Forestdale, QLD: suburb profile

The population of Forestdale QLD is 2,560 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Forestdale is $882 per week ($45,864 per year). Median rent in Forestdale is $500 per week ($2,167 per month). Forestdale has a median age of 43 years, older than the national median of 38. Forestdale has a population density of 421 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Forestdale is England. The most common religion is No religion (32.3% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Vietnamese. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Forestdale is $2,383.

Population
2,560
Census 2021
Median income
$882/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$500/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
43years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021.

Forestdale vs the typical QLD suburb

The median personal income in Forestdale is $882 a week, 18% above the typical QLD suburb ($747). That ranks 378th of 1,527 QLD suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $500 a week, $180 more than the typical QLD suburb. Rent takes 18.7% of the median household income here, against 20.4% in the typical QLD suburb. The median resident is 43, 1 year older than in the typical QLD suburb (42).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureForestdaleTypical QLDDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$882/wk$747/wk +18%$766/wk
Household income$2,675/wk$1,593/wk +68%$1,637/wk
Rent$500/wk$320/wk +56%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,383/mo$1,625/mo +47%$1,733/mo
Median age4342 +1 yrs42
Rent share of household income18.7%20.4% −1.7 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Forestdale, the typical QLD suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Forestdale Population

2,560 residents at the 2021 Census.

Forestdale Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$882/wk
$45,864 per year
Ranked 2,353 of 14,663
Median Rent
$500/wk
$2,167 per month
Ranked 576 of 14,663
Median Age
43years
5 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$2,383/mo
Avg household size: 3.1 · 0.7 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Forestdale Rent Prices & Affordability

19% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $2,675/wk
Median rent $500/wk
Rent to income 18.7%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Forestdale against your income

About $11,592 a month
Median rent $500/wk
Left after rent $2,175/wk
Rent share 18.7%

Forestdale Schools

1
schools nearby
1
government
925
avg ICSEA score
565
total students
Boronia Heights State School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 565 students
925
ICSEA

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Forestdale, with a map

Forestdale Map

Forestdale, Queensland Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Forestdale, Queensland: 27.6638°S, 153.0015°E

Forestdale Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (1)

People in Forestdale

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 51.9% (1,327) Female 48.1% (1,230)

Population Density

421
people per km²
2,560 people · 6.1 km²

Households

3.1
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$2,633
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
5.1%
New Zealand
3.4%
Vietnam
3.3%
India
1.7%
South Africa
1.5%
Taiwan
1.5%
Fiji
1.0%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Vietnamese
5.0%
Mandarin
3.0%
Hindi
1.3%
Punjabi
1.2%
Croatian
0.9%
Cantonese
0.9%
Greek
0.8%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
36.3%
Australian
30.2%
Scottish
10.8%
Irish
10.3%
German
5.8%
Chinese
5.5%
Vietnamese
5.0%
Italian
3.6%
Indian
3.5%
Dutch
2.6%
Greek
1.4%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
32.3%
Catholic
21.1%
Anglican
12.5%
Not stated
5.3%
Christian (other)
3.9%
Buddhism
3.7%
Uniting Church
3.1%
Baptist
2.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

1.3%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
58.9% 1,245
Separated
2.4% 50
Divorced
5.6% 118
Widowed
2.5% 53
Never married
30.6% 646

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
38.1%
Couple: no children under 15
28.0%
Couple: no children
25.6%
One parent: no children under 15
4.3%
One parent: children under 15
4.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
9.4%
2 persons
34.5%
3 persons
18.8%
4 persons
19.6%
5 persons
10.4%
6+ persons
7.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Forestdale

Housing Tenure

Of the 785 occupied private dwellings in Forestdale at the 2021 Census, 5.7% were rented, 45.4% owned outright and 47.3% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
0.8% 6 dwellings
Owned outright
45.4% 356 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
47.3% 371 dwellings
Rented
5.7% 45 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
0.8% 6 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
100.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

2 bedrooms
1.7%
3 bedrooms
19.2%
4 bedrooms
48.2%
5 bedrooms
20.9%
6+ bedrooms
10.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
8.0%
$300-$449/mo
3.0%
$450-$599/mo
1.3%
$600-$799/mo
4.3%
$800-$999/mo
2.0%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
14.4%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
7.0%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
18.4%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
21.4%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
20.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
0.6%
1 vehicle
12.2%
2 vehicles
35.4%
3 vehicles
25.7%
4+ vehicles
26.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Forestdale

Employment

Employed full-time
42.4% 828 people
Employed part-time
21.8% 426 people
Unemployed
2.4% 46 people
Not in labour force
33.4% 652 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
28.7%
Technicians & Trade Workers
18.1%
Managers
17.1%
Clerical & Administrative
15.5%
Community & Personal Service
7.5%
Sales Workers
5.2%
Labourers
4.5%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
3.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.5%
$150-$299/wk
0.6%
$300-$399/wk
0.8%
$400-$499/wk
3.6%
$500-$649/wk
1.7%
$650-$799/wk
3.4%
$800-$999/wk
4.5%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
5.7%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
5.9%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.0%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
3.8%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
9.4%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
9.4%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
11.3%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
7.8%
$4,000+/wk
25.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
11.8%
$1-$149/wk
4.4%
$150-$299/wk
5.5%
$300-$399/wk
3.6%
$400-$499/wk
3.2%
$500-$649/wk
3.6%
$650-$799/wk
7.4%
$800-$999/wk
9.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.6%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.9%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
7.0%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
10.8%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.3%
$3,500+/wk
4.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
77.2%
Did not go to work
11.4%
Car (passenger)
5.8%
Truck
2.5%
Walked only
0.9%
Bus
0.6%
Other
0.5%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.4%
Train
0.4%
Bicycle
0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
67.4%
Year 10 or equivalent
24.3%
Year 11 or equivalent
5.9%
Year 9 or equivalent
2.5%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
35.6%
Bachelor Degree
31.4%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
18.9%
Postgraduate Degree
8.0%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.8%
Certificate I/II
2.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
23.7%
Engineering
22.6%
Health
12.3%
Education
10.2%
Society & Culture
10.2%
Architecture & Building
6.7%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
4.1%
Information Technology
3.9%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.4%
Creative Arts
2.3%
Agriculture & Environment
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
20.3%
Secondary: Government
19.5%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
15.0%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
14.4%
Vocational Education
9.1%
Primary: Catholic
8.9%
Secondary: Catholic
7.5%
Pre-school
5.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
93.0%
Has need for assistance
3.7%
Need for assistance not stated
3.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
170
Arthritis
93
Asthma
86
Diabetes
71
Heart disease
62
Cancer
40
Lung condition
36
Stroke
14
Kidney disease
5
Dementia
4

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
13.4% 273
Did not provide
86.6% 1,762

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
16.5% 336
Not a volunteer
83.5% 1,706

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 3
Previously served
3.3% 67
Never served
96.6% 1,969

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
28.4%
1 child
10.8%
2 children
32.9%
3 children
17.4%
4 children
7.6%
5+ children
2.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
14
1951: 1960
18
1961: 1970
48
1971: 1980
100
1981: 1990
152
1991: 2000
126
2001: 2010
126
2011: 2015
68
2016
7
2019
17
2020
9
2021
13

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

11.8%
moved in the last year
32.1%
moved in the last 5 years
3.3%
unemployment rate (Census)
66.2%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
2,164
Moved from QLD
231
Moved: same area (SA2)
21
Moved from overseas
19
Moved from NSW
10
Moved from TAS
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
21.4%
5: 14 hours
29.1%
15: 29 hours
16.1%
30+ hours
10.3%
Did not do domestic work
23.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
84.1%
Step family: no other children
9.1%
Blended family: no other children
4.6%
Other couple: children only
1.3%
Intact family: other children present
0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Barcaldine
Income: $869/wk Rent: $200/wk $300/wk less rent
Mundingburra
Income: $727/wk Rent: $270/wk $230/wk less rent
Mount Lofty
Income: $965/wk Rent: $340/wk $160/wk less rent
Wamuran
Income: $771/wk Rent: $345/wk $155/wk less rent
Strathdickie
Income: $856/wk Rent: $350/wk $150/wk less rent
Hay Point
Income: $875/wk Rent: $350/wk $150/wk less rent
Tallebudgera Valley
Income: $753/wk Rent: $373/wk $127/wk less rent
Thagoona
Income: $757/wk Rent: $385/wk $115/wk less rent

Suburbs near Forestdale

The closest suburb to Forestdale is Hillcrest (Qld), 2.6 km away.

Hillcrest (Qld)
2.6 km away · income $769/wk · rent $350/wk
Heathwood
3.2 km away · income $1,005/wk · rent $455/wk
Boronia Heights
3.3 km away · income $718/wk · rent $350/wk
Parkinson
3.7 km away · income $845/wk · rent $450/wk
Regents Park (Qld)
4.2 km away · income $798/wk · rent $380/wk
Pallara
5.0 km away · income $990/wk · rent $460/wk

Compare Forestdale

Frequently Asked Questions About Forestdale

What is the population of Forestdale QLD?

The population of Forestdale QLD is 2,560 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 421 people per km². Forestdale is ranked #2,680 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Forestdale?

The median personal income in Forestdale QLD is $882 per week, or $45,864 per year. The median household income is $2,675 per week. Family income is $2,633 per week. Forestdale is ranked #2,353 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Forestdale?

Median rent in Forestdale QLD is $500 per week ($2,167 per month). Rent represents 18.7% of household income, which is considered affordable. Forestdale ranks #576 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Forestdale?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Forestdale QLD is $2,383. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Forestdale?

The median age in Forestdale QLD is 43 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Forestdale a good suburb to live in?

Forestdale is a suburb in Queensland with a population of 2,560. The median income is $882/wk, which is above the typical QLD suburb ($747/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (18.7% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 31067. All dollar figures in AUD.