🔍

Hillcrest

SA 5086 • Greater Adelaide

3,659
Population (2021)
$39,468
Median Income
1.15 km²
Area
$319/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyAffordableInner City

About Hillcrest

Hillcrest is a compact residential suburb located approximately 10 kilometres northeast of the Adelaide CBD, within the City of Port Adelaide Enfield local government area. With a population of 3,659 recorded at the 2021 Census, the suburb covers just 1.15 square kilometres of predominantly post-war housing stock. Hillcrest is bounded by Northgate, Gilles Plains, Holden Hill, and Windsor Gardens, placing it in the established middle ring of metropolitan Adelaide. The suburb was historically associated with the Hillcrest Hospital, a former state government psychiatric facility whose buildings have since been largely absorbed into the neighbouring suburb of Oakden.

Residents of Hillcrest enjoy convenient access to the retail and dining amenities of Holden Hill and Gilles Plains, as well as the nearby Westfield Tea Tree Plaza at Modbury. The suburb is well served by Adelaide Metro bus routes and is within reasonable distance of the O-Bahn Busway at Holden Hill, providing a fast connection to the Adelaide CBD. Hillcrest appeals to first-home buyers and families seeking an affordable, established suburb with good access to schools such as Hillcrest Primary School and Gilles Plains Primary School. The community has a settled, owner-occupier character with a mix of long-term residents and newer arrivals.

Hillcrest falls under postcode 5086 and is governed by Port Adelaide Enfield Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Torrens electorate.

📍 Location

State
South Australia
Postcode
5086
Urban Area
Port Adelaide - Enfield - East
LGA / Council
Port Adelaide Enfield
Federal Electorate
Sturt
State Electorate
Torrens
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-34.86°, 138.65°
Statistical Area
Greater Adelaide
Area
1.15 km²
Elevation
82m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Holden Hill (O-Bahn stop)
1.8 km
22 min

Bus Services

  • 140, 141, 142 — Adelaide CBD 35–45 min
  • 280, 281 — Modbury/Tea Tree Plaza 10–15 min

Commute to Adelaide CBD

Distance
10 km
By Train
N/A – use O-Bahn bus from Holden Hill (~25 min)
By Car (Peak)
20–30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
15–20 min

🛣️ Adelaide Metro buses connect to the O-Bahn Busway at Holden Hill for a rapid CBD commute.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Local streets are walkable with footpaths throughout. Most amenities require a short drive or bus trip.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$319
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,602
Avg Household Size
2.6 people
Median Age
35 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
11.1%

103 state housing + 49 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,369
Census 2021
3,659
▲ 8.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$30,368
Income 2021
$39,468
▲ 30.0% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,004
Born Overseas 1,506

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. India 580
  • 2. China 146
  • 3. England 92
  • 4. Malaysia 54
  • 5. Philippines 50
  • 6. Iran 39
  • 7. Sri Lanka 39
  • 8. Vietnam 39
  • 9. New Zealand 25
  • 10. Hong Kong 23

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 929
Australian 780
Indian 572
Chinese 322
Italian 204
Irish 183
German 158
Scottish 148
Greek 71
Australian Aboriginal 70

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,215
Both parents born in Australia
1,985
Both parents born overseas
304
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
33.8%
Christianity
31.9%
Hinduism
13.8%
Islam
5.6%
Sikhism
5.1%
Buddhism
3.6%
Judaism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
297 (8.1%)
5-14 years
448 (12.2%)
15-19 years
171 (4.7%)
20-24 years
216 (5.9%)
25-34 years
656 (17.9%)
35-44 years
621 (17.0%)
45-54 years
410 (11.2%)
55-64 years
331 (9.0%)
65-74 years
252 (6.9%)
75-84 years
154 (4.2%)
85+ years
99 (2.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Hillcrest SA located? +

Hillcrest SA (postcode 5086) is a suburb about 10 km northeast of Adelaide CBD, in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield local government area.

What is the population of Hillcrest SA? +

According to the 2021 Census, Hillcrest SA had a population of 3,659 residents.

How do I get from Hillcrest SA to the Adelaide CBD? +

Adelaide Metro buses connect Hillcrest to the O-Bahn Busway at Holden Hill, with a total journey to the city of around 25–35 minutes. By car the trip takes approximately 20–30 minutes in peak traffic.

What schools are in Hillcrest SA? +

Hillcrest has two government primary schools: Hillcrest Primary School on Condamine Street and Gilles Plains Primary School on Beatty Avenue.

Is Hillcrest SA a good suburb to buy in? +

Hillcrest is considered an affordable, established suburb with good bus connections to Adelaide CBD, making it popular with first-home buyers and families.