McGraths Hill

An assessment of population growth drivers in McGraths Hill reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of February 2026, the estimated population of McGraths Hill is around 2,668, reflecting a 5.2% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 2,537 people. This growth is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 2,366 as of June 2024, following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS and address validation since the Census date. The population density ratio is 863 persons per square kilometer, similar to averages seen across other locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, McGraths Hill's compound annual growth rate has been 1.4%, outpacing the state. Natural growth contributed approximately 48.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including overseas migration and interstate migration being positive factors. For future projections, AreaSearch is adopting 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.

Exceptional growth is predicted over the period 2022 to 2041, with McGraths Hill expected to grow by 2,061 persons, reflecting an increase of 75.9% in total population over these 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in McGraths Hill according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data shows McGraths Hill averaged around 1 new dwelling approval per year over the past 5 financial years, totalling an estimated 8 homes. So far in FY-26, 4 approvals have been recorded. This averages out to approximately 14.9 new residents per year for every home built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating demand significantly outpaces supply. New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost value of $522,000, suggesting a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties.

There have also been $154,000 in commercial approvals this financial year, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, McGraths Hill records markedly lower building activity, which generally supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings. However, development activity has picked up in recent periods. This is also below average nationally, indicating the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. All new construction has been detached houses, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

The estimated population count of 746 people per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Future projections show McGraths Hill adding 2,024 residents by 2041. Should current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified two major projects that could impact this region. Notable projects include Melonba Woolworths Neighbourhood Shopping Centre, Newpark Estate, Pitt Town Bypass, and Multiple Residential Subdivisions Box Hill. The following details those most likely to be relevant:.

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

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The employment landscape in McGraths Hill shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

McGraths Hill's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs. The construction sector is prominent, with an unemployment rate of 5.6% as of September 2025. This rate is 1.4% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation in McGraths Hill is high at 84.6%, compared to Greater Sydney's 70.0%. According to Census responses, 28.8% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries are construction, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Construction employment levels are notably high, at 2.4 times the regional average.

Conversely, professional & technical services show lower representation at 4.0%, compared to the regional average of 11.5%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, McGraths Hill's labour force increased by 0.6% while employment declined by 0.1%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.6 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.1%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to McGraths Hill's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 12.7% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

The suburb of McGraths Hill has a higher income level than the national average according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year ended June 2023. The median income among taxpayers in McGraths Hill is $61,127 and the average income stands at $74,204. In comparison, Greater Sydney's figures are $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 8.86% since June 2023, estimated current incomes would be approximately $66,543 (median) and $80,778 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in McGraths Hill are at the 74th percentile nationally. The largest income segment comprises 39.7% earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly (1,059 residents), similar to the metropolitan region where this cohort represents 30.9%. High housing costs consume 17.1% of income, leaving disposable income at the 75th percentile nationally. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in McGraths Hill, as per the latest Census, consisted of 92.2% houses and 7.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Sydney metro's 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in McGraths Hill was at 28.8%, similar to Sydney metro, with mortgaged dwellings at 50.5% and rented dwellings at 20.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,392, below Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent was recorded at $450, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, McGraths Hill's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 82.0% of all households, including 42.5% couples with children, 22.6% couples without children, and 16.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 18.0%, with lone person households at 16.3% and group households comprising 1.4%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

McGraths Hill shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's university qualification rate is 15.3%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 40.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 11.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 44.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.9%) and certificates (33.7%). Educational participation is high, with 28.9% currently enrolled in formal education: 11.7% in primary, 7.4% in secondary, and 2.7% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.7% in primary education, 7.4% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transportation in McGraths Hill shows that there are 41 active transport stops currently operating. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 28 individual routes providing service to the area. Together, these routes facilitate approximately 420 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of public transportation is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 111 meters from their nearest transport stop. As McGraths Hill is predominantly residential, most residents commute outward for work or other purposes. Despite this, the car remains the primary mode of transport, used by 94% of residents.

On average, there are 1.9 vehicles per dwelling in the area, which exceeds the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a significant proportion of residents, specifically 28.8%, work from home, which may be partly due to COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages around 60 trips per day, equating to roughly 10 weekly trips per individual stop.

McGraths Hill's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

McGraths Hill's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks, as assessed by AreaSearch using mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are seen at a standard level across both young and old age cohorts.

Private health cover is very high in McGraths Hill, at approximately 56% of the total population (~1,500 people), compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 7.7% and 7.0% of residents respectively. 72.9% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. McGraths Hill has 11.9% of residents aged 65 and over (317 people), lower than Greater Sydney's 15.4%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than those of the general population.

McGraths Hill ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

McGraths Hill's population showed low cultural diversity, with 87.9% born in Australia and 92.3% being citizens. English was the primary language spoken at home by 92.5%. Christianity dominated religiously, comprising 57.9%, compared to Greater Sydney's 49.2%.

Ancestry revealed Australian descent at 30.6%, English at 28.3%, and Scottish at 7.7%, all higher than regional averages of 17.8% for Australian, 19.0% for English. Notably, Maltese (2.7%), Russian (0.5%), and Lebanese (1.2%) groups were disproportionately represented compared to regional figures of 1.0%, 0.4%, and 2.6% respectively.

McGraths Hill hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

McGraths Hill's median age is 34 years, which is lower than Greater Sydney's average of 37 and Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, McGraths Hill has a higher percentage of residents aged 0-4 (8.4%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (5.8%). Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the population aged 15-24 has grown from 11.8% to 13.4%, while the 75-84 age group increased from 3.4% to 4.7%. Conversely, the 65-74 age group declined from 6.7% to 5.8%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes in McGraths Hill, with the strongest projected growth in the 25-34 age cohort, which is expected to increase by 96%, adding 380 residents and reaching a total of 778.