Hurstville is named from the words "hurst", meaning "wooded eminence", and "ville", meaning "town".
European settlement dates from 1804 when the first land grants were made, although the first occupied land grants were thought to be in 1809. Population was minimal until the 1840s, spurred by improved access. Land was used mainly for farming and timber getting. Growth took place in the 1880s and 1890s, aided by the opening of the Illawarra railway line in 1884. The population grew to about 10,400 by 1891. Expansion continued during the early 1900s, with substantial growth in the 1930s, spurred by the opening of the East Hills railway line. Significant development occurred during the post-war years, accompanied by commercial growth in the City Centre. Growth began to slow from the mid-1980s. The population increased gradually from the early 1990s, rising from about 64,000 in 1991 to about 78,000 in 2011. Most of the recent growth has been in the suburb of Hurstville, particularly from high-rise developments.
Hurstville City is predominantly residential, but also has substantial industrial, commercial and recreational areas. Hurstville functions as a regional centre of southern Sydney. The City encompasses a total land area of about 23 square kilometres.
Hurstville City is served by Stoney Creek Road, Forest Road, King Georges Road and the East Hills and Illawarra railway lines.
Major features of the City include Westfield Hurstville Shopping Centre, Hurstville Entertainment Centre, Johnny Warren Indoor Sports Centre, Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre, Hurstville City Museum & Gallery, Hurstville Oval, Oatley Park and Georges River National Park.
Other features of the area include Hurstville Private Hospital, Croot Park, Doyle Gardens, Hurstville Oval, Kempt Field, Thorpe Park, Warren Reserve, Woodville Park and a number of schools.
The original inhabitants of the Hurstville area are thought to be the Cadigal and Biddegal Aboriginal people
LOCATION AND BOUNDARIES
Hurstville City is located in the southern suburbs of Sydney, about 17 kilometres from the Sydney GPO. Hurstville City is bounded by Canterbury City in the north, Rockdale City in the east, Kogarah City and the Georges River in the south and Salt Pan Creek in the west.
Hurstville City includes the suburbs of Beverly Hills (part), Carlton (part), Hurstville (part), Kingsgrove (part), Lugarno, Mortdale (part), Narwee (part), Oatley, Peakhurst, Peakhurst Heights, Penshurst (part), and Riverwood (part).
Minutes to Sydney Technical School, Hurstville Boys High School, Bethany College, Girls Catholic School, Hurstville Train Station, Westfield Shopping Centre, Parks & Transportation.