Median house price
$888k
+6.3% change
NSW · Mid-Coast Council
Forster, 2428
Est. population · Jun 2025
14,589
Growth (1 yr)
+0.8%
Growth (5 yr)
+2.1%
Median age
57
Median income
$1,009/wk
Employment rate
39.2%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$888,000
Languages at home
4%non-English
Most common: Nepali, Spanish, Arabic
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Forster is a regional established suburb in Mid-Coast Council, oriented around local life rather than the metro orbit of Sydney. Day-to-day life leans on nearby towns and local hubs rather than the metro area. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees.
Local shops, markets and community spots keep everyday life grounded in the town itself. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many regional towns, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
Desirability sits around average overall, with community and employment, plus schools and education the main drag compared with similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Forster snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$550/wk
Houses $650 · Units $460
Population (ERP)
14,589
+0.8% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
19.7%
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
#100
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
63rd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
61st
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
2/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
20th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
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
- 43.1/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 46% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 3226th in Australia
- State rank
- 982nd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #100 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #252 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $460
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $650
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $550
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 207
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $888,000
- Median price change
- +6.3%
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; October to December 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
14,589(June 2025)
+0.8% annual · +2.1% over 5 years · 61th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.8%
- 5-year growth
- +2.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +122
- Change in 5 years
- +299
- Growth rank in NSW
- 61th 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 (~14,850), extrapolated at +0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 14,187
- Median age
- 57
- Median household income / week
- $1,009
- Dwelling vacancy
- 19.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 1,530 of 7,781
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 39.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 4,037 / 942 / 1,119 (+ 131 other)
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)
- 1,268
- Against the person
- 334
- Against property
- 510
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 86.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 42 residents
- State safety percentile
- 62.9th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -6%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order133
- Breach Bail Conditions216
- Domestic Violence Related Assault185
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment205
- Malicious Damage To Property170
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
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 936
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 20th
School list
- Great Lakes College Forster CampusSecondary · Government · ICSEA 936 · 20th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 478 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 0.7 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Childcare
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Lillypilly Pre-schoolkindergarten
- kindergartenCross Streetkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
412 public transport stops in this suburb
- Becker Rd After Churchill Rd
- Becker Rd At Strand St
- Becker Rd Before Churchill Rd
- Forster Coach Terminal, Little St
- Pioneer Dr At Kiola Pl
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
46 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 places of worship
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 23 parks mapped in suburb
- Well connected by public transport — 412 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 30/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.62
Community(2)
- Lillypilly Pre-schoolKindergarten
- Great Lakes College Forster CampusSchool
2 Cape Hawke Drive, Forster
Health & services(1)
- Sweet Pea animal HospitalVeterinary
5 Sweet Pea Road
Sport & outdoors(8)
- Dolphin ReservePark
- Elizabeth ReservePark
- Elouera ReservePark
- Friendship ReservePark
- Island ReservePark
- Roebuck ReservePark
- Victor ReservePark
- Wyuna ReservePark
Transport(28)
28 bus stops
Other(7)
- Lakeside Forster Holiday ParkCaravan Site
13 Tea Tree Road, Forster
- Parking
- Forster Christian Life CentrePlace of worship
- Australia PostPost Box
- Slipway
- Palm Lake Resort Forster LakesSocial Facility
- Social Facility
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
Parks & reserves
18 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bennetts Head ReservePark
- Boronia ParkPark
- Dolphin ReservePark
- Elizabeth ReservePark
- Elouera ReservePark
- End and RecoveryPark
- Forster Heights ParkPark
- Friendship ReservePark
- Island ReservePark
- Marcel Terry ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 110
- Parks (OSM)
- 23
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
- Forster Christian Life Centre
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 4
- Nearest hospital
- Forster Private Hospital (4.0 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- AmcalPharmacy
- Forster Dental CentreWallis StreetDentist
- Forster Private HospitalSouth StreetHospital
- Skin Cancer ClinicWest StreetDoctor
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)
- 435
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 29.8
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° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 372 mm · ~46 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 329 mm · ~41 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 148 mm · ~18 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 218 mm · ~27 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· 90 proposals
August 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Water recreation structure41 KING GEORGE PARADE FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool14 STEPHEN STREET FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 COLLITON PARADE FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure34 SEAVIEW STREET FORSTER 2428Determined
- Shop top housing; Seniors housing; Erection of a new structure4 LAKE STREET FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)8 BREESE PARADE FORSTER 2428On Exhibition
- Subdivision60 SUNSET AVENUE FORSTER 2428On Exhibition
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation2 LAKEVIEW CRESCENT FORSTER 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool19 BECKER ROAD FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool8 TUMBARUMBA WAY FORSTER 2428Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Supporting Development14 ROEBUCK KEY FORSTER 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure33 CHURCHILL ROAD FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 MARINE DRIVE FORSTER 2428Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation23 TIMBERTOP AVENUE FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport3 TUMBARUMBA WAY FORSTER 2428Additional Information Requested
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure16 BECKER ROAD FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure34 SEAVIEW STREET FORSTER 2428Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Jetty12 ROEBUCK KEY FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space; Residential Accommodation112 BECKER ROAD FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Animal boarding or training establishment5 SWEET PEA ROAD FORSTER 2428Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah89 MYALL DRIVE FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool3 LOVEDALE WAY FORSTER 2428Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure11 MURRAY AVENUE FORSTER 2428Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home21 CABARITA AVENUE FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure114 MACINTOSH STREET FORSTER 2428Additional Information Requested
- Attached dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation3 ALICE STREET FORSTER 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)80 AKALA AVENUE FORSTER 2428Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure168 THE LAKES WAY FORSTER 2428On Exhibition
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah23 LAKEVIEW CRESCENT FORSTER 2428Determined
- Demolition; Shop top housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation49-55 WHARF STREET FORSTER NSW 2428Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure12 ELIZABETH PARADE FORSTER 2428Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool44 SUNSET AVENUE FORSTER 2428Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool6 TUMBARUMBA WAY FORSTER 2428Withdrawn
- Medical centre; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia3 BOONA STREET FORSTER 2428Determined
April 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah26 BOUNTY KEY FORSTER 2428Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)7 PANORAMA CRESCENT FORSTER 2428Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport23 UNDARA CIRCUIT FORSTER 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 GUY AVENUE FORSTER 2428Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation77 PIONEER DRIVE FORSTER 2428Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Electricity generating facility (solar and wind); Other Infrastructure3-17 BREESE PARADE FORSTER 2428Determined
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
- Lyne
- Member of Parliament
- Alison PENFOLD (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 129,584
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.9%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.0 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 59.8%Labor 40.2%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 19.4 km away).
Coalition 55.4%Labor 44.6%
4.4 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +6.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Forster KeysLabor 42.4% · Coalition 57.6% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
- Forster SouthLabor 45.0% · Coalition 55.0% TPP (2025)4.2 km away
- Forster EastLabor 49.4% · Coalition 50.6% TPP (2025)6.1 km away
- Coomba ParkLabor 49.6% · Coalition 50.4% TPP (2025)6.9 km away
- TuncurryLabor 44.7% · Coalition 55.3% TPP (2025)8.3 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)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
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
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Mid-Coast Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.