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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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The Hills District has an estimated 26,230 residents, up from 24,313 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,917 people, or 7.9%. Growth has averaged 1.1% a year over five years. 273 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 56.3% of that increase. That puts 830 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to the analysis conducted by AreaSearch, the population of The Hills District stands at approximately 26,230 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 1,917 people (7.9%) relative to the 2021 Census, which recorded 24,313 residents. The update is derived from the ABS estimated resident population of 26,166 in June 2025 and 273 validated new addresses recorded since the Census. With this population level, the density is calculated at 829 persons per square kilometer, a figure that aligns closely with typical results across locations assessed by AreaSearch. The post-census expansion rate of 7.9% is within 1.4 percentage points of the national benchmark (9.3%), indicating solid growth fundamentals.
The primary driver of these gains was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 56.3% of the total population increase during the recent timeframe. For each SA2 region, AreaSearch utilizes ABS/Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024, using 2022 as the baseline year. For SA2 territories excluded from that release, or for projections extending beyond 2032, Queensland Government SA2 projections from 2023 (utilizing 2021 data) are employed. Because the state-level projections lack age breakdown details, AreaSearch allocates growth weightings across age groups based on the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (using 2022 data) for each cohort. Looking at future demographics, the area is projected to experience growth slightly below the median of national statistical areas, with an anticipated increase of 1,337 residents by 2041 relative to the latest annual ERP statistics, which translates to a total gain of 4.8% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
341 new dwellings have been approved in The Hills District over the past five years, an average of 68 a year. That places the area in the 66th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 3 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 51 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 47% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 97, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
The Hills District has recorded an average of roughly 68 new dwelling approvals annually, resulting in a total of 341 residential units over the preceding 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 89 approvals have been logged. With an average of 4.1 new inhabitants per year per built home between FY-21 and FY-25, demand outpaces supply, which typically exerts upward pressure on prices and intensifies competition among buyers, with new homes built at an average cost of $334,000. Additionally, commercial approvals worth $12.4 million have been registered during this financial year, pointing to a stable level of commercial development.
The rate of new dwelling approvals per capita in The Hills District is about two-thirds of the level seen in Greater Brisbane, placing the area in the 30th percentile of national locations evaluated. This restricts options for buyers and sustains interest in the established housing market. The approval rate is also lower than the national average, reflecting a mature market environment with potential developmental constraints. Current construction trends show new projects comprise 47.0% detached homes and 53.0% townhouses or apartments. This pivot toward higher-density properties offers accessible entry points for buyers, attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This represents a significant shift from the current housing landscape where houses account for 89.0% of properties, driven by a shortage of development sites, shifting lifestyles, and affordability considerations. An estimated 557 residents per dwelling approval highlights a quiet, low-intensity development climate. Long-term forecasts indicate that The Hills District will add 1,273 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. Under the current pace of construction, the supply of new housing is expected to easily satisfy demand, creating favorable buying conditions and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around The Hills District
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 8 current infrastructure and development projects inside The Hills District, worth an estimated $449 million. A further 69 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $13.5 billion. 20 are already under construction and 31 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and retail. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Developments in public infrastructure, major construction projects, and planning changes have a significant influence on local performance. AreaSearch has identified 45 projects in total that are expected to impact the local area, including Hills Quarter Everton Hills, Arana Hills Plaza Ambience Upgrade, Everton Rise, and Everton Hills Central, with key details provided for the most significant works.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Arana Hills Plaza Ambience Upgrade
The Arana Hills Plaza Ambience Upgrade by Charter Hall involves extensive external and internal refurbishments to modernize the convenience-based shopping centre. The works focus on a refreshed branding identity, improved shopper amenities, and architectural elements that reflect the surrounding hills and bushland. Key features include upgraded entry statements and enhanced common area aesthetics to improve the overall community experience.
Everton Hills Central
A proposed neighbourhood shopping centre anchored by a full-line Woolworths supermarket, with specialty retail, medical centre, gym, and childcare facility. The centre will have direct frontage to South Pine Road in Everton Hills, serving the surrounding Hills District community in the City of Moreton Bay.
Hills Quarter Everton Hills
Masterplanned residential community delivering 120 premium townhomes in a hillside setting with resort-style amenities including pool, gym, and landscaped parklands.
Arana Central
Arana Central is a proposed mixed-use town centre redevelopment by Pellicano on the former Kmart site. The proposal includes around 300 apartments across multiple buildings, retail and commercial uses, dining, public spaces and a new plaza. The project is progressing alongside the City of Moreton Bay's Arana Hills Precinct Planning process, with the precinct planning framework currently being finalised before future planning scheme amendments and development outcomes are considered.
Arana Views Estate
Small boutique land subdivision in the final stages of Arana Hills, releasing 28 elevated residential lots with northerly views. Lot sales appear to be complete.
Ferny Grove Transit Oriented Development
$140 million jointly funded TOD with new multi-storey commuter car park (905 spaces), retail and residential apartments (82 units), cinema, medical centre, and childcare facilities. Joint venture with MaxCap Group.
Ferny Grove to Samford Road Cycleway (Stage 2)
Construction of a 2.5km off road shared path connecting Ferny Hills and Arana Hills and linking into the broader North Brisbane cycle network as part of the wider Samford to Ferny Grove active transport corridor.
Keperra Country Golf Club Residential Precinct
Master-planned residential community within Keperra Country Golf Club incorporating up to 450 new dwellings, including townhouses and low-rise apartments, while retaining the 27-hole golf course. Progressing with significant golf course and clubhouse redevelopment works.
15,785 residents of The Hills District are employed, from a labour force of 16,267. Unemployment sits at 3.0%, with participation at 77.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 20,449, about 78% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The Hills District boasts a highly skilled labor pool characterized by a strong presence in professional services, with an unemployment rate of only 3.0% and an estimated employment growth rate of 0.6% over the previous year. As of March 2026, the area recorded 15,785 individuals employed, reflecting an unemployment rate of 1.4% that sits below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.3%, while workforce participation stands at 77.1%, which is significantly higher than Greater Brisbane's 70.4%. Census data indicates that a substantial 25.2% of residents work from home, although the lingering effects of Covid-19 lockdowns should be taken into account when interpreting these figures.
The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and public administration & safety. The region has a high concentration of workers in public administration & safety, at 1.5 times the regional benchmark rate. Conversely, the manufacturing sector has a small footprint, employing 3.8% of the workforce compared to 6.4% across the region. Comparison of the Census working population against the resident population indicates that this residential suburb offers few local employment opportunities. AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics shows that over the 12-month period, employment rose by 0.6% and the total labor force grew by 0.4%, leading to a 0.2 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate. This trend differed from Greater Brisbane, which saw employment rise by 3.2%, labor force grow by 3.4%, and unemployment increase by 0.1 percentage points. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 offer additional context on future demand patterns in The Hills District. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Although overall national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely by sector. Applying these trends to the local industry mix yields an estimated employment increase of 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, representing a simple weighted extrapolation that does not account for specific local population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in The Hills District is $2,334 a week (about $121,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,023 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $66,157 a year against an average of $78,595. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to the latest postcode-level ATO data released by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, the median income of taxpayers in the The Hills District SA2 is $66,157, with an average income of $78,595. These figures are high on a national scale and exceed the Greater Brisbane median of $58,236 and average of $72,799. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since financial year 2023 yields estimated figures of approximately $73,672 (median) and $87,523 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census confirms that household, family, and individual incomes are high in the area, placing in the 80th to 85th percentiles nationally.
Income distribution data indicates that 34.6% of the population (9,075 individuals) earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 range, mirroring the wider region where 33.3% of earners fall into this bracket. Economic strength is reflected in the 35.4% of households earning more than $3,000 per week, which supports consumer spending. Housing costs consume 13.6% of income, while strong earnings place residents in the 86th percentile for disposable income, and the area's SEIFA ranking for income is in the 8th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
The Hills District had 8,602 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 89% detached houses and 0% apartments. 50% are owned with a mortgage, 19% rented and 31% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $455 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 19.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 19.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, the housing stock in The Hills District consisted of 89.0% detached houses and 10.9% other dwelling types (such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative housing), compared to 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings in the Brisbane metro area. Home ownership in the area was significantly higher than the Brisbane metro average at 31.0%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (49.8%) or rented (19.2%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,000 was higher than the Brisbane metro average of $1,863, while the median weekly rent was $455, compared to metro averages of $1,863 and $380 respectively.
At a national level, mortgage repayments in The Hills District exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are higher than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
The Hills District counted 8,602 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 9,280 today, averaging 2.8 people each. 40% are couples with children, more than in 79% of areas nationally, against 29% couples without children. 16% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.5 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households make up the majority of homes at 80.9%, consisting of couples with children (39.8%), couples without children (28.8%), and single-parent households (11.3%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 19.1%, which includes single-person households at 16.4% and group shared homes at 2.7%. The median household size of 2.8 persons is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
33.7% of adults in The Hills District hold a university qualification, including 22.9% with a bachelor degree and 6.6% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 83% of areas nationally. A further 22.5% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 1,315 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,082 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
The educational profile of the area is distinct within the region, with university qualification rates at 33.7% of residents aged 15+ exceeding both the SA4 average of 24.9% and the Queensland average of 25.7%, showing a strong community focus on higher education. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 22.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees (6.6%) and graduate diplomas (4.2%). Technical and vocational skills are also common, with 34.4% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.9%) and certificates (22.5%). Enrolment rates are high, with 29.5% of the population participating in formal education.
This group includes 10.3% in primary schools, 8.4% in secondary schools, and 5.5% enrolled in higher education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in The Hills District reaches 93 stops on 6 routes, timetabled for about 480 services a week. The typical home sits about 390 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.7 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Analysis of local transit shows 93 active public transport stops operating in The Hills District, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 6 distinct routes, which provide a total of 475 passenger trips per week. Transit accessibility is rated as good, with residents living an average of 386 meters from their nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and most commuters travel out of the area; private cars are the primary mode of travel at 85%, followed by trains at 10%. Average vehicle ownership is 1.7 cars per household, which is higher than the regional average.
A high proportion of residents (25.2%) worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions. The average service frequency across all transit routes is 67 trips per day, which equates to roughly 5 weekly departures for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
68.7% of residents in The Hills District report no long-term health condition. 4.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 58.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
The Hills District records positive health metrics according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality and chronic disease trends, with common health conditions occurring at low rates in the wider population, though exceeding national averages among older, high-risk groups. Private health insurance coverage is high at approximately 58% of the population (~15,318 people), compared to 55.8% across Greater Brisbane. Mental health conditions and asthma are the most common diagnoses, affecting 9.8% and 7.9% of residents respectively. Conversely, 68.7% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 69.2% in Greater Brisbane.
Health profiles within the working-age cohort are standard. Residents aged 65 and over constitute 14.9% of the population (3,900 people), representing a lower national ranking relative to the broader local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
The Hills District is largely Australian-born, at 83.1% of residents, with 7.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (29.6%) and Australian (27.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics in The Hills District are below average, with 83.1% of residents born in Australia, 92.4% holding citizenship, and 93.0% speaking only English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, representing 49.9% of the population, compared to 47.8% in Greater Brisbane. Based on parental birthplaces, the primary ancestral backgrounds in The Hills District are English (29.6%), Australian (27.0%), and Irish (10.2%). Specific heritage groups show distinct local concentrations: Scottish ancestry represents 9.2% of the local population (compared to 7.4% regionally), New Zealanders represent 1.0% (compared to 1.0% regionally), and German heritage represents 4.8% (compared to 4.2% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of The Hills District is 38. 25.1% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
With a median age of 38, The Hills District has a slightly older profile than Greater Brisbane (36) and matches the national average of 38 years. The 45 - 54 age bracket is highly represented at 14.6% compared to Greater Brisbane, while the 25 - 34 cohort is lower at 11.7%. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 4.6% to 6.2% of the population, and the 15 to 24 group grew from 12.1% to 13.3%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort decreased from 8.7% to 7.2%. Looking to 2041, population forecasts indicate changes in the local age structure, led by the 85+ cohort which is projected to grow by 169% (687 people) from 406 to 1,094.
The trend toward an older demographic is clear, with those aged 65+ making up 54% of projected gains, while the 5 to 14 and 0 to 4 age brackets are projected to decrease in size.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for The Hills District
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jun 2026 2 months ago all 10 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jun 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 273 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (24,313 at the 2021 Census → 26,230 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (314011386). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.