Castle Hill (NSW)

Population growth drivers in Castle Hill are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Castle Hill (NSW) is around 43,660, reflecting a 6.8% increase since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 40,874. This growth was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 42,156 following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 1,878 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,316 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Castle Hill's growth exceeded that of its SA3 area (6.4%), marking it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 97.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. For future projections, AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year.

For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year are utilized. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, a significant population increase is forecasted for Castle Hill, with an expected growth of 17,319 persons, reflecting a total increase of 36.1% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Castle Hill among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Castle Hill has seen around 793 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 3,969 homes between FY-21 and FY-25. So far in FY-26691 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.1 new residents per year arrive for each new home constructed during this period.

New construction is matching or outpacing demand, offering buyers more options and enabling population growth that could exceed current expectations. The average value of new dwellings developed is $454,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments. In FY-26, there have been $139.2 million in commercial approvals, indicating strong commercial development momentum. Comparatively, Castle Hill shows 104.0% higher new home approvals per person relative to Greater Sydney, creating greater choice for buyers and reflecting strong developer confidence in the area. New building activity comprises 7.0% detached houses and 93.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns of 74.0% houses. This trend suggests diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With around 43 people per dwelling approval, Castle Hill exhibits characteristics of a growth area.

According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, population forecasts indicate Castle Hill will gain approximately 15,750 residents by 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 63 projects that could impact the area. Notable projects include Hills Shire Council's Delivery Program and Operational Plan 2024-2025 Infrastructure Works, Castle Hill Panorama, Castle Towers Expansion, and Hills Showground East Precinct. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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.

The labour market in Castle Hill demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Castle Hill's workforce is highly educated with strong professional services representation. The unemployment rate was 3.5% as of September 2025, which is 0.6% lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation was slightly below the regional average at 66.7%.

According to Census responses, 54.3% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key employment industries included health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. Conversely, transport, postal & warehousing had lower representation at 2.9%, compared to the regional average of 5.3%.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work, suggesting local opportunities exist alongside external ones. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 0.4% while labour force grew by 1.0%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney saw employment growth of 2.1%, labour force growth of 2.4%, and an unemployment rate increase of 0.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, issued in May-25, project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Castle Hill's employment mix suggests local employment could grow by 7.1% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's data for financial year ending June 2023 shows median income in Castle Hill suburb was $59,533. Average income stood at $87,988. This compares to Greater Sydney's median of $60,817 and average of $83,003. Using Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since June 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be around $64,808 (median) and $95,784 (average). According to the 2021 Census, Castle Hill's median weekly household income ranked at the 91st percentile ($2,551). Income distribution shows 29.2% of residents earn over $4,000 weekly, contrasting with Sydney's leading bracket of $1,500 - $2,999 (30.9%). Notably, 43.1% of Castle Hill residents earn above $3,000 weekly. Housing costs consume 15.9% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 90th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Castle Hill, as per the latest Census data, consisted of 73.8% houses and 26.2% other dwellings (including semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings). This differed from Sydney metropolitan areas which had 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Castle Hill stood at 36.7%, with mortgaged properties at 39.2% and rented dwellings at 24.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Castle Hill was $3,000, surpassing the Sydney metro average of $2,427. The median weekly rent figure for Castle Hill was recorded at $560, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Castle Hill's median monthly mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 82.8% of all households, including 48.0% couples with children, 24.9% couples without children, and 9.0% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 17.2%, with lone person households at 15.9% and group households comprising 1.3%. The median household size is 3.0 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Educational achievement in Castle Hill places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Castle Hill's educational attainment exceeds national averages: 47.0% of residents aged 15+ have university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and NSW's 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common (29.3%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (14.6%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational pathways account for 24.1%, with advanced diplomas at 11.2% and certificates at 12.9%. Educational participation is high, with 31.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 10.3% in primary, 9.6% in secondary, and 6.5% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.3% in primary education, 9.6% in secondary education, and 6.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Castle Hill has 298 active public transport stops offering a mix of lightrail and bus services. These stops are served by 236 individual routes, facilitating 14,570 weekly passenger trips in total. The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents located an average of 170 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential region, most commuters travel outward, primarily by car at 82%. Train usage stands at 8%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.5 per dwelling, exceeding the regional norm.

According to the 2021 Census, 54.3% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency across all routes averages 2,081 trips daily, equating to roughly 48 weekly trips per individual stop. The map provided displays the 100 nearest stops relative to the location's centerpoint.

Castle Hill's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Castle Hill's health outcomes show remarkable results based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 62% of the total population (26,912 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 6.4 and 5.8% of residents respectively, while 75.2% reported being completely free from medical ailments, slightly higher than the Greater Sydney average of 74.6%. Castle Hill has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 20.9% (9,124 people) compared to Greater Sydney's 15.4%. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

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

Castle Hill has high cultural diversity, with 43.8% speaking a language other than English at home and 45.4% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion, at 52.6%. Hinduism is overrepresented, comprising 6.6%, compared to Greater Sydney's 5.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (17.2%), Chinese (16.2%), and Australian (15.6%). Notably, Korean (2.8%) and Sri Lankan (0.9%) ethnicities are overrepresented in Castle Hill compared to regional averages of 1.1% and 0.3%, respectively.

Castle Hill's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Castle Hill is 42 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. The age group of 45-54 has a strong representation at 14.7%, compared to Greater Sydney, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 7.7%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 15-24 age group has grown from 12.5% to 14.5% of the population, and the 75-84 cohort increased from 6.2% to 7.4%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort has declined from 14.5% to 13.6%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Castle Hill, with the 45-54 age group projected to grow by 44%, adding 2,810 people and reaching a total of 9,229 from the current figure of 6,418.