Hillston (NSW)

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According to ABS population figures and recent address verification by Districts, the suburb of Hillston has an estimated population of 1,604 as of May 2026. This represents a 3.7% rise of 57 people from the 1,547 recorded during the 2021 Census. Districts calculated this estimate from ABS estimated resident population statistics released in June 2025 alongside an extra 26 validated new addresses. The resulting density is 0.40 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density. With a 3.7% expansion rate, the suburb of Hillston outpaced the wider SA3 area at 1.8% and the SA4 region, making it a regional growth leader. Natural increase was the primary contributor, accounting for roughly 52.0% of the growth.

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A skilled workforce characterizes the local area, which has an unemployment rate of 2.4%. By March 2026, employed residents numbered 889. The jobless rate is 1.7% lower than the Regional NSW average of 4.1%, while workforce participation is high at 69.4% compared to 60.6% regionally. The Census recorded that 8.1% of residents worked from home, though this may reflect pandemic-related restrictions.

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ATO data for the 2023 financial year indicates local incomes are below the national average. The median taxpayer income is $51,291 and the average is $57,670, compared to Regional NSW averages of $52,390 and $65,215. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since 2023, March 2026 estimates suggest a median of $56,584 and an average of $63,622. The 2021 Census placed personal income at the 59th percentile ($852 weekly) and household income at the 34th percentile. The largest earnings segment consists of 32.9% of residents earning between $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (527 residents), similar to the regional share of 29.9%. Residents retain 90.9% of their income after housing costs, but disposable income remains below average at the nd percentile.

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Separate houses comprised 92.0% of the housing stock at the last Census, with apartments, semi-detached, and other homes making up the remaining 8.0%, compared to 82.6% and 17.4% respectively in Regional NSW. Home ownership stood at 37.4%, which is slightly lower than the regional average, with 23.7% of properties mortgaged and 38.9% rented. The median monthly mortgage payment was $901 and the median weekly rent was $220, both significantly lower than the Regional NSW figures of $1,733 and $330, and the national averages of $1,863 and $375.

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Families make up 64.7% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 24.6%, couples without children at 28.8%, and single parents at 10.6%. Non-family households account for 35.3%, consisting of single-person households at 29.9% and group households at 5.1%. The median household size is 2.4 people, matching the regional average.

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Higher education levels are relatively low, with 17.2% of residents holding a university qualification compared to the state average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are held by 14.8%, postgraduate qualifications by 1.8%, and graduate diplomas by 0.6%. Vocational qualifications are common, with 36.9% of residents aged 15+ holding credentials, including 10.4% with advanced diplomas and 26.5% with certificates.

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The public transport network consists of 75 active bus stops served by 7 routes, which provide 100 passenger trips per week. The average distance to the nearest stop is 196 meters. Most residents commute to work outside the area, with 86% driving and 9% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.6 cars per household. A total of 8.1% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census.

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Health outcomes present challenges, with elevated rates of chronic conditions, particularly among older residents. Private health insurance coverage is low, with approximately 50% of residents (~798 people) covered, compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and 55.7% nationwide.

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Cultural diversity is higher than average, with 21.4% of the population born outside Australia and 16.8% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the dominant religion at 59.2%. The category of Other religions shows the most significant concentration, representing 2.8% of the population compared to 0.8% across Regional NSW.

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The median age is 36 years, which is younger than the Regional NSW average of 43 and the national median of 38. The 25 - 34 cohort is highly represented at 19.6%, while the 65 - 74 group is smaller at 9.7%. Since the 2021 Census, the 65 to 74 group grew from 8.2% to 9.7% and the 0 to 4 group rose from 6.5% to 7.6%. The 45 to 54 cohort fell from 12.2% to 9.1% and the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 11.9% to . By the to group is projected to grow by ( people) to reach . Older cohorts aged and over are expected to make up of total population growth, while the to and to groups are projected to decline.

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Hillston currently has an estimated 121 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 60 children aged 0-2 and 41 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 21% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 6% by 2041 (to approximately 128 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 162. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 13.2 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.