Suburb report · NSW 2428
Forster
Prepared by the property strategists at Chase Wealth Australia
Compare with
Investment Score
Enter your details to see this suburb's Investment Score, medians, yields and growth.
Population
14,534
Forster suburb profile
Who lives in Forster
At 224km from central Sydney, Forster runs as its own regional market. With 14,534 residents, Forster is in the largest fifth of New South Wales suburbs, well above the 4,135 of the median suburb. Among the 763 New South Wales suburbs and towns more than 40km from the Sydney CBD, it ranks 22 by population. The median resident of Forster is 58, well above the 40 of the median New South Wales suburb. Of the 763 New South Wales suburbs and towns more than 40km from the Sydney CBD, 724 have a younger median age.
Income and home ownership
Households here earn a median $56,000, in the lowest fifth of New South Wales suburbs, where the median suburb reaches $104,500. On household income it ranks 715 of 763 New South Wales suburbs and towns more than 40km from the Sydney CBD. 72.2% of households own their home and 27.8% rent, close to the 73.1% ownership of a typical New South Wales suburb. On ownership it ranks 455 of 763 New South Wales suburbs and towns more than 40km from the Sydney CBD.
Household mix
The 2021 Census counted 6,253 occupied private dwellings in Forster, one of the larger housing stocks in New South Wales. People living alone are the largest household type at 35.1%, ahead of families with children at 27.1% and couples at 34.7%. Of the 761 New South Wales suburbs and towns more than 40km from the Sydney CBD, 704 have a higher share of families with children and 54 a lower one. Few New South Wales suburbs have fewer families with children: 27.1% of households, at the 8th percentile. The 34.7% share of couples without children is among the highest in New South Wales.
Housing supply
Approvals held steady across the Forster statistical area: 140 in the year to June 2025, against its 2020 to 2024 average of 142 a year. Supply figures here are for the Forster statistical area, home to 15,043 residents in 2025, which closely matches Forster. Per head of population the pipeline is deep: 9.3 approvals per 1,000 residents of that area against 3 for the median New South Wales area. Over the 6 years to June 2025, annual approvals ranged from 27 in 2020 to 251 in 2022.
Population trend
The population of the Forster statistical area grew 2.1% from 2020 to 2025, against 5.9% for New South Wales as a whole. The median New South Wales statistical area grew 2.5% over the same 5 years, 0.4 points faster than this one. That rate is faster than 46% of New South Wales statistical areas. Growth was strongest in the year to 2024 (1.1%) and weakest in the year to 2021 (-0.4%).
Against its neighbours
Of the suburbs profiled in the region listed below, Medowie differs most on the share of people living alone: 14.5% there against 35.1% in Forster. Taree is the closest match on the median household income, at $55,700 against $56,000. Port Macquarie sits 91km away, with a median household income of $74,300 against $56,000 here.
Location
Demographics
ABS Data by Region to 2025, on ABS Census 2021 suburb baselineHousehold Mix Census 2021
Growth Projection Calculator
Projections for Forster load with the full report once your details are in.
Similar Suburbs
Reading this report
Every figure in the Forster data table is dated at its source. Supply and population change cover the Forster statistical area, whose boundary differs from Forster's, and our guide to reading a suburb report explains how our buyers agents weigh them.
$100M+
in property acquired for clients
1,200+
properties sourced and settled
500+
clients guided the whole way
98%
client retention rate
Speak with a Property Expert
Book a strategy session. We'll review your position and map your next purchase.
What best describes you?
This report is market intelligence prepared by Chase Wealth Australia for general information only. Figures are statistical estimates for the suburb, not valuations of any individual property, and do not constitute financial or credit advice. Consider your circumstances and seek professional advice before acting. Demographic figures are sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census 2021 (licensed CC BY 4.0) where available.