Hollywell

Demographics

The median age of 51 places Hollywell 11 years above the national median, and the trajectory reinforces this: the senior share rose 8.7 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 6.0 points. Couples without children account for 38.0% of families, consistent with an empty-nester and retiree profile. Overseas-born residents are 22.9%, slightly above national averages by 1.3 points. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic: English (1,399), Irish (364) and Scottish (344) are the top three groups. University qualifications reach 27.3%, which is 2.8 points below the national rate, reflecting a working and retired population rather than a knowledge-sector concentration. Average household size is 2.4, marginally below the national figure.

Ownership in Hollywell is unusually weighted toward outright ownership: 44.3% own without a mortgage versus 33.8% on a mortgage and 21.9% renting, a pattern consistent with retirees and long-term coastal holders. Separate houses account for 68.3% of dwellings, with semi-detached at 14.7% and apartments at 16.7%, giving the suburb a predominantly low-density residential character. Three-bedroom homes make up 49.7% and four-plus bedroom 36.1%, so smaller or starter configurations are limited. The vacancy rate of 8.7% is notable and suggests the rental stock has not been fully absorbed, which is relevant to investors considering entry. Rent-to-income at 28.3% remains below the 30% stress threshold for current tenants.

Community Profile

Economy & Employment

Construction leads the local employment mix at 16.7% (151 workers), followed by Healthcare at 14.3% (130) and Education at 10.8% (98), with Professional/Tech at 10.6% (96) and Retail at 6.6% (60). By occupation, Professionals (279) and Managers (216) are the top two roles, indicating a higher-skilled workforce than the industry split alone suggests. The unemployment rate is 4.2% on a participation rate of 51.5%, with 995 residents not in the labour force, largely explained by the older age profile. Real income grew 14.5% over the decade, and the household income sits in the 67.5th percentile nationally. SEIFA IRSD and IER both score decile 8, placing the suburb in the upper advantage tier relative to the national distribution.

Transport to Work

Car dependence is very high: 91.6% of residents drive to work, and only 0.9% use public transport, which is well below state and national averages and reflects the suburb's low-density coastal layout with limited transit infrastructure. Walking and cycling account for 1.9% of commute modes. No schools are recorded within the Hollywell boundary, so families depend on institutions in neighbouring suburbs. SEIFA IRSAD sits at decile 7 and IRSD at decile 8, placing the suburb in the upper-middle to high advantage range nationally. Housing stress indicators are benign: rent-to-income is 28.3% and mortgage-to-income is 26.7%, both below the 30% threshold. The volunteering rate of 12.0% and low assistance-need rate of 5.0% reflect a self-sufficient, socially active resident base.

Population Forecast

Population has grown steadily, rising from 10,417 in 2023 to 10,736 in 2025 and projected to reach approximately 11,552 by 2031 under the medium scenario, representing annual growth of 1.26% (around 135 persons per year). The 10-year population increase is 16.0%, and overseas migration at a net 118 per year is the primary driver, outpacing internal migration of 40. The gentrification score of 6 registers as not gentrifying, which is expected given the suburb is already established with IRSD at decile 8. Affordability improved slightly from 61.0% in 2011 to 55.2% in 2021, indicating a modest improvement in purchasing accessibility. The aging trajectory with a senior share up 8.7 points signals slower organic household formation compared to younger-skewing suburbs.

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Hollywell compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions