Hillarys
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Hillarys's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, was approximately 11,920 by August 2025. This figure represents a rise of 720 individuals, a 6.4% increase from the 2021 Census which reported a population of 11,200. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 11,918 in June 2024 and an additional 47 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,901 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Hillarys's growth rate of 6.4% since the census places it within 2.2 percentage points of the national average (8.6%), indicating strong growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 82.4% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in the area.

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 and to estimate growth post-2032, AreaSearch uses growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Future population trends suggest a modest increase, with an expected expansion of 804 persons to 2041, resulting in a total gain of 6.7% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Hillarys recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Hillarys averaged approximately 27 new dwelling approvals per year. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, Hillarys had 139 homes approved, with three more approved so far in FY26. Each home built over these five years has accommodated an average of 3.7 new residents per year, indicating supply lagging demand and potential heightened buyer competition leading to pricing pressures.

The average construction value of new homes was $557,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments. This financial year saw $23.0 million in commercial approvals, indicative of balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Perth, Hillarys has around three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 26th percentile nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and interest in existing homes. This lower-than-average national activity reflects the area's maturity and possible planning constraints.

New building activity shows 89.0% detached dwellings and 11.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining Hillarys' suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. With around 762 people per approval, Hillarys demonstrates its established nature. Population forecasts project an increase of 802 residents by 2041. Current construction rates appear balanced with future demand, promoting steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.

Hillarys has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 16 such projects that are likely to impact the area. Notable among these are Hillarys Cycle Network Expansion, Hillarys Boat Harbour Activation Master Plan, Martinique Mews Hillarys, and Sorrento Coastal Path Extension. The following list details those expected to be most relevant.

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

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

Hillarys has an educated workforce with professional services well represented. Its unemployment rate is 1.4% and it experienced a 4.1% employment growth in the past year as of June 2025.

There are 6,983 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 2.4%, below Greater Perth's 3.9%. Workforce participation is similar to Greater Perth at 65.2%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. Education & training has a notable concentration, being 1.3 times the regional average, while transport, postal & warehousing has limited presence at 2.6% compared to the regional 4.7%.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. From June 2024 to June 2025, employment increased by 4.1% and labour force by 4.0%, with unemployment remaining unchanged. In contrast, Greater Perth had an employment growth of 3.7% and a 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. Statewide in WA as of Sep-25, employment contracted by 0.82%, losing 14,590 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. National comparisons show WA lagging behind national employment growth of 0.26% and a national unemployment rate of 4.5%. Future employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia indicate national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industries. Applying these projections to Hillarys' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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

In AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2022, Hillarys' median income among taxpayers is $62,871 with an average of $84,058. This ranks among the highest in Australia compared to Greater Perth's median of $58,380 and average of $78,020. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 11.61% from July 2022 to March 2025, current estimates would be approximately $70,170 (median) and $93,817 (average). According to the Census conducted in August 2021, Hillarys' household, family, and personal incomes rank highly nationally, between the 77th and 90th percentiles. The earnings profile shows that 27.8% of locals (3,313 people) predominantly fall within the $4000+ category, unlike surrounding regions where 32.0% are in the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Economic strength is evident with 41.5% of households earning high weekly incomes exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. After housing costs, residents retain 88.1% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

Hillarys' dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 89.6% houses and 10.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Perth metro had 88.7% houses and 11.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Hillarys was at 45.4%, with the rest being mortgaged (41.0%) or rented (13.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Hillarys was $2,400, higher than Perth metro's average of $2,080. Weekly rent in Hillarys was recorded at $490, compared to Perth metro's $400. Nationally, Hillarys' mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households are the majority, accounting for 83.3% of all households. They consist of 40.9% couples with children, 32.9% couples without children, and 8.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 16.7%, with lone person households making up 15.3% and group households at 1.5%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Greater Perth average of 2.7.

Hillarys 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 35.1% among residents aged 15+, which exceeds both the Western Australia average of 27.9% and the SA4 region average of 29.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 24.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.9%) and graduate diplomas (3.8%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 32.4% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 12.6% while certificates make up 19.8%.

Educational participation is high at 29.3%, including 9.6% in primary education, 9.5% in secondary education, and 6.0% pursuing tertiary education. Hillarys Primary School and St Mark's Anglican Community School serve a total of 2,376 students. Hillarys Primary School demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, with an ICSEA score of 1100. The educational mix includes one primary school and one K-12 school.

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

The analysis of public transport in Hillarys indicates that there are 53 active transport stops currently operating. These stops cater to a mix of bus routes, with a total of 6 individual routes serving the area. Together, these routes facilitate 1,593 weekly passenger trips.

The report rates transport accessibility as good, with residents on average located approximately 239 meters from their nearest transport stop. On average, service frequency across all routes amounts to 227 trips per day, translating to roughly 30 weekly trips per individual stop.

Hillarys's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Analysis shows strong health performance across Hillarys with low prevalence of common conditions across all ages. Private health cover rate is high at approximately 62% (7,438 people), compared to 59.3% in Greater Perth and a national average of 55.3%. Common conditions are arthritis (7.3%) and asthma (6.2%), with 72.9% reporting no medical ailments, compared to 71.5% in Greater Perth.

The area has 22.6% seniors (2,691 people), higher than Greater Perth's 20.1%. Senior health outcomes are strong and better than the general population in metrics.

Hillarys was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Hillarys, surveyed in 2016, had a higher proportion of residents speaking a language other than English at home, with 10.7%, compared to the regional average of 35.4%. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 56.0% of Hillarys' population, slightly higher than Greater Perth's 49.6%. The top three ancestral groups were English (31.8%), Australian (22.6%), and Irish (8.1%).

Notably, South African ancestry was overrepresented at 1.8%, while Welsh was at 1.0% and Polish at 1.1%, differing from regional averages of 1.8%, 1.1%, and 0.9% respectively.

Hillarys hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Hillarys has a median age of 44, which exceeds Greater Perth's figure of 37 and is substantially higher than the national norm of 38. The 65-74 age group constitutes 12.9% of Hillarys' population, compared to Greater Perth. Meanwhile, the 25-34 cohort makes up 7.4%. According to the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 4.9% to 8.0% of Hillarys' population, while the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 15.8% to 13.9%. Demographic modeling indicates significant changes in Hillarys' age profile by 2041. The 75 to 84 group is projected to grow by 81%, reaching 1,728 people from the current 954. This growth will be led by those aged 65 and above, who are expected to comprise 93% of Hillarys' population growth. Conversely, the 55 to 64 and 0 to 4 age cohorts are projected to experience population declines.