Hilltown is a small village within the townland of Carcullion in County Down, Northern Ireland. Hilltown is the main village of the parish of Clonduff which contains the village and the rural areas around it at one end, and the rural enclave of Cabra at the other end of the parish. It had a population of 899 people in the 2001 census. On 27 March 2011, the usually resident population of Hilltown was 1,709. History Hilltown sprang up within the townland called Carcullin, later Carcullion (whose name is derived from the Irish Carr Cuilin). The town was named after the Hill family. The Hill family were English politicians who also gave their name to nearby Hillhall and Hillsborough. The Hills founded the village in 1766 so that people living in the area could find employment in the linen industry. In early 1853 the constable in charge of the local Royal Irish Constabulary station, A Dunlop, exchanged posts with the constable in Rostrevor, A Morton. Morton remained in charge of the Hilltown station until after 1869. Despite it early history, Hilltown is a strong nationalist/republican village. During the troubles, it had a small paramilitary presence, mainly through the Provisional Irish Republican Army. Irish culture is very important and prominent in the village and surrounding area that comprises the Clonduff parish. The local Gaelic Athletic Association club, Clonduff plays a major role in the community. Demography 2001 census On Census Day (29 April 2001) there were 899 people living in Hilltown. Of these: 27.0% were aged under 16 years and 14.4% were aged 60 and over; 48.8% of the population were male and 51.2% were female; 96.9% were from a Roman Catholic background and 2.8% were from a Protestant background; and 5.1% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed. 2011 census On Census Day (27 March 2011) the usually resident population of Hilltown Settlement was 1,709 accounting for 0.09% of the NI total. In Hilltown Settlement, considering the resident population: 99.94% were from the white (including Irish Traveller) ethnic group; 93.56% belong to or were brought up in the Catholic religion and 4.86% belong to or were brought up in a 'Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian related)' religion; 11.76% indicated that they had a British national identity, 57.40% had an Irish national identity and 32.24% had a Northern Irish national identity; 21.85% had some knowledge of Irish; 2.04% had some knowledge of