South Hobart vs Ridgeway

South Hobart is the younger of the two, with a median age of 38 against 41 in Ridgeway. In both, most households own their home and most homes are detached houses. In Ridgeway, most households are couple families. South Hobart is closer to the city centre: 5 km, against 7.1 km. On these figures, South Hobart tends to suit people living alone, while Ridgeway suits families with children and couples.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

They split

one each way, out of the 5 things we measure here

  • South Hobart has more childcare (4 vs 0)
  • Ridgeway is already more of a family suburb (80% vs 46%)

Weighs schools, house stock, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Too close to call

Nothing among the 1 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs mortgage stress.

Renters

They split

one each way, out of the 3 things we measure here

  • South Hobart has a bigger rental market to choose from (34% vs 17%)
  • Ridgeway leaves renters under less rental stress (16% vs 21%)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

South Hobart

ahead on 3 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (27/100 vs 16/100)
  • has a shorter drive in (11 min vs 16 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (5 km vs 7.1 km)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

South Hobart

ahead on 3 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (3 vs 0)
  • is more walkable (27/100 vs 16/100)
  • has more residents already 65 and over (18% vs 12%)

Weighs who already lives there, GPs, and walkability.

Investors

Ridgeway

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (26.9% vs 10.8%)

Weighs population growth.

Where they sit

South Hobart and Ridgeway drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

South Hobart Ridgeway
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

South Hobart Ridgeway
Walkability 27 / 16
South Hobart — Walkability: 27/100 Ridgeway — Walkability: 16/100
Low fire risk 4 / 3
South Hobart — Low fire risk: 4/100 Ridgeway — Low fire risk: 3/100

Demographics

South Hobart has more residents (5,886 vs 222); Ridgeway has higher household incomes ($132,860 vs $92,924).

South Hobart Ridgeway
Population 5,886
+96% vs other
 222
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +10.8% +26.9%
Median age 38 41
Median household income $92,924/yr $132,860/yr
+43% vs other
Median weekly rent $378/wk $400/wk
+6% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

South Hobart Ridgeway
0-4 4.1% / 4.1%
South Hobart — 0-4: 4.1% Ridgeway — 0-4: 4.1%
5-14 10.9% / 25.7%
South Hobart — 5-14: 10.9% Ridgeway — 5-14: 25.7%
15-19 5.9% / 4.1%
South Hobart — 15-19: 5.9% Ridgeway — 15-19: 4.1%
20-24 6.8% / 1.4%
South Hobart — 20-24: 6.8% Ridgeway — 20-24: 1.4%
25-34 17.4% / 6.8%
South Hobart — 25-34: 17.4% Ridgeway — 25-34: 6.8%
35-44 13.8% / 16.2%
South Hobart — 35-44: 13.8% Ridgeway — 35-44: 16.2%
45-54 12.4% / 15.3%
South Hobart — 45-54: 12.4% Ridgeway — 45-54: 15.3%
55-64 11.0% / 11.7%
South Hobart — 55-64: 11.0% Ridgeway — 55-64: 11.7%
65-74 9.4% / 9.5%
South Hobart — 65-74: 9.4% Ridgeway — 65-74: 9.5%
75-84 5.6% / 1.4%
South Hobart — 75-84: 5.6% Ridgeway — 75-84: 1.4%
85+ 2.7% / 1.4%
South Hobart — 85+: 2.7% Ridgeway — 85+: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (25.7%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

South Hobart 31.9% couple families
South Hobart — Couple Families: 31.9% South Hobart — Lone Person: 41.8% South Hobart — One Parent Families: 13.7% South Hobart — Group Household: 10.9% South Hobart — Other Families: 1.8%
Ridgeway 69.6% couple families
Ridgeway — Couple Families: 69.6% Ridgeway — Lone Person: 19.6% Ridgeway — One Parent Families: 10.9% Ridgeway — Group Household: 0.0% Ridgeway — Other Families: 0.0%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

South Hobart 33.5% renting
South Hobart — Owned Outright: 35.7% South Hobart — Mortgage: 30.8% South Hobart — Renting: 33.5%
Ridgeway 16.7% renting
Ridgeway — Owned Outright: 40.9% Ridgeway — Mortgage: 42.4% Ridgeway — Renting: 16.7%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

South Hobart Ridgeway
Bachelor Degree 25.4% / 21.2%
South Hobart — Bachelor Degree: 25.4% Ridgeway — Bachelor Degree: 21.2%
Postgraduate Degree 14.1% / 10.8%
South Hobart — Postgraduate Degree: 14.1% Ridgeway — Postgraduate Degree: 10.8%
Certificate III & IV 6.9% / 11.7%
South Hobart — Certificate III & IV: 6.9% Ridgeway — Certificate III & IV: 11.7%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 4.5% / 4.5%
South Hobart — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 4.5% Ridgeway — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 4.5%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 6.2% / 2.3%
South Hobart — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.2% Ridgeway — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 2.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (25.4%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

South Hobart Ridgeway
England 4.4% / 8.1%
South Hobart — England: 4.4% Ridgeway — England: 8.1%
China 2.9% / 2.3%
South Hobart — China: 2.9% Ridgeway — China: 2.3%
Germany 0.6% / 3.6%
South Hobart — Germany: 0.6% Ridgeway — Germany: 3.6%
Scotland 0.7% / 1.8%
South Hobart — Scotland: 0.7% Ridgeway — Scotland: 1.8%
Nepal 1.5% / —
South Hobart — Nepal: 1.5% Ridgeway — Nepal: not among its largest
New Zealand 1.4% / —
South Hobart — New Zealand: 1.4% Ridgeway — New Zealand: not among its largest
India 1.4% / —
South Hobart — India: 1.4% Ridgeway — India: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (8.1%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

South Hobart 70.5% houses
South Hobart — Houses: 70.5% South Hobart — Townhouses: 15.1% South Hobart — Flats / Apartments: 14.3%
Ridgeway 101.4% houses
Ridgeway — Houses: 101.4% Ridgeway — Townhouses: 0.0% Ridgeway — Flats / Apartments: 0.0%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

South Hobart Ridgeway
Median house price $850,000 —
Median unit price $525,000 —
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 26 days
from 33 sales
 —

Zoning mix

Ridgeway has more land zoned for conservation (85% vs 44%).

South Hobart Ridgeway
Environmental 44% 85%
Residential 28% 0%
Rural and farming 12% 11%
Infrastructure and transport 10% 2%
Parks and recreation 4% 2%
Other and special use 2% 0%
Zoning sets what may be built, not what is there today. A single address can sit in a different zone to the suburb around it. Zones as at 2026-09.

Development activity

South Hobart Ridgeway
New dwellings approved 163
across Hobart
same for both
Approvals change year on year -76%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

South Hobart Ridgeway
Houses 4.0%
$650/wk on $848K
 —
Units 5.1%
$505/wk on $510K
 —

Ranking within TAS

South Hobart Ridgeway
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 84% of TAS Higher than 99% of TAS
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 87% of TAS Higher than 82% of TAS
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 100% of TAS Higher than 96% of TAS
NBN connectivity Higher than 91% of TAS Higher than 64% of TAS
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 35% of TAS —
Rental yield (units) Higher than 73% of TAS —

Liveability

South Hobart is more walkable (27 vs 16).

South Hobart Ridgeway
Grade B —
Score 59/100 —
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 9/10
 very advantaged area
decile 10/10

Risk profile

South Hobart Ridgeway
Bushfire High
96/100
 High
97/100
Crime Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Flood —
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 5
within 5 km
 3
within 5 km

Schools

South Hobart Ridgeway
Inside the suburb 2 1
Rated above peers 1 0
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 1
Hobart, 4.8 km
 1
Hobart, 4.4 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 4.4% 1.8%

Schools in South Hobart

  • South Hobart Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • St Michael's Collegiate School - Junior School Campus Independent · Primary

Schools in Ridgeway

  • St Michael's Collegiate School - Sports Campus Independent · Combined

Amenities in the suburb

South Hobart Ridgeway
Supermarkets 1 0
Cafes & restaurants 7 0
Parks & reserves 4 2
Childcare 4 0
GPs 3 0
Pharmacies 2 0
Hospitals 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 1 0
Fuel stations 1 0
Waterways 13 4

Mobility

Ridgeway sits further from the CBD (7.1 km vs 5 km).

South Hobart Ridgeway
Walkability score 27/100 16/100
Distance to Hobart 5 km 7.1 km
+42% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 11 min 16 min
Public transport score 92/100
Bus
 23/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 139.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
 1.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
 30 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 3.3%
postcode 7004
 2.0%
postcode 7054
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 22
postcode 7004
 41
postcode 7054

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

South Hobart Ridgeway
Car (driver) 49.1% / 78.7%
South Hobart — Car (driver): 49.1% Ridgeway — Car (driver): 78.7%
Worked from Home 14.5% / 9.3%
South Hobart — Worked from Home: 14.5% Ridgeway — Worked from Home: 9.3%
Bicycle 8.7% / 6.7%
South Hobart — Bicycle: 8.7% Ridgeway — Bicycle: 6.7%
Walked Only 15.1% / —
South Hobart — Walked Only: 15.1% Ridgeway — Walked Only: not among its largest
Car (passenger) 5.7% / 5.3%
South Hobart — Car (passenger): 5.7% Ridgeway — Car (passenger): 5.3%
Bus 6.9% / —
South Hobart — Bus: 6.9% Ridgeway — Bus: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (78.7%).

Setting

South Hobart Ridgeway
Elevation 129 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 317 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 3.8 km
3.9 km to a named beach
 4.3 km
4.4 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

South Hobart Ridgeway
Connectivity score 89/100 30/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises Fixed wireless
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 80%
2,806 premises
 0%
74 premises

Climate

South Hobart Ridgeway
Annual rainfall 559 mm —
Summer max (Jan) 22.4°C —
Winter min (Jul) 5.6°C —

Council rates

South Hobart Ridgeway
Average residential rate $2,818/yr
same for both
Council Hobart
same for both

Federal electorate

South Hobart Ridgeway
Division Clark
same for both
Member Andrew Wilkie
same for both
Party Independent
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

South Hobart Ridgeway
Grant amount $20,000
same for both
Property price cap —
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

South Hobart

Easy Commute Inner Premium Professionals River Transport Hub

Ridgeway

Family Inner Professionals River

More comparisons

Other comparisons with South Hobart

South Hobart vs Sandy Bay South Hobart vs West Hobart South Hobart vs Lenah Valley South Hobart vs Hobart South Hobart vs Dynnyrne South Hobart vs Fern Tree

Other comparisons with Ridgeway

Ridgeway vs Kingston Ridgeway vs Mount Nelson Ridgeway vs Dynnyrne Ridgeway vs Fern Tree Ridgeway vs Tolmans Hill
Full data on South Hobart Full data on Ridgeway
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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