 Hadspen was a small town for most of its early life ; its population in 1966 was 311 . It grew quickly from the 1970s to the 1990s after subdivisions were developed in South Esk Drive and Roebourne Avenue . Over this period the population doubled . In the 2001 census , 29 % of the town 's population was under 14 — one of the highest proportions in Tasmania — and future forecast growth means that the town is expected to require a primary school . The population grew from 1 @,@ 334 in 1991 , to 1 @,@ 848 in 2001 , 1 @,@ 926 in 2006 , and 2 @,@ 063 in the last census results in 2011 . Within the town 's current footprint its population is expected to reach 2 @,@ 155 by 2016 . The Meander Valley Council , in a March 2011 development plan , forecast Hadspen 's population doubling over the subsequent two decades . 
