Hilltops
Hilltops ranks =84th of 128 overall in NSW, with sustainability the area most needing attention.
"Cherry capital and cool-climate wine — Young, Harden, and Boorowa"
See where Hilltops ranks: Best Councils in New South Wales 2026
New South Wales · regional council · Pop. 19,300
Data last updated: 2023-24 · Data confidence: high
Ranked #84 of 128 councils in New South Wales
Hilltops scores 47/100 overall and sits 49th of 79 regional councils in NSW. Its strongest area is Community Services (58/100); its weakest is Sustainability (35/100).
Hilltops vs the New South Wales average
| Metric | Hilltops | New South Wales average |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 47/100 | 51/100 |
| Sustainability | 35/100 | 51/100 |
| Community Services | 58/100 | 51/100 |
| Lifestyle & Amenity | 47/100 | 51/100 |
Compared with nearby councils
- Wingecarribee — #=89 of 128 in NSW · 46/100
- Wollongong — #=92 of 128 in NSW · 45/100
- Goulburn Mulwaree — #=97 of 128 in NSW · 44/100
Frequently asked questions
How does Hilltops rank in New South Wales?
Hilltops ranks 84th of 128 councils in New South Wales, with an overall score of 47 out of 100. Within its peer group it sits 49th of 79 regional councils.
What is Hilltops's strongest area?
Hilltops performs best on Community Services, scoring 58 out of 100. Its weakest area is Sustainability at 35 out of 100.
How is this score calculated?
The overall score combines four dimensions — Sustainability, Community Services, Lifestyle & Amenity and Core Operations — from official state performance reporting, scored by averaging indicator percentiles measured against comparable councils; a higher score is better, but it is not the percentage of councils beaten. Full details are on the methodology page at https://councilscorer.com/methodology.
Last updated: September 2026 · Suggest a correction
Overall Score
47 out of 100
#49 of 79 regional councils in NSW
#84 in New South Wales
Score Breakdown
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Sustainability | 35/100 |
| Community Services | 58/100 |
| Lifestyle & Amenity | 47/100 |
| Core Operations | 47/100 |
What This Means For You
Among regional councils, Hilltops performs strongest in Community Services (scoring 58 out of 100 against peers), with room to improve in Sustainability (currently 35 out of 100).
What Makes This Place Unique
Cherry capital and cool-climate wine — Young, Harden, and Boorowa
Hilltops covers Young (the cherry capital), Harden, and Boorowa in the southwest slopes of NSW.
Known For
- Young — National Cherry Festival
- Hilltops wine region — cool-climate excellence
- Cherry orchards and stone fruit
- Heritage farming communities
Living Here
Hilltops offers affordable rural living with growing food and wine credentials. Young has solid services.
Hidden Gem
The Hilltops wine region — increasingly acclaimed cool-climate wines that are still affordable at cellar door.