The Hill
At 0.55 square kilometres with a population density of 3,748 people per km2, The Hill packs more residents into less space than most Newcastle-area suburbs, and 61.8% of those dwellings are apartments. University qualifications reach 60.5%, which is 30.4 percentage points above the national average, making this one of the most educated pockets in the region. Household income sits in the 66.9th percentile nationally, while SEIFA scores place the suburb in decile 8 on IRSAD and decile 9 on IRSD, indicating well above average advantage. The resident profile skews younger at a median age of 34, six years below the national figure, and renters make up 55.4% of households.
Population
2,076
Median Age
34.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,849/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
23
Median House
$760K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price stands at $760,000, rising 18.8% from $673,500 in 2024 to $800,000 in 2025, a one-year gain that outpaces most established Newcastle suburbs. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.1%, below the 30% stress threshold, which means buying here remains serviceable relative to local incomes. Stock is apartment-dominant at 61.8%, with only 13.5% of dwellings being separate houses, so buyers competing for the scarce detached stock face limited supply. Two-bedroom dwellings account for 42.8% of the market and three-bedroom for 27.5%, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 14.1%. Only 24.8% of households own outright and 19.8% hold a mortgage, compared against the 55.4% renting majority, pointing to a market where owner-occupier purchases swim against a predominantly rental tide.
For Buyers
The median house price stands at $760,000, rising 18.8% from $673,500 in 2024 to $800,000 in 2025, a one-year gain that outpaces most established Newcastle suburbs. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.1%, below the 30% stress threshold, which means buying here remains serviceable relative to local incomes. Stock is apartment-dominant at 61.8%, with only 13.5% of dwellings being separate houses, so buyers competing for the scarce detached stock face limited supply. Two-bedroom dwellings account for 42.8% of the market and three-bedroom for 27.5%, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 14.1%. Only 24.8% of households own outright and 19.8% hold a mortgage, compared against the 55.4% renting majority, pointing to a market where owner-occupier purchases swim against a predominantly rental tide.
For Investors
A renter majority of 55.4% gives landlords a deep tenant pool, with weekly rents at $390. The vacancy rate of 12.9% is elevated, signalling some oversupply in the apartment segment that makes up 61.8% of dwellings, so investors should underwrite with that softness in mind. Overseas migration drives 190 net arrivals per year, well above the internal outflow of 23, which underpins medium-term rental demand more than domestic population churn. Development activity reached 22 applications in the past 12 months, including residential flat building and subdivision works, suggesting the area is still attracting investment in new supply. Population grew 7.4% over the decade and the forecast median scenario adds a further 868 residents by 2031, providing a baseline demand floor for landlords.
Development Activity
Total DAs
121
Last 12 Months
23
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+15.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in The Hill iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Newcastle Grammar School
K-12 · 1049 students
Demographics
The median age of 34 sits six years below the national figure, driven by a high share of younger professionals: Professionals account for 586 of the workforce, more than triple the next largest occupation group. University qualifications at 60.5% run 30.4 percentage points above the national average, one of the sharper education gaps you find at suburb level. Average household size is 2.0, which is 0.5 below national, consistent with the couples-without-children profile where 44.4% of families have no children. Overseas-born residents stand at 17.6%, sitting 4.0 percentage points below the national rate. Ancestry leans Anglo-Celtic, led by English (910), Irish (320) and Scottish (292), while volunteering participation at 21.3% is notably active for a high-mobility suburb with a 40.1% turnover rate.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
13.5%
Houses
24.6%
Townhouse
61.8%
Apartment
Tenure
The housing mix is clearly apartment-driven: 61.8% of dwellings are apartments, 24.6% semi-detached and just 13.5% separate houses. Renters dominate at 55.4%, with only 24.8% owning outright and 19.8% on a mortgage, well below national ownership norms. The median house price moved from $673,500 in 2024 to $800,000 in 2025, an 18.8% gain in a single year, reaching a peak price of $800,000. Two-bedroom stock makes up 42.8% of dwellings, followed by three-bedroom at 27.5%, which reflects the apartment-dominated supply. Rent-to-income sits at 21.1%, below the 30% stress threshold, so renters here are not unduly burdened relative to their earnings. The vacancy rate of 12.9% is high by comparison with tighter markets and suggests pricing is doing the work of clearing excess supply rather than unmet demand.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$390
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$1,147
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
12.9%
Unoccupied
143
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.1%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
44.4%
Couples, no children
1,194
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates the local economy at 28.2% of workers (298 people), followed by Education at 15.3% (162) and Professional/Tech at 12.7% (134). This concentration in knowledge and care sectors is why the suburb scores decile 8 on IEO despite being renter-majority. Unemployment runs at 4.5%, and the full-time employment rate is 62.1% with 785 full-time and 479 part-time workers. The participation rate of 70.9% is above typical levels, reflecting the working-age skew of the resident population. Real income grew 9.9% over the decade and the SEIFA IRSD score of 1,082 places the suburb in decile 9 nationally, meaning a low proportion of residents face economic hardship relative to most Australian suburbs. Personal weekly income averages $1,147.
Unemployment
3.0%
Labour Force
16,287
Unemployed
481
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
62.1%
Part-time
33.4%
Participation
70.9%
Employed
1,264
Occupations
Top Industries
University
60.5%
Postgraduate
18.2%
Born Overseas
17.6%
Dwellings
954
Transport to Work
Walking and cycling account for 17.0% of commutes, which is exceptionally high by Australian standards and reflects the suburb's compact 0.55 km2 footprint and inner-city location near Newcastle CBD. Car use at 79.3% remains dominant, but the active-mode share is well above national norms. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on neighbouring institutions. The IRSAD decile of 8 and IRSD decile of 9 rank The Hill in the upper advantage tier nationally, and only 2.8% of residents (56 people) need daily assistance. Housing stress is absent by both measures: rent-to-income at 21.1% and mortgage-to-income at 27.1% stay below the 30% threshold, indicating residents are managing housing costs comfortably relative to local income levels.
Drive
79.3%
Public Transport
1.3%
Walk / Cycle
17.0%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.66%/yr
(+174 people/yr)
EstablishedThe Hill is on an aging trajectory despite a relatively young median age of 34: the senior share rose 4.6 points and the working-age share fell 2.7 points over the decade, while young-adult share slipped 1.7 points. Annual population growth is 0.66%, adding around 174 persons per year, and the 10-year total was 7.4%. The medium forecast scenario projects the broader area population reaching 26,878 by 2031, growing steadily from 26,010 in 2026. Overseas migration is the primary driver at a net 190 per year, more than offsetting the net internal outflow of 23. Rent grew 26.4% over the period, notably faster than real income growth of 9.9%, which tightens affordability for incoming renters even as the mortgage-to-income ratio stays below 30%.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+190
Net Internal / yr
-23
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +11% since 2011
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How The Hill compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Hill a good suburb to live in?
The Hill ranks in SEIFA IRSAD decile 8 and IRSD decile 9 nationally, indicating well above average advantage. Household income sits in the 66.9th percentile. The compact 0.55 km2 footprint means walkability is high at 17.0% of commutes, though no schools are recorded within the suburb boundary.
What is the median house price in The Hill?
The median house price is $800,000 as of 2025, up 18.8% from $673,500 in 2024. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167 and weekly rent is $390. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.1% sits below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in The Hill?
No schools are recorded inside The Hill's 0.55 km2 boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Newcastle suburbs. University qualifications among residents reach 60.5%, which is 30.4 percentage points above the national average.
Is The Hill safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for The Hill in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores IRSD decile 9 nationally, the upper tier of relative advantage, and only 2.8% of its 2,076 residents need daily assistance, both consistent with a low-disadvantage area.
Is The Hill good for property investment?
The 55.4% renter majority and overseas migration of 190 net arrivals per year support rental demand. Weekly rent is $390 against a $800,000 median. However, the vacancy rate of 12.9% is elevated and signals some oversupply in the apartment segment, which makes up 61.8% of stock.
How is The Hill's population changing?
Population grows at 0.66% annually, adding about 174 persons per year, with a 7.4% rise over the decade. Overseas migration is the primary driver at 190 net arrivals per year. The medium forecast projects reaching approximately 26,878 by 2031 in the broader area.
How much development is happening in The Hill?
There were 22 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including residential flat building and subdivision works. This indicates active investment in new supply within the suburb, consistent with its apartment-dominant stock and renter-majority character.
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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