Red Hill
Household income in the 99.5th percentile nationally and a SEIFA IRSAD decile of 10 make Red Hill one of the most advantaged suburbs in the country, yet the population of 3,146 is contained within 4.86 square kilometres at a density of 647 per square kilometre, well below the Canberra average. Professionals and managers account for the top two occupation groups, and university qualification rates reach 68%, which is 37.9 points above the national figure. The suburb holds a detached-dominant housing stock, with 79.3% separate houses and 60.9% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms, reflecting a predominantly family-oriented, established-wealth profile.
Population
3,146
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$3,938/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
21
Median House
$810K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price sits at an estimated $810,000, derived from 2025 rental data, and the dominant stock is freestanding houses at 79.3% of all dwellings. Four-plus bedroom homes make up 60.9% of the total, which is unusually high compared to most ACT suburbs, reflecting the large-block, family-home character of the area. Monthly mortgage repayments average $3,500, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 20.5%, well below the 30% stress threshold given household incomes in the 99.5th percentile nationally. Outright owners at 40.5% outnumber mortgage holders at 37.0%, a sign that much of the housing is held by long-term, debt-free residents rather than recent buyers entering the market.
For Buyers
The median house price sits at an estimated $810,000, derived from 2025 rental data, and the dominant stock is freestanding houses at 79.3% of all dwellings. Four-plus bedroom homes make up 60.9% of the total, which is unusually high compared to most ACT suburbs, reflecting the large-block, family-home character of the area. Monthly mortgage repayments average $3,500, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 20.5%, well below the 30% stress threshold given household incomes in the 99.5th percentile nationally. Outright owners at 40.5% outnumber mortgage holders at 37.0%, a sign that much of the housing is held by long-term, debt-free residents rather than recent buyers entering the market.
For Investors
With only 22.5% of households renting and a vacancy rate of 10.3%, the rental market in Red Hill is thin and carries meaningful vacancy risk relative to higher-density ACT suburbs. Weekly rent of $500 against an $810,000 estimated median implies a gross yield near 3.2%. Net internal migration averages positive 92 persons per year and overseas migration adds 47 annually, providing steady underlying demand. Development activity recorded 21 applications in the past 12 months, including at least one lease variation for dual-dwelling construction, which is moderate for a suburb of 3,146 people. Rent growth of 35.5% over the measured period outpaced income growth of 25.3%, which narrows affordability for incoming tenants but supports yield for existing landlords.
Development Activity
Total DAs
93
Last 12 Months
21
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+200.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Red Hill iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Canberra Grammar School
K-12 · 2116 students
Red Hill Primary School
K-6 · 720 students
St Bede's Primary School
K-6 · 261 students
Demographics
The median age of 42 is 2 years above the national figure, and the senior share of the population rose 1.8 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 2.1 points, consistent with gradual aging in place. University qualifications at 68% run 37.9 points above the national average, the highest tier of educational attainment nationally. Overseas-born residents reach 29.6%, which is 8 points above national. Ancestry is Anglo-Celtic in character, led by English (1,058), Irish (380) and Scottish (354), with Chinese ancestry at 195. Average household size is 2.8, which is 0.3 above national, consistent with the high share of couples with children: 1,191 family households have dependent children and 521 are couples without children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
79.3%
Houses
7.3%
Townhouse
13.4%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure skews toward ownership: 40.5% own outright and 37.0% hold a mortgage, leaving renters at 22.5%, well below the ACT average. The outright-owner share exceeding the mortgage share reflects long-term, established wealth rather than a market driven by recent purchasers. Separate houses dominate at 79.3%, with apartments at just 13.4% and semi-detached at 7.3%. Four-plus bedroom dwellings account for 60.9%, and three-bedroom homes add 24.3%, which means small dwellings under two bedrooms make up only 14.7% of stock. The monthly mortgage payment averages $3,500, and rent-to-income sits at 12.7%, both comfortably below stress thresholds. The 10.3% vacancy rate is elevated and likely reflects the premium pricing filtering out a broader rental population.
Mortgage / mo
$3,500
Rent / wk
$500
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$1,469
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.3%
Unoccupied
116
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
12.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
21.1%
Couples, no children
2,469
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public Admin is the largest employing industry at 31.7% (406 workers), more than double its national share, because proximity to the parliamentary triangle and federal departments draws a highly credentialled workforce. Professional and Technical services follow at 19.2% (246 workers) and Healthcare at 15.9% (204 workers). By occupation, Professionals number 645 and Managers 381, together representing the dominant employment profile. The unemployment rate of 3.5% is low, and the full-time employment rate of 66.5% is solid. All four SEIFA indexes sit at decile 10, the top national tier, covering education and occupation (IEO), economic resources (IER), relative disadvantage (IRSD) and advantage (IRSAD). Real income grew 25.3% over the decade. Volunteering reaches 25.9%, well above national norms.
Unemployment
1.7%
Labour Force
2,011
Unemployed
34
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.5%
Part-time
30.0%
Participation
63.1%
Employed
1,560
Occupations
Top Industries
University
68.0%
Postgraduate
26.2%
Born Overseas
29.6%
Dwellings
1,009
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high at 80.9% driving to work, reflecting Red Hill's low-density suburban form, while 7.5% walk or cycle and only 3.6% use public transport, lower than the national average. All four SEIFA indexes reach decile 10, the top national advantage tier, placing Red Hill among the least-disadvantaged suburbs in Australia. Housing stress is absent: rent-to-income at 12.7% and mortgage-to-income at 20.5% both sit below stress thresholds. Residents requiring daily assistance number 156, representing 5.1% of the population. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring Deakin, Garran or Griffith. The resident turnover rate of 27.9% is moderate, meaning 72.1% of residents stayed over the measured period, suggesting a stable, long-term community.
Drive
80.9%
Public Transport
3.6%
Walk / Cycle
7.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.47%/yr
(+17 people/yr)
EstablishedAnnual population growth is 0.47%, adding roughly 17 persons per year, and the medium forecast holds the population near 3,464 to 3,549 through 2031. The 10-year population change registers at negative 3.2%, classifying Red Hill as an established, slow-growth suburb rather than an expansion zone. COVID produced a 2.5% dip that has since fully recovered, with the current population of 3,581 sitting 14.5% above the COVID low of 3,128. Internal migration contributes a net positive 92 persons annually and overseas migration adds 47, giving a balanced migration base. The gentrification score stands at 37 with an early-signs stage, supported by net internal migration and COVID recovery, though the suburb's existing decile 10 advantage leaves limited room to climb further.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+47
Net Internal / yr
+92
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Net internal migration +92/yr, Accelerating: -4% → 11%, COVID recovered (-2% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Red Hill compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Red Hill a good suburb to live in?
Red Hill ranks at decile 10 on all four SEIFA indexes nationally, placing it among the most advantaged suburbs in Australia. Household incomes sit in the 99.5th percentile, university qualifications reach 68% (37.9 points above national), and housing stress is absent with mortgage-to-income at 20.5%. The trade-off is a high estimated median house price of $810,000 and limited public transport options.
What is the median house price in Red Hill?
The median house price is estimated at $810,000 based on 2025 rental data. Weekly rent averages $500 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $3,500, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.5%. Separate houses make up 79.3% of stock, and 60.9% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms.
What schools are in Red Hill?
No schools are recorded within the Red Hill boundary in this dataset. Families typically access schools in neighbouring suburbs such as Deakin, Garran and Griffith. The local population is among the most highly educated in the country, with 68% holding university qualifications, which is 37.9 points above the national figure.
Is Red Hill safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Red Hill in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 10 on the IRSD index of relative socioeconomic disadvantage, the highest tier nationally, and only 5.1% of residents (156 people) need daily assistance. These indicators are consistent with a low-disadvantage, stable residential area with a 72.1% resident retention rate.
Is Red Hill good for property investment?
The 10.3% vacancy rate is elevated and merits caution for investors targeting rental yield. Weekly rent of $500 against an $810,000 estimated median implies a gross yield near 3.2%. However, net internal migration of positive 92 persons annually and rent growth of 35.5% over the period support medium-term demand. Returns likely depend on capital growth rather than yield, given the premium price point.
How is Red Hill's population changing?
Population growth runs at 0.47% annually (roughly 17 persons per year), and the 10-year change is negative 3.2%, classifying the suburb as established and slow-growing. The current population of 3,581 has recovered fully from a COVID dip of 2.5%, sitting 14.5% above the 2020 low. Medium forecasts project a gradual rise to around 3,549 by 2031.
How much development is happening in Red Hill?
There were 21 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, a moderate level for a suburb of 3,146 people. Applications include a lease variation for demolition and construction of 2 dwellings and a new detached studio, consistent with infill activity rather than large-scale new supply. This moderate development pace aligns with the suburb's established character and slow annual population growth of 0.47%.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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