The Hill
At 2,076 residents on just 0.55 square kilometres, The Hill is a dense Newcastle inner-city suburb shaped by apartments, renters and professional households. Apartments account for 61.8% of dwellings, while 55.2% of residents rent and vacancy is 12.9%, creating more turnover than in a typical owner-occupier area. The median age is 34, six years below the national figure, and university attainment is 60.5%, 30.4 percentage points above national levels. Compared with nearby Cooks Hill and Newcastle East, The Hill presents a particularly compact, apartment-led housing profile with strong access to central employment and services.
Local council: Newcastle
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
The Hill suits buyers who value apartment or semi-detached living more than a conventional detached-house setting. The apartment share is higher than the separate-house share, at 61.8% versus 13.5%, while 2-bedroom dwellings make up 42.8% of stock and 3-bedroom homes account for 27.5%. A typical mortgage repayment is listed at $2,167 per month, with mortgage costs at 27.1% of household income and no mortgage stress flag. Compared with a house-oriented suburb, buyers here should focus on strata fees, building condition, parking and outlook as closely as the purchase price. The 21.1% rent-to-income figure also suggests renting remains relatively manageable for many households.
For Buyers
The Hill suits buyers who value apartment or semi-detached living more than a conventional detached-house setting. The apartment share is higher than the separate-house share, at 61.8% versus 13.5%, while 2-bedroom dwellings make up 42.8% of stock and 3-bedroom homes account for 27.5%. A typical mortgage repayment is listed at $2,167 per month, with mortgage costs at 27.1% of household income and no mortgage stress flag. Compared with a house-oriented suburb, buyers here should focus on strata fees, building condition, parking and outlook as closely as the purchase price. The 21.1% rent-to-income figure also suggests renting remains relatively manageable for many households.
For Investors
The Hill has a clear renter market, with 55.2% of households renting compared with 24.7% owning outright and 19.7% paying a mortgage. Weekly rent is $390, while the 12.9% vacancy rate is elevated, so income potential needs to be weighed against leasing risk and apartment competition. There were 23 development applications in the past 12 months, which may add further choice for tenants if projects proceed. Rent growth of 26.4% supports the investment case, and overseas migration is the primary forecast growth driver. Renting is higher than outright ownership, but investors should compare building quality, strata costs and vacancy history rather than assume every apartment will perform equally.
Development Activity
Total DAs
125
Last 12 Months
23
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+21.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The Hill has a younger and more highly educated profile than Australia overall: its median age is 34, six years below the national figure, while 60.5% of residents have university qualifications, 30.4 percentage points above the national comparison. Average household size is 2.0 people, 0.5 below the national figure, and couples without children represent 55.9% of families. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry are the largest reported backgrounds, with counts of 910, 320 and 292. No religion is reported by 1,153 people, compared with 687 identifying with Christianity. In contrast with more family-oriented pockets around Cooks Hill and Newcastle East, The Hill has a compact, adult-focused demographic pattern, although its 40.1% turnover rate indicates considerable movement.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
13.5%
Houses
24.6%
Townhouse
61.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing in The Hill is more apartment-led than house-led, with 61.8% apartments, 24.6% semi-detached dwellings and 13.5% separate houses. Two-bedroom homes are the dominant format at 42.8%, followed by 3-bedroom dwellings at 27.5%, while 15.6% have zero or 1 bedroom and 14.1% have 4 or more. Renting is higher than the combined outright ownership and mortgage shares, at 55.2% versus 44.4%, which helps explain the suburb's 12.9% vacancy rate and 40.1% resident turnover. Compared with Cooks Hill and Newcastle East, The Hill's stock is especially suited to singles, couples and smaller households. Buyers should compare apartment levies and maintenance obligations alongside any sale price.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $390.
$700
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $750 · units $670
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
30.1%
Couples with children
55.9%
Couples, no children
11.4%
Single parent
481
Total families
Economy & Employment
The local employment base is concentrated in service industries, led by healthcare at 28.2% and education at 15.3%, followed by professional and technical work at 12.7%, public administration at 8.8% and construction at 5.2%. Professionals number 586, while community and personal service workers number 172 and managers 145. Participation is 75.1%, unemployment is 4.3% and 58.5% of employed residents work full-time. Household income of $1,849 per week sits at the 66.9th percentile, above the national midpoint, while SEIFA places the suburb in decile 8 for IRSAD and decile 9 for IRSD. The combination of professional employment, high education and strong participation supports demand for central housing and services.
Unemployment
4.3%
Labour Force
1,403
Unemployed
60
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.5%
Part-time
35.7%
Participation
75.1%
Employed
1,343
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
60.5%
Postgraduate
18.2%
Born Overseas
17.6%
Dwellings
954
Transport to Work
The Hill's 0.55 square kilometre footprint supports a compact lifestyle, but transport behaviour remains mixed. Car driving accounts for 50.0% of journeys, compared with 1.2% using public transport and 10.7% walking or cycling, while 36.7% work from home. The walked and cycled share is lower than the driver share, so daily convenience will depend on the exact address, parking needs and proximity to services. Families should confirm current school catchments, nearby options and sector types against the exact address because central Newcastle enrolment boundaries can be specific. Socioeconomic conditions are comparatively strong, with IRSAD in decile 8, IRSD in decile 9, IEO in decile 8 and IER in decile 9. The compact apartment setting may suit professionals and smaller households better than larger families seeking detached space.
Drive
50.0%
Public Transport
1.2%
Walk / Cycle
10.7%
Work from Home
36.7%
Growth Outlook
The Hill's forecast annual growth trend is 0.66%, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 7.4% over ten years, indicating steady rather than rapid expansion. The shift trajectory is Aging, supported by a 4.6 percentage-point rise in the senior share and a 2.7 point decline in the working share. Compared with a younger growth profile, this points to changing household demand over time. The gentrification measure gives a score of 4 and stage of Not gentrifying, although a separate shift indicator records a score of 27 and Early signs. Rent growth of 26.4% adds pressure to affordability even as the affordability trend is labelled Improving.
Population trend: Newcastle council area
The Hill sits in the Newcastle council area. These are the council area's residents, not The Hill's.
Residents 2025
178,935
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.2%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.1%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
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 can suit residents wanting a compact Newcastle lifestyle, apartment choice and access to central services. It has 61.8% apartments, 60.5% university-educated residents and a median age of 34. Compared with a low-density family suburb, it is better suited to singles, couples and professionals who value location over large yards.
What is the median house price in The Hill?
A single median house price should be treated cautiously because only 13.5% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 61.8% apartments and 24.6% semi-detached homes. Buyers should compare recent sales by dwelling type, bedroom count, strata costs and condition rather than rely on one figure for the whole suburb.
What schools are in The Hill?
School access in The Hill is address-specific, so families should check current enrolment zones and nearby Newcastle options before signing a lease or contract. The suburb covers only 0.55 square kilometres, but compact geography does not remove catchment or sector boundaries. Confirm whether each option is government, Catholic or independent.
Is The Hill safe?
A definitive safety rating should not be assumed without checking current street-level information. Review NSW Police and local council updates, inspect the exact block at different times and consider apartment access arrangements. The suburb has a density of 3,748 residents per square kilometre across 0.55 square kilometres, so conditions can vary between streets.
Is The Hill good for property investment?
The Hill may suit investors targeting apartments and a strong renter base: 55.2% of households rent, weekly rent is $390 and rent growth is 26.4%. However, the 12.9% vacancy rate is elevated and 23 development applications were recorded in 12 months. Compare strata costs, building quality and leasing history before buying.
How is The Hill's population changing?
Growth is steady rather than rapid, with an annual forecast trend of 0.66% and population change across the wider area of 7.4% over ten years. Overseas migration is the main driver, while the trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 4.6 percentage points. The gentrification stage is Not gentrifying, with a score of 4.
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 education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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