The opening of the local quarry in the 1880s brought new opportunities to the area and it served as one of the main sources of employment until its closure in the 1970s.

The civil parish includes the hamlet of Andertons Mill, situated northeast of Hill Dale village.

According to the United Kingdom Census 2011, Hilldale parish had a population of 581 people living in 248 households, with an approximate 47:53 ratio of males to females.

In addition, West Lancashire Borough Council publishes its own "list of locally important buildings",[12] which features a large brick villa on Robin Lane divided into two dwellings.

[19] The only place of worship within Hilldale is Parbold Evangelical Church on Chorley Road, which holds a morning and evening service every Sunday.