Red Hill (ACT)
Statistical Area - sa2

Red Hill is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Red Hill's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 3,553. This figure represents a growth of 407 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 3,146. The increase was calculated using ABS' estimated resident population of 3,542 in June 2024 and an additional 144 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 731 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across other locations assessed by AreaSearch. Red Hill's growth rate of 12.9% since the 2021 Census exceeds both the state average (5.9%) and its SA4 region, making it a notable growth leader in the area. Interstate migration contributed approximately 63.1% to overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, age group growth rates from the ACT Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, using 2022 as the base year. Based on current trends, Red Hill is expected to increase its population by approximately 308 persons to reach a total of around 3,861 by 2041, marking an overall increase of about 8.3% over the seventeen-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Red Hill according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Red Hill has recorded approximately 78 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 392 homes have been approved, with an additional one approved so far in FY26. The average number of new residents arriving per new home over these five years is 0.8 per year, indicating that new supply has kept pace with or exceeded demand.

This offers ample buyer choice and creates capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction cost value of new dwellings is $344,000, suggesting developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY26, $22.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Red Hill has 174.0% more construction activity per person, reflecting strong developer confidence in the location. The current new building activity shows a mix of 27.0% detached houses and 73.0% medium and high-density housing, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This shift from the current housing mix (currently 79.0% houses) reflects reduced availability of development sites and addresses shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. The estimated population density in Red Hill is 524 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment.

Future projections indicate that Red Hill will add approximately 296 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Red Hill has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified nine projects that could affect this region. Notable projects include Griffith-Narrabundah Community Centre & Oval Upgrade, Yarra Rossa, The Parks, Red Hill, and Canberra Hospital Master Plan. Below is a list of the most relevant projects.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Employment performance in Red Hill ranks among the strongest 15% of areas evaluated nationally

Red Hill in ACT has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. As of June 2025, its unemployment rate is 1.9%, below the ACT's rate of 3.4%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.8%. There are 1,937 residents employed, and workforce participation is at 65.9% compared to the ACT's 69.6%. Key industries include public administration & safety, professional & technical services, and health care & social assistance. The area shows a high specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share of 1.5 times the regional level.

However, public administration & safety has limited presence at 26.6% compared to the regional average of 30.4%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. In the 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 1.8%, and labour force grew by 1.5%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. This compares to ACT-wide growth rates of 1.9% for employment and 1.6% for labour force, with a similar reduction in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years nationally. Applying these projections to Red Hill's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.1% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, though these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Red Hill's median income among taxpayers is $79,758, with an average of $129,618. Nationally, this is exceptionally high compared to the Australian Capital Territory's median of $68,678 and average of $83,634. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.6% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $90,605 (median) and $147,246 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Red Hill, between the 97th and 100th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate 50.2% of the population (1,783 individuals) fall within the $4000+ income range, differing from the metropolitan region where the $1,500 - 2,999 category predominates at 34.3%. This suburb demonstrates considerable affluence with 60.8% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. After housing costs, residents retain 89.5% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Red Hill is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

As of the latest Census, dwelling structures in Red Hill comprised 79.3% houses and 20.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, the Australian Capital Territory had 40.7% houses and 59.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Red Hill stood at 40.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.8% and rented ones at 22.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,500, higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,275. The median weekly rent figure in Red Hill was $500, matching the Australian Capital Territory's figure but significantly higher than the national average of $375. Nationally, Red Hill's mortgage repayments were notably higher at $1,863.

Red Hill features high concentrations of family households and group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 77.5% of all households, including 43.0% couples with children, 25.1% couples without children, and 8.0% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 22.5%, with lone person households at 19.3% and group households making up 4.0%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.2.

Red Hill demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

In Red Hill, 59.1% of residents aged 15 years or older have university qualifications, exceeding national (30.4%) and SA4 region (46.8%) averages. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 32.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (20.5%) and graduate diplomas (5.8%). Technical qualifications account for 14.0% of educational achievements, with advanced diplomas at 7.1% and certificates at 6.9%. Educational participation is high, with 36.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: secondary education (13.4%), primary education (10.7%), and tertiary education (7.5%).

Red Hill's four schools have a combined enrollment of 3,102 students. The area has significant socio-educational advantages with an ICSEA score of 1148. Education provision is balanced with three primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. As an education hub, Red Hill offers 87.3 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 31.2, attracting students from surrounding communities.

Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

The public transport analysis indicates 23 active transport stops operating within Red Hill. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totaling 17 individual routes. Collectively, they facilitate 729 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport is rated as good, with residents typically located 230 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 104 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 31 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Red Hill is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Red Hill exhibits superior health outcomes for both young and elderly populations, with low prevalence rates for common health conditions. Approximately 81% of its total population of 2,885 residents have private health cover, which is higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 78.0%, and significantly higher than the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, affecting 8.2% and 7.0% of residents respectively.

A total of 72.2% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 69.8% across the Australian Capital Territory. The area has a senior population of 20.5%, comprising 726 individuals aged 65 and over. Health outcomes among seniors in Red Hill are above average and largely align with the general population's health profile.

Red Hill was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Red Hill's population was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 29.6% born overseas and 24.0% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Red Hill, accounting for 48.0%. However, Judaism was overrepresented compared to Australian Capital Territory, comprising 0.4% of Red Hill's population versus 0.6% regionally.

The top three ancestry groups were English (24.1%), Australian (20.7%), and Other (11.5%). Notably, French (0.9%) Croatian (1.1%), and Macedonian (0.6%) ethnicities were overrepresented in Red Hill compared to regional figures of 0.9%, 0.9%, and 0.3% respectively.

Red Hill hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Red Hill's median age is 42, which is higher than the Australian Capital Territory figure of 35 and significantly higher than Australia's overall median age of 38. Compared to the ACT average, Red Hill has a notably over-represented cohort of 55-64 year-olds (13.6% locally), while those aged 25-34 are under-represented (8.3%). Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has grown from 4.8% to 7.3% of Red Hill's population. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort has declined from 15.2% to 13.9%. Demographic modeling suggests that by 2041, Red Hill's age profile will evolve significantly. The 65-74 age cohort is projected to expand by 99 people (30%), growing from 326 to 426. Conversely, both the 35-44 and 0-4 age groups are projected to see reduced numbers.