Median house price
—
No data available
NSW · Blayney Council
Forest Reefs, 2798
Est. population · Jun 2025
578
Growth (1 yr)
+0.9%
Growth (5 yr)
+4.7%
Median age
43
Median income
$2,343/wk
Employment rate
63%
Languages at home
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Forest Reefs is a quieter smaller community in Blayney Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with family life visible on every street. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting.
Local green pockets are modest, with bigger outdoor outings usually found in neighbouring areas. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. Housing is expensive relative to much of the state.
Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. Occasional new builds add variety while most of the suburb keeps its established look.
Desirability lands around average here: softer parks and green space, plus local dining and lifestyle amenities weighing on the result versus similar regional towns, even with community and employment holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Forest Reefs snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$525/wk
Population (ERP)
578
+0.9% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
4.0%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#34
among Country & regional · Established
Safety
1st
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
62nd
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 50.8/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 29% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2056th in Australia
- State rank
- 612th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #34 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #106 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 70%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $525
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent and sales tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · January to March 2026 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
578(June 2025)
+0.9% annual · +4.7% over 5 years · 62th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.9%
- 5-year growth
- +4.7%
- Change in 1 year
- +5
- Change in 5 years
- +26
- Growth rank in NSW
- 62th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~600), extrapolated at +0.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 537
- Median age
- 43
- Median household income / week
- $2,343
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 7 of 175
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,174
- Employment rate
- 63%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 168 / 0 / 0
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 10
- Against the person
- 4
- Against property
- 4
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 17.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 134 residents
- State safety percentile
- 1.4th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -28.4%
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault2
- Fraud3
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment4
- Malicious Damage To Property7
- Sexual Touching, Sexual Act And Other Sexual Offences3
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Rolling 12-month windows
Family & Lifestyle
Public transport
85 public transport stops in this suburb
- 11 Hillside Lane
- 28 Hillside Lane
- 46 Carcoar Rd
- Forest Reefs Rd Before Eucalyptus Cl
- Forest Reefs Rd Opp Burtons Lane
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
3 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 pubs · 1 places of worship
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Well connected by public transport — 85 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 32/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.86
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0
Food & drink(1)
- Forest Reefs TavernPub
Other(2)
- Parking
- Forest Reefs Uniting ChurchPlace of worship
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 1
- Parks (OSM)
- 0
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Forest Reefs Uniting Church
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Orange Health Service (16.4 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 13
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 22.5
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 28° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 191 mm · ~24 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 164 mm · ~20 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 12° / 3°
- Rainfall
- 216 mm · ~27 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 19° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 226 mm · ~28 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal.
2026· 11 proposals
August 2026
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureERROWANBANG ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Under Assessment
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation38 HILLSIDE LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
May 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure41 BURRELL LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure663 FOREST REEFS ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure18 HOLLAND CLOSE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
April 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure66 EUCALYPTUS CLOSE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Aerials, antennae and communication dishes; Air-conditioning units; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Barbecues and other outdoor cooking structures; Clothes hoists and clothes lines; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Entertainment associated with existing premises; Fences; Garage, carport or carparking space; Ho639 TALLWOOD ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure40 BURRELL LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure651 FOREST REEFS ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation134 LONG SWAMP ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
January 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure8 LONG SWAMP ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
2025· 4 proposals
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure344 WATTERSONS LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
September 2025
- Subdivision207 LONG SWAMP ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
June 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure8 BLUETT CLOSE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Aerials, antennae and communication dishes; Air-conditioning units; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Barbecues and other outdoor cooking structures; Clothes hoists and clothes lines; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Entertainment associated with existing premises; Fences; Garage, carport or carparking space; Ho639 TALLWOOD ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
2024· 7 proposals
September 2024
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure65 EUCALYPTUS CLOSE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
August 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Rainwater tanks40 BURRELL LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
July 2024
- Subdivision344 WATTERSONS LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
May 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure8 LONG SWAMP ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
March 2024
- Subdivision28 HILLSIDE LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Animal shelters; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia570-571 FOREST REEFS ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
January 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation455 TALLWOOD ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
2023· 13 proposals
November 2023
- Demolition; Farm building339-343 TALLWOOD ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
October 2023
- Subdivision8 BLUETT CLOSE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
September 2023
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Animal boarding or training establishment239 CARBINE ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development283 CARBINE ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
- Shed22 BURRELL LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
June 2023
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces9 BURRELL LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
March 2023
- Farm buildings; Shed345 WATTERSONS LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development275 Forest Reefs Road Milnthorpe NSW 2798Determined
- Shed67 EUCALYPTUS CLOSE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
February 2023
- Farm buildings; Shed239 CARBINE ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
January 2023
- Dual occupancy32 Burrell Lane Forest Reefs 2798Determined
- Subdivision of land28 HILLSIDE LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development; Change of use13 CALVERT LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
2022· 4 proposals
November 2022
- Dwelling; Dual occupancy551 FOREST REEFS ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
June 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development592 FOREST REEFS ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
April 2022
- Other281 WATTERSONS LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
February 2022
- Dwelling; Shed481 Spring Terrace Road Forest Reefs 2798Determined
2021· 2 proposals
December 2021
- Alterations and additions to residential development; Change of use13 CALVERT LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
October 2021
- Dual occupancy; Farm buildings760 TALLWOOD ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Calare
- Member of Parliament
- Andrew GEE (Independent)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 124,664
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.7%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +3.2 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 62.3%Labor 37.7%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 18.9 km away).
Coalition 64.3%Labor 35.8%
2.0 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +5.7 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Spring TerraceLabor 35.9% · Coalition 64.1% TPP (2025)8.3 km away
- Spring HillLabor 34.7% · Coalition 65.3% TPP (2025)10.4 km away
- MillthorpeLabor 36.0% · Coalition 64.0% TPP (2025)10.8 km away
- LucknowLabor 30.1% · Coalition 69.8% TPP (2025)15.8 km away
- CarcoarLabor 37.8% · Coalition 62.2% TPP (2025)17.6 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
This suburb ranks highly for
More in Blayney Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.