Hill Top (Wingecarribee - NSW)

Population growth drivers in Hill Top are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

The population of the suburb of Hill Top (Wingecarribee - NSW) is estimated to be around 2,802 as of May 2026. This figure represents an increase of 10 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,792. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population at 2,796 in June 2025, considering the latest ERP data release by the ABS and an additional 13 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 73 persons per square kilometer. Hill Top's growth rate of 0.4% since the census is within 2.2 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 2.6%. Natural growth contributed approximately 81.0% of 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, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Future population trends indicate a significant increase in the top quartile of Australia's regional areas, with Hill Top expected to grow by 743 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 26.3% over the 16-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Hill Top, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Hill Top has recorded around 6 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past 5 financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 30 homes were approved, with an additional 4 approved so far in FY-26. On average, about 1.8 new residents arrive per new home each year over these past 5 financial years. However, this has intensified to 4.8 people per dwelling over the past 2 financial years, indicating growing popularity and potential undersupply.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $400,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments. This year, $175,000 in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating the area's residential nature. Compared to Rest of NSW, Hill Top has significantly less development activity, at 67.0% below the regional average per person. Recent development has been entirely comprised of standalone homes, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated count of 1135 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment.

Looking ahead, Hill Top is expected to grow by 737 residents through to 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Hill Top has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

No infrastructure changes will influence a region's performance more than local modifications. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that could impact this area. Significant projects include Tahmoor South Coal Project, South Pacific Offshore Wind Project, Sydney-Canberra Rail Connectivity And Capacity, and Paling Yards Wind Farm. The following list details those most relevant.

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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Hill Top performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Hill Top's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs. The construction sector stands out with a 1.7% unemployment rate and 1.0% employment growth in the past year, according to AreaSearch data aggregation. As of December 2025, 1,466 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.3%, below Regional NSW's 3.9%.

Workforce participation is high at 68.2%, compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%. Home workership stands at a moderate 17.0%, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Leading industries are construction, retail trade, and health care & social assistance. Manufacturing is specialized with an employment share of 1.7 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented at 0.9%.

Limited local opportunities are indicated by Census working population vs resident population counts. Between December 2024 and 2025, employment levels increased by 1.0%, labour force by 2.1%, leading to a 1.0 percentage point unemployment rise. This contrasts with Regional NSW where employment fell by 1.2%, labour force contracted by 0.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across sectors. Applying these projections to Hill Top's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.8% over five years and 12.4% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

The suburb of Hill Top had a median taxpayer income of $53,091 and an average income of $114,827 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This is notably higher than the national median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215 in Regional NSW. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be approximately $58,570 (median) and $126,677 (average). Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Hill Top are around the 58th percentile nationally. In terms of income distribution, 38.6% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999, which is similar to the regional pattern where 29.9% fall within this range. Housing costs consume 17.5% of income in Hill Top, yet strong earnings place disposable income at the 58th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Hill Top is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Hill Top's dwellings, as per the latest Census, were 98.9% houses and 1.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Hill Top was at 26.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 60.8% and rented ones at 13.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, higher than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Hill Top was $435, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Hill Top's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,000 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially higher at $435 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 78.3 percent of all households, including 38.4 percent couples with children, 25.2 percent couples without children, and 13.5 percent single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 21.7 percent, with lone person households at 19.4 percent and group households comprising 2.6 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Hill Top faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 12.7%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 9.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 45.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.9%) and certificates (35.7%). Educational participation is high at 28.1%, with 10.6% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 2.2% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.6% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 2.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Hill Top has 44 active public transport stops, all serving buses. These are covered by 13 different routes, offering a total of 134 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is good, with residents typically living 213 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards, preferring cars at a rate of 97%. On average, there are 2.0 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional norm. In 2021 Census data (which may reflect COVID-19 conditions), 17% of residents worked from home.

Service frequency averages 19 trips daily across all routes, equating to roughly 3 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Hill Top is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Hill Top faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 72% of the total population (2,021 people), compared to 51.9% across Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are asthma and arthritis, impacting 9.5% and 9.2% of residents respectively. Sixty-six point five percent of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents show above average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 13.5% of residents aged 65 and over (378 people), which is lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Hill Top had a cultural diversity level below average, with 87.8% of its population born in Australia, 93.7% being citizens, and 95.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Hill Top, comprising 53.4% of people. However, Judaism showed notable overrepresentation, making up 0.1% compared to Regional NSW's 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (32.1%), Australian (31.4%), and Scottish (8.0%). Some ethnic groups had significant representation differences: Hungarian at 0.4% in Hill Top vs regional 0.2%, Maltese at 1.0% vs regional 0.4%, and Macedonian at 0.4% each.

Hill Top's population is younger than the national pattern

Hill Top's median age is 34, which is lower than Regional NSW's figure of 43 and Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to the regional average, Hill Top has an over-representation of the 35-44 cohort at 16.3% locally, while the 65-74 age group is under-represented at 7.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 35-44 age group grew from 13.6% to 16.3%, while the 45-54 cohort declined from 13.2% to 11.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Hill Top's age profile will change significantly. The 35-44 age group is projected to expand by 191 people (42%), growing from 456 to 648. Meanwhile, the 15-24 cohort grows modestly by 2%, adding just 6 people.