Hinchinbrook
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Hinchinbrook are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Hinchinbrook's population was approximately 13,042 as of August 2025, reflecting an increase of 4 people from the 2021 Census figure of 13,038. This change is inferred from ABS estimates in June 2024 and validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density was around 2,498 persons per square kilometer. Over a decade, Hinchinbrook's compound annual growth rate was 1.6%, exceeding metropolitan areas. Overseas migration contributed about 57.4% of recent population gains. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for SA2 areas as of 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for uncovered areas from 2022 with a base year of 2021.

Future growth rates by age group are applied to all areas until 2041. By then, Hinchinbrook is projected to grow by 46 persons, representing a total gain of 0.3%.

The level of residential development activity in Hinchinbrook is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Hinchinbrook averaged approximately 40 new dwelling approvals annually. Development approval data from the ABS covers financial years, totalling 200 approvals between FY20-FY25, with 2 approvals recorded in FY26 so far. Despite population decline, development activity has been adequate relative to demand, maintaining a balanced market with good buyer choice. New homes are built at an average cost of $349,000, below regional norms, offering affordable housing options.

This financial year saw $4.0 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's residential character. Compared to Greater Sydney, Hinchinbrook has significantly less development activity, 94.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings, indicating possible planning constraints. Recent construction comprises 88.0% detached dwellings and 12.0% medium-high density housing, preserving the area's suburban nature. With around 1140 people per approval, Hinchinbrook shows a mature, established area.

Future population growth is projected at 39 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current projections.

Hinchinbrook has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 12 projects likely to impact the area. Notable ones include Fifteenth Avenue Smart Transit (FAST) Corridor, M7-M12 Integration Project, Avala Apartments Miller, and Cecil Hills High School Upgrade. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Employment performance in Hinchinbrook has been broadly consistent with national averages

Hinchinbrook has a skilled workforce with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate is 3.6%.

Over the past year, there was an estimated employment growth of 5.5%. As of June 2025, 6841 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 0.6% below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation lags at 54.0%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing.

Manufacturing has a notably high concentration with employment levels at 1.7 times the regional average. Professional & technical services have limited presence at 5.0% compared to the regional average of 11.5%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 5.5%, labour force by 5.0%, and unemployment rate fell by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment rise by 2.6%, labour force grow by 2.9%, and unemployment increase by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. National unemployment is 4.5% while national employment growth is 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a national employment expansion of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Hinchinbrook's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.1%% over five years and 12.9% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

Hinchinbrook's median income among taxpayers was $46,181 and average income stood at $54,311 in the financial year 2022. These figures were below Greater Sydney's median of $56,994 and average of $80,856 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for March 2025 would be approximately $51,076 (median) and $60,068 (average). According to Census 2021 income data, household income ranked at the 68th percentile ($2,039 weekly), with personal income at the 23rd percentile. In Hinchinbrook, 36.6% of locals (4,773 people) fell into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category, similar to the broader area where 30.9% occupied this range. High housing costs consumed 17.3% of income, but strong earnings placed disposable income at the 66th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 4th decile.

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

Hinchinbrook's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 88.0% houses and 12.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Sydney metro's 90.4% houses and 9.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Hinchinbrook stood at 28.5%, with mortgaged properties at 50.4% and rented dwellings at 21.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, significantly lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,475. Median weekly rent in Hinchinbrook was $480, slightly higher than Sydney metro's figure of $490. Nationally, Hinchinbrook's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,167 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Hinchinbrook features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 90.0% of all households, including 56.8% couples with children, 15.9% couples without children, and 16.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 10.0%, with lone person households at 8.9% and group households making up 0.9%. The median household size is 3.6 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 3.4.

Educational outcomes in Hinchinbrook fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 19.6% substantially below the Greater Sydney average of 38.0%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 15.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 30.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (11.3%) and certificates (19.3%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 33.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.4% in primary education, 10.2% in secondary education, and 6.1% pursuing tertiary education. Educational provision includes Hinchinbrook Public School and Hoxton Park High School, collectively serving 1,394 students as of 20XX (date provided verbatim). Hinchinbrook demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 952) with balanced educational opportunities. Educational provision follows conventional lines, split between one primary and one secondary institution. School places per 100 residents stood at 10.7 in 20XX, falling below the regional average of 19.2 during that period, indicating some students may have attended schools in adjacent areas.

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

Transport analysis indicates 57 active transport stops operating within Hinchinbrook. These are a mix of bus stops serviced by 49 individual routes. They collectively provide 2,952 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent with residents typically located 176 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 421 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 51 weekly trips per individual stop.

Hinchinbrook's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Hinchinbrook's health outcomes show excellent results, particularly among younger cohorts with low prevalence of common conditions. Private health cover stands at approximately 47% (6,155 people), lower than Greater Sydney's 52.5%. Nationally, it is 55.3%.

Asthma and arthritis are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 6.0% and 5.4% respectively. 78.1% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 77.9% in Greater Sydney. Hinchinbrook has a higher proportion of seniors (12.9%, 1,687 people) than Greater Sydney's 10.1%. Despite above-average health outcomes among seniors, they require more attention than the general population.

Hinchinbrook is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Hinchinbrook has a population where 48.0% were born overseas, and 64.2% speak a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Hinchinbrook, with 60.2%. Buddhism is more prevalent here compared to Greater Sydney, comprising 10.2% versus the regional average of 6.6%.

In terms of ancestry, 'Other' is the most represented group at 35.9%, higher than the regional average of 27.3%. Australian and English ancestries follow, at 11.3% and 6.9% respectively. Notable overrepresentations include Serbian (2.9% vs regional 1.9%), Spanish (1.3% vs 1.0%), and Vietnamese (6.8% vs 4.4%).

Hinchinbrook's population is younger than the national pattern

Hinchinbrook's median age is 35 years, slightly younger than Greater Sydney's 37 and the national average of 38 years. The 55-64 age group comprises 12.9% of Hinchinbrook's population compared to Greater Sydney, while the 25-34 cohort makes up 13.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 65-74 age group grew from 7.1% to 8.3%, and the 75-84 age group increased from 2.5% to 3.7%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort decreased from 13.4% to 11.9%, and the 5-14 age group dropped from 15.5% to 14.3%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Hinchinbrook. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to grow by 664 people (138%) from 482 to 1,147. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 100% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both the 25-34 and 55-64 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.