Hill Top (NSW)

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According to ABS demographic updates for the wider region alongside newly confirmed addresses from Districts since the Census, the suburb of Hill Top (Wingecarribee - NSW) is home to an estimated 2,802 residents in May 2026. This represents a gain of 10 individuals (0.4%) compared to the 2,792 citizens recorded during the 2021 Census. This adjustment is based on a resident count of 2,796 estimated by Districts following the ABS June 2025 release of estimated resident population numbers, combined with 13 newly validated addresses added since the Census. With this population level, the density stands at 73 persons per square kilometer, offering generous open space and capacity for future housing. The 0.4% post-census growth rate trails the broader SA3 region (2.6%) by 2.2 percentage points, yet displays healthy local demand. The main contributor to these demographic gains was natural increase, which accounted for approximately 81.0% of the total population growth in recent times.

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The local workforce is evenly divided between professional and trade occupations, with construction workers representing a notable share of the labor force, and the local jobless rate sitting at a minimal 1.9%, based on Districts compilations of regional figures. As of March 2026, there are 1,443 working residents, and the unemployment rate is 2.2% lower than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%. Labor participation is also unusually high, reaching 67.3% compared to the Regional NSW average of 60.6%. Census data reveals that a moderate 17.0% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic-related restrictions.

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The suburb of Hill Top records a median individual taxpayer income of $53,091 alongside an average of $114,827, according to regional ATO tax data compiled by Districts for financial year 2023. These figures are remarkably high on a national scale, especially when contrasted with the Regional NSW median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Factoring in a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since financial year 2023, updated estimates suggest a median of roughly $58,570 and an average of $126,677 as of March 2026. The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual incomes in the area sit near the 58th percentile nationwide. Income distributions show that the $1,500 - 2,999 range is the most common, accounting for 38.6% of taxpayers (1,081 individuals), mirroring the broader regional trend where fall into this bracket. Although mortgage and rent commitments absorb of income, strong local earnings keep disposable income at the th percentile, and the neighborhood's SEIFA economic index places it in the th decile.

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The housing stock in Hill Top at the time of the last Census was overwhelmingly dominated by separate houses at 98.9%, with alternative housing styles (townhouses, units, and other formats) making up just 1.1%, compared to Regional NSW where separate houses account for 82.6% and other dwellings comprise 17.4%. Outright home ownership stood at 26.0%, which is lower than the Regional NSW average, with the remaining residences being purchasing under a mortgage (60.8%) or occupied by tenants (13.1%). The median monthly home loan repayment of $2,000 was considerably higher than the Regional NSW median of $1,733, while the median weekly rental cost was $435 compared to the regional figure of $330. Nationally, local mortgage commitments exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and local rental rates are significantly above the national benchmark of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of local households at 78.3%, consisting of couples with children at 38.4%, couples without children at 25.2%, and single-parent homes at 13.5%. The remaining 21.7% are non-family households, with single-person residences accounting for 19.4% and shared group homes representing 2.6%. The median occupancy rate of 2.8 persons per household is higher than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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Academic achievement in the locality displays some areas of concern, with the proportion of residents holding a university degree (12.7%) tracking far below the state average of 32.2%. This gap highlights both a local vulnerability and a possibility for focused educational programs. Undergraduate degrees are the most common higher qualification at 9.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.3% and graduate diplomas at 1.3%. Practical and trade expertise is highly represented, with 45.6% of citizens aged 15 and over possessing vocational qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.9%) and certificates (35.7%).

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Analysis of regional transport reveals 44 active passenger stops within Hill Top, which are served by local bus services. These stops accommodate 13 distinct routes, providing a total of 134 passenger departures per week. Transport links are rated as good, with residents living an average of 213 meters from their nearest stop. Given the residential profile of the area, most workers commute out of the neighborhood, and private cars remain the primary mode of travel for 97% of commuters. Average vehicle ownership stands at 2.0 cars per household, exceeding the regional average. In the 2021 Census, 17.0% of the workforce worked from home, which may reflect pandemic-era patterns.

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The neighborhood faces notable wellness concerns, based on Districts assessments of mortality patterns and the occurrence of long-term health issues, which are fairly common among both younger and older demographics. The rate of private health insurance is exceptionally elevated, covering approximately 72% of the local population (2,021 individuals), which contrasts with 51.9% across Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

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The neighborhood has lower levels of ethnic diversity compared to state benchmarks, with 87.8% of residents born in Australia, 93.7% holding citizenship, and 95.4% using only English at home. Christianity is the dominant faith, practiced by 53.4% of the population. The most pronounced religious overrepresentation is seen in Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of the community compared to 0.1% across Regional NSW.

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With a median age of 34, the population of Hill Top is significantly younger than both the Regional NSW average of 43 and the national average of 38. Compared to the Regional NSW profile, the 35 to 44 age cohort is highly represented at 16.3% of the population, while the 65 to 74 group is underrepresented at 7.5%. Since 2021, the 35 to 44 group has increased its share from 13.6% to 16.3%, whereas the 45 to 54 cohort has shrunk from 13.2% to 11.0%. Age models suggest the area's demographics will change notably by 2041, with the 35 to 44 age bracket projected to grow by 191 people () from to while the to cohort is forecast to rise by a modest ( people).

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Hill Top currently has an estimated 232 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 117 children aged 0-2 and 77 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 3% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 43% by 2041 (to approximately 331 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 286. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 13.0 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.