Colonel William Light's survey teams worked south from Adelaide throughout 1838 and 1839, leaving various marks across the landscape.

[citation needed] In 1960, Hooker Rex Estates began purchasing land in the region for subdivision and over the next decade had accumulated nearly two hundred hectares.

This division was spoken of as 'landmark residential development', due to the retention of large trees and waterways and subdivisions that fitted with the shape and orientation of the land.

Flagstaff Hill is covered by one Federal Electoral Division, the federal Division of Kingston whose representative is Amanda Rishworth (Australian Labor Party) Flagstaff Hill is covered by the state electoral district of Davenport, whose current member is Erin Thompson (Australian Labor Party).

[5] Flagstaff Hill is part of the Thalassa Ward of the City of Onkaparinga, represented by Councillors Marion Themeliotis and Geoff Eaton.