Hillbank (SA)

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According to the latest calculations from Districts using census updates from the ABS and fresh address verification, the population of the suburb of Hillbank stands at roughly 5,158 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 145 people (2.9%) from the 2021 Census, when the count was 5,013 individuals. The estimate is drawn from a resident figure of 5,138, determined by Districts through the ABS ERP publication from June 2025 alongside a single validated new address recorded since the census. The local density reaches 1,632 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical ratio observed across Australia. The primary engine of this population change was overseas arrivals, which accounted for approximately 68.0% of the total demographic expansion.

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The local workforce is split evenly between manual and professional occupations, with a notable presence in public service jobs, an unemployment rate of 5.6%, and estimated annual jobs growth of 0.9%, based on regional employment aggregates. In March 2026, the working population stood at 2,770, with joblessness running 1.7% higher than the Greater Adelaide level of 3.8%. Labor force participation is relatively typical, sitting at 70.6% compared to 66.6% across Greater Adelaide. Census statistics show that only 6.7% of employees worked from home, though this figure was likely affected by pandemic restrictions.

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Based on ATO records from the financial year 2023, tax-paying residents of Hillbank recorded a median income of $60,707 and an average income of $66,202. This is slightly below the nationwide average and compares to Greater Adelaide figures of $54,808 and $66,852 respectively. Factoring in a Wage Price Index lift of 10.17% since the financial year 2023, local incomes are estimated at $66,881 (median) and $72,935 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census places local personal, family, and household incomes around the 53rd percentile nationally. Some 38.2% of the local population (1,970 residents) earn between $1,500 - 2,999, which is comparable to the wider region where 31.8% fall into this bracket. Once housing expenses are paid, households retain of their earnings, indicating healthy disposable income.

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Residential structures in Hillbank at the time of the census consisted of 100.0% detached houses and natural language dictates that no other formats, such as townhouses or units, were present, which contrasts with the Adelaide metropolitan split of 75.2% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Ownership rates matched the metropolitan benchmark at 31.5%, while the remaining properties were either being purchased under a mortgage (56.0%) or rented (12.5%). The typical monthly mortgage commitment of $1,495 was lower than the Adelaide metro median of $1,562, while median weekly rent stood at $346 compared to the metro level of $320. Compared nationally, local mortgage costs are below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are cheaper than the national benchmark of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of households at 79.8%, consisting of couples with children at 37.7%, couples without children at 29.6%, and single parents at 12.0%. The remaining 20.2% are non-family households, with single-person homes making up 18.2% and share houses accounting for 1.8% of the total. The typical household size of 2.7 residents is slightly above the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

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Educational attainment in the area lags behind, with the proportion of university graduates (14.1%) sitting well below the national average of 30.4%. This represents both a developmental challenge and a target for future training programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 10.7%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.8% and postgraduate degrees at 1.6%. Technical qualifications are highly common, with 42.2% of residents aged 15+ having completed vocational training, including advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (31.6%).

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Public transport options include 28 active stops within Hillbank, which are serviced by a combination of buses. There are 13 separate routes running through the area, facilitating 522 passenger trips each week. Transport links are rated as good, with dwellings averaging 248 meters from the closest stop. Given the suburban nature of the area, most workers travel outside the suburb, with cars being the primary choice at 94%. Households average 1.8 cars, which is above the metropolitan average. A relatively modest 6.7% of the workforce worked from home, based on 2021 Census data collected during the pandemic.

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Analysis of mortality statistics and long-term illnesses reveals notable health challenges in the area, with chronic conditions present across all age brackets. Private health insurance coverage sits just above the average SA2 region, with approximately 53% of the population (~2,742 people) holding a policy.

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Cultural diversity in Hillbank is above the norm, with 12.1% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 25.1% born outside Australia. Christianity is the dominant faith, represented by 40.3% of the population. The most prominent religious variance is Islam, which accounts for 3.9% of residents compared to 3.0% across Greater Adelaide.

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The median age of 36 in Hillbank is slightly younger than the Greater Adelaide average of 39 and the national median of 38. The suburb has a larger proportion of residents aged 55 to 64 (13.6%) compared to Greater Adelaide, but a smaller share of people aged 75 to 84 (3.6%). Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age cohort has increased from 11.9% to 13.3%, while the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 13.2% to 12.2%. By 2041, age dynamics will shift, led by a 53% increase in the 45 to 54 group (adding 330 people) to reach from .

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Hillbank currently has an estimated 340 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 204 children aged 0-2 and 136 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 1% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 21% by 2041 (to approximately 412 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 590. Birth rates in the area have averaged 13.1 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a high rate (among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.