Forresters Beach, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Forresters Beach NSW is 3,354 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Forresters Beach is $819 per week ($42,588 per year). Median rent in Forresters Beach is $470 per week ($2,037 per month). Forresters Beach has a median age of 44 years, older than the national median of 38. Forresters Beach has a population density of 1,212 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Forresters Beach is England. The most common religion is No religion (40.0% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is German. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Forresters Beach is $2,171.

There were 19 recorded offences in Forresters Beach in 2025-26, a rate of 6 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (12 offences).

Population
3,354
Census 2021
Median income
$819/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$470/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
44years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au), 2025-26.

Forresters Beach vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Forresters Beach is $819 a week, 7% above the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 869th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $470 a week, $85 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 26.7% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 44, 1 year older than in the typical NSW suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureForresters BeachTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$819/wk$765/wk +7%$766/wk
Household income$1,758/wk$1,704/wk +3%$1,637/wk
Rent$470/wk$385/wk +22%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,171/mo$1,965/mo +10%$1,733/mo
Median age4443 +1 yrs42
Rent share of household income26.7%22.6% +4.1 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 Forresters Beach, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Forresters Beach Population

3,354 residents at the 2021 Census.

Forresters Beach Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$819/wk
$42,588 per year
Ranked 3,271 of 14,663
Median Rent
$470/wk
$2,037 per month
Ranked 852 of 14,663
Median Age
44years
6 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$2,171/mo
Avg household size: 2.6 · 0.8 per bedroom

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

Forresters Beach Rent Prices & Affordability

27% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,758/wk
Median rent $470/wk
Rent to income 26.7%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Forresters Beach against your income

About $7,618 a month
Median rent $470/wk
Left after rent $1,288/wk
Rent share 26.7%

Forresters Beach Schools

4
schools nearby
3
government
1037
avg ICSEA score
1,957
total students
The Central Coast Montessori Primary School Independent
Primary · K-6 · 66 students
1100
ICSEA
Wamberal Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 475 students
1048
ICSEA
Bateau Bay Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 614 students
1029
ICSEA
Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College Tumbi Umbi Campus Government
Secondary · 7-10 · 802 students
972
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 Forresters Beach, with a map

Forresters Beach Map

Forresters Beach, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
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Forresters Beach, New South Wales: 33.4086°S, 151.4694°E

Forresters Beach Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (4)

People in Forresters Beach

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.0% (1,612) Female 52.0% (1,743)

Population Density

1,212
people per km²
3,354 people · 2.8 km²

Households

2.6
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$2,206
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
5.2%
New Zealand
1.3%
South Africa
0.7%
Ireland
0.5%
Germany
0.5%
Scotland
0.5%
United States of America
0.4%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

German
0.5%
Spanish
0.4%
Greek
0.4%
Afrikaans
0.4%
French
0.4%
Italian
0.4%
Mandarin
0.3%

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

Ancestry

English
46.0%
Australian
39.8%
Irish
15.8%
Scottish
11.4%
German
3.5%
Australian Aboriginal
3.0%
Italian
2.7%
Dutch
2.0%
Chinese
1.3%
Maltese
1.3%
Greek
1.3%

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
40.0%
Catholic
22.3%
Anglican
18.0%
Not stated
5.5%
Uniting Church
2.3%
Presbyterian and Reformed
2.0%
Christian (other)
1.9%
Baptist
1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

3.0%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
55.9% 1,519
Separated
2.7% 73
Divorced
8.4% 229
Widowed
6.1% 166
Never married
26.8% 729

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
41.1%
Couple: no children
30.7%
Couple: no children under 15
17.3%
One parent: children under 15
6.9%
One parent: no children under 15
4.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
23.1%
2 persons
35.8%
3 persons
13.7%
4 persons
17.8%
5 persons
7.7%
6+ persons
2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Forresters Beach

Housing Tenure

Of the 1,240 occupied private dwellings in Forresters Beach at the 2021 Census, 14.8% were rented, 35.5% owned outright and 36.3% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
12.8% 159 dwellings
Owned outright
35.5% 440 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
36.3% 450 dwellings
Rented
14.8% 183 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.2% 15 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
81.1%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
17.3%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
2.4%
2 bedrooms
21.5%
3 bedrooms
28.2%
4 bedrooms
33.3%
5 bedrooms
12.1%
6+ bedrooms
2.6%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
4.1%
$300-$449/mo
1.5%
$450-$599/mo
2.6%
$600-$799/mo
2.0%
$800-$999/mo
1.8%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
12.8%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
13.5%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
23.0%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
16.8%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
21.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
2.1%
1 vehicle
35.7%
2 vehicles
40.9%
3 vehicles
13.3%
4+ vehicles
8.0%

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

Work, income and education in Forresters Beach

Employment

Employed full-time
32.4% 786 people
Employed part-time
23.2% 562 people
Unemployed
2.1% 50 people
Not in labour force
42.3% 1,025 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
34.0%
Managers
16.7%
Technicians & Trade Workers
16.5%
Community & Personal Service
12.0%
Clerical & Administrative
11.8%
Sales Workers
4.1%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
2.6%
Labourers
2.3%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.8%
$1-$149/wk
1.1%
$150-$299/wk
1.1%
$300-$399/wk
2.2%
$400-$499/wk
5.1%
$500-$649/wk
4.2%
$650-$799/wk
6.8%
$800-$999/wk
8.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
6.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.7%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.0%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.2%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
10.8%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
8.4%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
8.5%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
4.4%
$4,000+/wk
13.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
8.3%
$1-$149/wk
4.2%
$150-$299/wk
5.0%
$300-$399/wk
3.9%
$400-$499/wk
4.1%
$500-$649/wk
3.4%
$650-$799/wk
10.8%
$800-$999/wk
10.5%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.4%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
8.0%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.8%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
10.4%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.1%
$3,500+/wk
4.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
70.7%
Did not go to work
21.4%
Car (passenger)
4.5%
Truck
1.2%
Walked only
1.1%
Other
0.5%
Bus
0.5%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
59.9%
Year 10 or equivalent
27.5%
Year 9 or equivalent
6.8%
Year 11 or equivalent
5.8%

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
35.1%
Bachelor Degree
28.6%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
20.3%
Postgraduate Degree
9.1%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.6%
Certificate I/II
2.2%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
21.4%
Health
15.0%
Engineering
13.0%
Society & Culture
12.6%
Education
11.9%
Architecture & Building
9.8%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
4.7%
Creative Arts
4.3%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.9%
Agriculture & Environment
2.5%
Information Technology
1.8%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
30.2%
Secondary: Government
17.5%
Pre-school
13.1%
Vocational Education
10.5%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
9.1%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
8.5%
Secondary: Catholic
5.6%
Primary: Catholic
5.5%

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
91.5%
Has need for assistance
4.4%
Need for assistance not stated
4.3%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
243
Arthritis
128
Asthma
113
Heart disease
94
Diabetes
71
Lung condition
69
Cancer
67
Kidney disease
43
Stroke
36
Dementia
9

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
13.4% 346
Did not provide
86.6% 2,239

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
15.7% 408
Not a volunteer
84.3% 2,183

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.2% 4
Previously served
2.9% 76
Never served
96.9% 2,519

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
24.7%
1 child
10.1%
2 children
36.2%
3 children
22.5%
4 children
5.5%
5+ children
1.1%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
17
1951: 1960
43
1961: 1970
82
1971: 1980
63
1981: 1990
65
1991: 2000
54
2001: 2010
91
2011: 2015
39
2016
3
2017
3
2018
10

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

Population Mobility

12.9%
moved in the last year
37.9%
moved in the last 5 years
3.3%
unemployment rate (Census)
57.8%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
2,779
Moved from NSW
313
Moved: same area (SA2)
68
Moved from overseas
10
Moved from QLD
10
Moved from WA
5
Moved from VIC
4

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
21.2%
5: 14 hours
30.8%
15: 29 hours
17.4%
30+ hours
11.4%
Did not do domestic work
19.2%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
84.3%
Step family: no other children
10.9%
Blended family: no other children
4.1%
Intact family: other children present
0.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Forresters Beach Crime Statistics

19 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
12
Property Damage
3
Other Against Person
2
Other Against Property
2

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Hamilton South
Income: $770/wk Rent: $162/wk $308/wk less rent
Darlington Point
Income: $736/wk Rent: $200/wk $270/wk less rent
Nana Glen
Income: $688/wk Rent: $350/wk $120/wk less rent
Primbee
Income: $669/wk Rent: $350/wk $120/wk less rent
Budgewoi
Income: $663/wk Rent: $350/wk $120/wk less rent
Buff Point
Income: $657/wk Rent: $380/wk $90/wk less rent
Cardiff Heights
Income: $808/wk Rent: $380/wk $90/wk less rent
East Gosford
Income: $759/wk Rent: $380/wk $90/wk less rent

Suburbs near Forresters Beach

The closest suburb to Forresters Beach is Bateau Bay, 2.6 km away.

Bateau Bay
2.6 km away · income $719/wk · rent $400/wk
Wamberal
2.8 km away · income $944/wk · rent $500/wk
Matcham
4.2 km away · income $953/wk · rent $550/wk
Shelly Beach (NSW)
4.5 km away · income $801/wk · rent $423/wk
Killarney Vale
4.8 km away · income $711/wk · rent $400/wk
Tumbi Umbi
5.0 km away · income $739/wk · rent $410/wk

Compare Forresters Beach

Frequently Asked Questions About Forresters Beach

What is the population of Forresters Beach NSW?

The population of Forresters Beach NSW is 3,354 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,212 people per km². Forresters Beach is ranked #2,200 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Forresters Beach?

The median personal income in Forresters Beach NSW is $819 per week, or $42,588 per year. The median household income is $1,758 per week. Family income is $2,206 per week. Forresters Beach is ranked #3,271 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Forresters Beach?

Median rent in Forresters Beach NSW is $470 per week ($2,037 per month). Rent represents 26.7% of household income, which is considered moderate. Forresters Beach ranks #852 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Forresters Beach?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Forresters Beach NSW is $2,171. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Forresters Beach?

The median age in Forresters Beach NSW is 44 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Forresters Beach a good suburb to live in?

Forresters Beach is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 3,354. The median income is $819/wk, which is above the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (26.7% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Sydney Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 11552. All dollar figures in AUD.