Community in profile: Burnie 

Geography 

Spans 600 square kilometres in north-west Tasmania, with urban and rural areas 

Towns and suburbs include Burnie, Acton, Emu Valley, Wivenhoe and Ocean Vista 

Population 

19,918 people live in the Burnie municipality 

Median age is 40 years (state average is 42) 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 9% of the population (5% statewide) 

Social and economic conditions 

54% of the population have completed Year 12 and over (state average is 60%) 

Median weekly income in 2021 was $1225 ($1358 statewide) 

Health profile 

38% of the population rate their own health as excellent or very good (in line with the state average) 

19% are current smokers (state average is 15%) 

Immunisation 

96% of children are fully immunised by the age of five (state average is 95%) 

Illness and death 

Risk factors increase the likelihood of developing chronic conditions or other health problems.  

In Burnie, two major risk factors are obesity and poor nutrition, with 67% of adults having an obese body mass index and 88% not meeting the recommended daily intake of vegetables.  

In 2022, 83% of people saw a GP for their own health in the previous 12 months.  

Coronary heart disease (12%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (7%) and lung cancer (6.5%), are the top three leading causes of death in Burnie. 

Primary Health Tasmania supporting Burnie 

Commissioned services and other activity including: 

• after-hours medical support   

• services for people with chronic health conditions 

• diabetes education and support 

• support to connect vulnerable older people with aged care services 

• alcohol and other drug treatment services 

• health and wellbeing services for Aboriginal people  

• mental health and wellbeing services   

• suicide prevention services 

Community health checks for every Tasmanian local government area are available here.