The Hills Shire · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A top score of 10 for overall advantage makes The Hills Shire one of the most prosperous areas in the country. This wealth is backed by high levels of education and job skills, which helps explain the area's overall strength. It is a rapidly expanding region, with a population that has grown by 15.6% since 2021.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is The Hills Shire — higher than 99% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area ranks among the highest in the nation for overall advantage, with a score of 1,136 compared to the national average of 1,000. It also holds the highest possible rating of 10 for access to money, resources, and job skills.
10
Higher than 99% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
10
Higher than 99% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
10
Higher than 99% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
10
Higher than 99% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
1,136
Higher than 98% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
Growth in the area has been very strong, with the population rising by 15.6% since 2021. This increase is well above the New South Wales figure of 6.1%.
222,675
Higher than 87% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
15.6%
Higher than 97% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Commercial activity is high, with 27,164 businesses operating in the shire. There is also significant construction underway, with 3,702 new dwellings approved.
27,164
Higher than 87% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
3,702
Higher than 92% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in The Hills Shire [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA17420/the-hills-shire/topic/economy-advantage
