Gillieston Heights

Gillieston Heights lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population for the Gillieston Heights statistical area (Lv2) is around 5,689. This reflects an increase of 893 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,796. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 5,368 as of Jun 2024, and an additional 434 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 482 persons per square kilometer. Gillieston Heights' growth of 18.6% since the 2021 census exceeded both the non-metro area's growth of 5.7% and the state average. Interstate migration contributed approximately 79.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with natural growth and overseas migration also being positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, exceptional growth is predicted over the period, placing Gillieston Heights (SA2) in the top 10 percent of Australia's regional areas. By 2041, the area is expected to grow by 4,316 persons, reflecting an increase of 70.2% in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Gillieston Heights was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Gillieston Heights recorded around 112 residential properties granted approval each year. Over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 561 homes were approved, with an additional 88 approved so far in FY-26. On average, over these five years, there were about 1.8 new residents per dwelling constructed annually. However, this rate has moderated to 0.7 people per dwelling over the past two financial years.

The average value of new homes being built is $321,000. In FY-26, commercial approvals totaled $50.7 million, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Rest of NSW, Gillieston Heights records 84.0% more development activity per person, suggesting strong developer confidence in the location. Recent construction comprises 50.0% standalone homes and 50.0% medium and high-density housing, providing accessible entry options for downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This is a significant shift from the current housing mix of 86.0% houses. The location has approximately 35 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Future projections show Gillieston Heights adding 3,995 residents by 2041, with building activity keeping pace with growth projections.

However, buyers may face heightened competition as the population grows.

Gillieston Heights has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Four projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area: Ravensfield Estate Farley, The Loxford Estate, Maitland Mental Health Rehabilitation Project, and Maitland Local Housing Strategy 2041.

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

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The employment landscape in Gillieston Heights presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.6%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

Gillieston Heights has an evenly distributed workforce across white and blue-collar jobs, with essential services well represented. Its unemployment rate is 3.6%, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

As of September 2025, there are 2,707 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 0.2% lower than Rest of NSW's 3.8%. Workforce participation is high at 73.3%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries for employment among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Notably, mining employs 2.9 times the regional average, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 0.7% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.3%.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work, indicated by Census working population to local population count. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.4%, with employment declining by 2.5%, while unemployment remained stable. In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced a 0.5% employment decline and a 0.1% labour force decline, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.2% over ten years for Gillieston Heights, based on its current employment mix.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

The suburb of Gillieston Heights had a median taxpayer income of $62,697 and an average income of $77,797 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This is notably higher than the national figures, with Rest of NSW having a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth, current estimates suggest approximately $68,252 (median) and $84,690 (average) as of September 2025. Census data indicates that incomes in Gillieston Heights cluster around the 68th percentile nationally, with 41.5% of the population earning between $1,500 and $2,999. This aligns with the surrounding region where this income cohort represents 29.9%. Housing costs consume 18.0% of income in Gillieston Heights, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 61st percentile nationally. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Gillieston Heights is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Gillieston Heights' dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 85.6% houses and 14.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). Non-Metro NSW had 87.1% houses and 13.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Gillieston Heights was 19.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 42.4% and rented ones at 38.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,950, exceeding Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,862. Median weekly rent in Gillieston Heights was $430, higher than Non-Metro NSW's $375. Nationally, Gillieston Heights' mortgage repayments were above the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially higher at $430 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 79.2% of all households, consisting of 38.4% couples with children, 26.9% couples without children, and 12.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 20.8%, with lone person households at 18.6% and group households making up 2.0%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.7.

Educational attainment in Gillieston Heights aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 16.5%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. This indicates a need for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 45.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.2%) and certificates (33.9%).

Educational participation is high, with 31.5% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.6% in primary education, 5.9% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Gillieston Heights has 30 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 21 different routes that together facilitate 264 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as excellent, with residents on average being located just 199 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 37 trips per day across all routes, which amounts to approximately eight weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Gillieston Heights is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Gillieston Heights faces significant health challenges, with common health conditions prevalent across all age groups but to a higher degree among older cohorts. Approximately 58% (~3,279 people) have private health cover, compared to 54.8% in Rest of NSW.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 12.2 and 9.7% of residents respectively. 66.8% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 63.4% in Rest of NSW. As of 5 August 2021, 8.9% (506 people) are aged 65 and over, lower than the 15.4% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those for the broader population.

Gillieston Heights is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Gillieston Heights had a cultural diversity level below average, with 90.2% of its population born in Australia, 92.8% being citizens, and 92.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 48.3%. The most significant overrepresentation was seen in the 'Other' category, comprising 1.1%, compared to Rest of NSW's 0.7%.

In terms of ancestry, Australian (33.8%), English (30.1%), and Scottish (6.8%) were the top represented groups. Notably, Australian Aboriginal (6.0% vs 5.1%), Macedonian (0.2% vs 0.1%), and Maori (0.6% vs 0.4%) were overrepresented compared to regional averages.

Gillieston Heights hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

At 30 years, Gillieston Heights' median age is considerably lower than the Rest of NSW average of 43, and substantially under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Rest of NSW, Gillieston Heights has a higher concentration of 25-34 residents at 21.9%, but fewer 55-64 year-olds at 5.7%. This 25-34 concentration is well above the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 15.8% to 16.7% of the population. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 6.5% to 5.7%. Demographic modeling suggests Gillieston Heights' age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 25 to 34 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 78%, adding 974 residents to reach a total of 2,220.