creative cultural hub, attracted increasing numbers of tourists and contributed to the city's population growth. The redevelopment of areas like the former Macquarie Point railyards and Parliament Square, as well as new hotel developments, further bolstered this growth.
According to the 2021 Census, the local government area of the City of Hobart, which includes suburbs like West Hobart, Lenah Valley, and South Hobart, has a population of 53,684. While Tasmania's growth rate has been slower than the rest of Australia in recent years, Hobart stands as the fastest-growing region within the state.
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Ethnic composition
Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, is predominantly ethnically Anglo-Celtic. It has the highest percentage of Australian-born residents among Australia's capital cities, with 59.2% of people born in Australia according to the 2016 census, rising to 71.2% in the 2016 census of Hobart (C), and predicted to reach 73.6% by the end of June 2025.
The most common ancestries in Hobart in 2016 were English (26.1%), Australian (20.1%), Irish (8.8%), Scottish (6.5%) and Chinese (6.5%). The 2011 census found that 18% of the population of greater Hobart was born overseas, particularly in England (3.9%), New Zealand (0.9%), China (0.7%), Scotland (0.5%) and Germany (0.5%). The most common ancestry groups in Greater Hobart were: English (32.9%), Australian (32.2%), Irish (8.2%), Scottish (6.6%), and German (2.7%).
In 2021, the three largest ancestries in West Hobart were English, Australian, and Irish. A larger percentage of people in West Hobart had English (43.3%) and Irish (15.6%) ancestry compared to the City of Hobart, which had 39.3% and 11.9% respectively. A smaller percentage of people in West Hobart had Chinese ancestry (4.5%) compared to the City of Hobart (8.5%).
The most common countries of birth for male parents in Hobart in 2016 were Australia (48.0%), England (5.4%), China (5.0%), India (2.0%) and Malaysia (2.0%). For female parents, the most common countries of birth were Australia (49.6%), China (5.1%), England (4.8%), India (2.2%) and Malaysia (1.6%). By 2016, in Hobart (C), the most common countries of birth for male parents were Australia (59.0%), England (6.6%), China (4.0%), India (1.6%) and New Zealand (1.5%). For female parents, the most common countries of birth were Australia (61.7%), England (5.8%), China (4.0%), New Zealand (1.5%) and India (1.5%).
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Religious composition
According to the 2021 census, 49.9% of Greater Hobart residents follow no religion. The Christian denomination constitutes the largest religious affiliation, with 37.1% of the population. Within this group, the largest Christian denominations are Anglicanism and Catholicism, each accounting for 14.1% of the population. Other Christian denominations include the United Church (3%), Presbyterian and Reformed (1.9-2%), and the Mormon community, which numbers around 700 people.
The remaining religious affiliations in Hobart include Hinduism (2.6%), Buddhism (1.3%-2.7%), Islam (1.3%), and Sikhism (0.6%). The presence of these religious groups reflects the diverse cultural backgrounds of the city's residents.
While Hobart's population is predominantly ethnically Anglo-Celtic, the city has experienced an influx of immigration from Asia and other non-English speaking regions. This diversity is also reflected in the languages spoken at home, with 82.6% of residents speaking only English, while other languages include Mandarin (2.6%-5.8%), Nepali (1.8%), Punjabi (0.7%), Cantonese (0.5%-1.3%), and Vietnamese (0.4%).
The religious composition of Hobart, Tasmania's capital, offers insight into the beliefs and cultural backgrounds of its residents. The significant proportion of residents who identify with no religion is noteworthy, as it highlights the secular nature of the city. At the same time, the presence of various Christian denominations and other religious groups adds to the cultural tapestry of this Australian city.
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Employment statistics
As of 2025, the population of Hobart, Australia, is estimated to be between 254,504 and 278,444. Hobart is the capital and most populous city in Tasmania, the Australian island state. The City of Hobart has a population of just 49,000, while the greater Hobart area is home to an estimated 218,000 people. The population density of Hobart is 124-141 people per square kilometre, making it the second least populated capital city in Australia after Darwin.
According to the 2016 Australian Bureau of Statistics, 88.4% of Hobart's population are Australian citizens, with a median employee income of $48,423. The workforce in Hobart is diverse, with various income levels. Approximately 30.8% earn below $500 per week, while 26.1% earn between $500 and $1000, and 22.6% earn between $1000 and $2000. A small percentage, around 5.6%, earn more than $2000 per week.
Education levels among the working population vary, with 46.4% of Hobart residents having completed high school or attained a higher level of education. Additionally, 25.9% have studied up to the 10th grade, and 8.4% have completed the 11th grade.
The total working force of Hobart city was estimated to be 150,668 in 2019, with a median age of 38 for males and 41 for females.
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History of Hobart
Hobart, Australia, founded in 1804, is Australia's second-oldest capital city after Sydney, New South Wales. It was originally inhabited by members of the semi-nomadic Mouheneener tribe, but the aboriginal population was quickly reduced by contact with Europeans. Violent conflicts, like the Australian frontier wars, and diseases brought by Europeans, decimated the indigenous population. The city was founded as a British penal colony, and its name comes from Robert Hobart, the 4th Earl of Buckinghamshire and the then-Secretary of State for War and the Colonies. Hobart's early history was defined by its use of convict labour, which was responsible for the construction of many of its oldest buildings, including the Cascade Brewery (1824) and the Cascades Female Factory (1828), now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The female convicts in the factory were employed in textile manufacturing and could be promoted to a "hiring class" after good behaviour, allowing them to be employed in domestic service or within the prison itself.
Hobart grew to become a centre of whaling and shipbuilding in the 19th century, serving as the Southern Ocean's main whaling port. However, it experienced an economic and population decline towards the end of the century. Penal transportation ended in the 1850s, and Tasmania was granted responsible self-government in 1856, with Hobart as its capital city. Hobart's growth has historically been slow due to its geographic isolation, and it has experienced boom and bust cycles throughout its history. The city faced challenges in the 20th century, including the 1967 Tasmanian fires and the 1975 Tasman Bridge disaster.
The early 20th century saw a period of growth driven by mining, agriculture, and other primary industries. However, the world wars had a negative impact on Hobart, resulting in a severe loss of working-age men. This was mitigated by an influx of migrants from Eastern and Southern Europe, contributing to the city's multicultural character. Today, Hobart is a major deep-water port for Southern Ocean shipping and the home port for Australian and French Antarctic operations. It is also a popular tourist destination, known for its well-preserved Georgian and Victorian-era buildings, eclectic architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. The city has gained a reputation as a "cool" and creative cultural hub, with attractions like the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) significantly impacting the local economy and tourism.
Hobart's landscape is dotted with urban parks and gardens, such as St David's Park, Franklin Square, and the Parliament or Salamanca Gardens. The city's housing has historically been small-scale but clustered in very small areas, with the highest concentration of heritage sites around the evolving city centre. The city's architecture reflects various periods of Australian history, with classical examples of Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian styles alongside more modern constructions.
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Frequently asked questions
The population of Hobart, Australia was 53,684 as of 2021. Hobart is the capital of Tasmania, the smallest of Australia's states.
Hobart is multi-cultural, but Australians account for most of the population. The city has a higher proportion of people with Australian and English heritage than the country as a whole. The most common ancestry groups in Greater Hobart are English (32.9%), Australian (32.2%), Irish (8.2%), Scottish (6.6%), and German (2.7%).
59% of residents in Hobart identified as Christian, with the most common affiliations being Anglican (26%), Catholic (20%), United Church (3%), and Presbyterian and Reformed (2%). Secular Beliefs and Other Spiritual Beliefs and No Religious Affiliation was the largest group reported overall (53.5%).
