Hobart is the capital and the most populous city in Tasmania, the Australian island state. The city was founded as a penal colony in 1804, which makes it the second oldest capital in Australia after Sydney. The greater Hobart population is estimated at 218,000 in 2014, which ranks 11th in Australia.
City Size and Population Density
The greater Hobart area has a population estimated at 218,000, up from 211,600 in 2011. The City of Hobart, however, has a population of just 49,000. Hobart has a population density of 125 people per square kilometer or 324 people per square mile. The most densely populated areas in Hobart are West Moonah (2,100 people per square kilometer), Moonah (1,900/sq km) and Sandy Bay (1,700/sq km).
History in Hobart
Hobart was originally inhabited by members of the semi-nomadic Mouheneener tribe, although the aboriginal population was quickly reduced by contact with Europeans. Along with violent conflicts, the inhabitants also suffered from disease brought by Europeans, and they were replaced with free settlers and the convict population.
Hobart Demographics
Hobart is multi-cultural, but Australians account for most of the population. The number of people who were born overseas continues to grow as well, while the number of indigenous people continues to increase steadily. The census found in 2011 that there were 6,900 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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%). Hobart has an Australian and English population higher than average for the country as a whole but on par with the rest of Tasmania.
59% of residents in Hobart specified Christian as their religion, with the most common affiliations being Anglican (26%), Catholic (20%), United Church (3%), Presbyterian and Reformed (2%). There is also a Mormon community of around 700 people and a Jewish community of about 200.
The most common occupation in Hobart is Professional (22%), followed by Clerical and Administrative workers (16%), Technicians and Trade workers (14%) and Community/Personal Service workers (11.5%).
Hobart Population Growth
Tasmania had slower growth than the rest of Australia over the last four years at just 0.2%, compared to 1.6% for Australia as a whole. This was the lowest growth among all territories and states. Hobart was the fastest-growing region in Tasmania, however.