Hillsdale (NSW)

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According to data from the ABS and fresh address verification by Districts since the Census, the resident population in Hillsdale is calculated to be approximately 5,290 as of May 2026. This represents a decline of 357 residents (6.3%) compared to the 2021 Census, which documented 5,647 individuals. This update is derived from the estimate of 5,290 residents calculated by Districts using the ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside four newly validated addresses after the Census. This population level results in a density of 9,280 individuals per square kilometer, placing the locality in the top 10% of all national locations tracked by Districts and highlighting high demand for local land. The chief contributor to population growth was overseas migration, which made up about 65.0% of the gains in recent times, though natural increase and interstate arrivals also remained positive.

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Hillsdale has a well-educated labor force employed across various industries, and an unemployment rate of 5.6% based on aggregated regional data from Districts. In March 2026, there were 2,489 working residents, with an unemployment rate 1.4% higher than the 4.1% recorded in Greater Sydney, while labor force participation is notably lower at 59.1% compared to 69.1% in Greater Sydney. Census data indicates that a high 27.4% of residents worked from home, though this may have been influenced by Covid-19 lock-downs.

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According to the latest postcode-level ATO data released for financial year 2023 and compiled by Districts, Hillsdale taxpayers recorded a median income of $56,961 and an average income of $83,917. These figures are very high on a national scale and compare to $60,817 (median) and $83,003 (average) across Greater Sydney. Applying the 10.32% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of approximately $62,839 for the median and $92,577 for the average as of March 2026. Census figures from 2021 place individual income in the 61st percentile ($862 per week) and household income in the 43rd percentile. Income distribution details show that 37.3% of residents (1,973 individuals) earn between $1,500 - which matches regional patterns where are in this bracket. Financial pressures from housing are high, with residents retaining only of their income, ranking in the th percentile, and the local SEIFA income score falls in the th decile.

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At the time of the latest Census, the housing mix in Hillsdale consisted of 4.2% houses and 95.8% other dwelling types such as apartments, semi-detached properties, and alternative residences, compared to 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings across the Sydney metro area. Home ownership in Hillsdale was lower than the metropolitan average at 19.0%, with the remaining properties occupied by people with a mortgage (24.6%) or tenants (56.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,167 was lower than the Sydney metro median of $2,427, and the median weekly rent of $450 was also below the metropolitan figure of $470. On a national level, mortgage costs in Hillsdale are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are higher than the national median of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 65.1%, which includes couples with children at 28.4%, couples without children at 21.2%, and single-parent households at 14.0%. Non-family households represent the remaining 34.9%, consisting of single-person households at 29.4% and group households at 5.4%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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Educational attainment in the area presents some challenges, with the university qualification rate of 33.0% sitting well below the SA4 regional average of 55.2%. This situation highlights both a hurdle and a chance for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 22.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 8.9% and graduate diplomas at 2.0%. Vocational and technical skills are common, with 30.6% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.5%) and certificates (19.1%).

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Analysis of the local network shows 5 public transport stops in Hillsdale, which are serviced by buses. These stops accommodate 13 distinct routes, which combine to support 2,689 passenger journeys each week. Public transport access is good, with residents living an average of 231 meters from their nearest stop. Because the suburb is mostly residential, many workers commute to other areas. Private vehicles are the main transport choice at 72%, while 12% commute by bus and 7% walk. Average car ownership is 0.7 vehicles per household, which is lower than the regional average. A high proportion of residents, 27.4%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect the pandemic context.

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Hillsdale performs well across key health measures, based on Districts analysis of mortality statistics and the rate of chronic illnesses. Both younger and older demographics exhibit low rates of common health conditions, and private health insurance coverage is high, representing approximately 60% of the population (3,176 people).

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Cultural diversity in Hillsdale is among the highest in Australia, with 50.7% of the population speaking a language other than English at home and 54.3% born outside of Australia. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 52.5% of residents. The most distinct religious overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 1.7% of local residents compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney.

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The median age of residents in Hillsdale is 35 years, making the population slightly younger than the Greater Sydney median of 37 and the national average of 38. The 25 - 34 age group is highly represented at 19.6% compared to Greater Sydney, while children in the 5 - 14 bracket are less common at 9.3%. Since 2021, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has increased from 3.3% to 4.3%. In contrast, the 5 to 14 group fell from 10.1% to 9.3%. Projections for 2041 suggest changing demographics for Hillsdale, with the 45 to 54 cohort expected to grow by 175 people () from to while declines are expected in the to and to age brackets.

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Hillsdale currently has an estimated 343 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 180 children aged 0-2 and 121 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 10% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 11% by 2041 (to approximately 305 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 408. Birth rates in the area have averaged 11.1 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a moderate rate (within the middle tier nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.