Foster, VIC: suburb profile

The population of Foster VIC is 2,044 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Foster is $566 per week ($29,432 per year). Median rent in Foster is $240 per week ($1,040 per month). Foster has a median age of 59 years, older than the national median of 38. Foster has a population density of 18 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Foster is England. The most common religion is No religion (47.5% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Italian. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Foster is $1,348.

There were 306 recorded offences in Foster in 2025-25, a rate of 150 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (162 offences).

Population
2,044
Census 2021
Median income
$566/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$240/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
59years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (crimestatistics.vic.gov.au), 2025-25.

Foster vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in Foster is $566 a week, 26% below the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 1,170th of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $240 a week, $76 less than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 24.6% of the median household income here, against 19.1% in the typical VIC suburb. The median resident is 59, 16 years older than in the typical VIC suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureFosterTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$566/wk$767/wk −26%$766/wk
Household income$975/wk$1,687/wk −42%$1,637/wk
Rent$240/wk$316/wk −24%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,348/mo$1,723/mo −22%$1,733/mo
Median age5943 +16 yrs42
Rent share of household income24.6%19.1% +5.5 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 Foster, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Foster Population

2,044 residents at the 2021 Census.

Foster Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$566/wk
$29,432 per year
Ranked 7,536 of 14,663
Median Rent
$240/wk
$1,040 per month
Ranked 6,627 of 14,663
Median Age
59years
21 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,348/mo
Avg household size: 2 · 0.7 per bedroom

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

Foster Rent Prices & Affordability

25% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $975/wk
Median rent $240/wk
Rent to income 24.6%

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

Median rent in Foster against your income

About $4,225 a month
Median rent $240/wk
Left after rent $735/wk
Rent share 24.6%

Foster Schools

2
schools nearby
2
government
996
avg ICSEA score
395
total students
Foster Secondary College Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 260 students
1006
ICSEA
Foster Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 135 students
985
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 Foster, with a map

Foster Map

Foster, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Foster, Victoria: 38.6758°S, 146.2087°E

Foster Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (2)

People in Foster

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 47.9% (979) Female 52.1% (1,066)

Population Density

18
people per km²
2,044 people · 114.1 km²

Households

2
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,434
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
4.3%
New Zealand
1.1%
Italy
0.8%
Philippines
0.7%
Scotland
0.7%
India
0.6%
Germany
0.5%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Italian
0.6%
Tagalog
0.4%
Spanish
0.4%
Punjabi
0.3%
Mandarin
0.2%
French
0.2%
German
0.2%

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

Ancestry

English
42.1%
Australian
38.5%
Irish
13.1%
Scottish
12.2%
Italian
3.2%
German
3.0%
Dutch
2.4%
Australian Aboriginal
1.0%
French
0.7%
Welsh
0.7%
Chinese
0.5%

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
47.5%
Anglican
14.1%
Catholic
13.3%
Not stated
11.6%
Uniting Church
5.2%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.9%
Christian (other)
1.5%
Other religions
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

1.1%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
47.6% 856
Separated
3.4% 62
Divorced
12.6% 226
Widowed
11.1% 200
Never married
25.3% 454

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
47.8%
Couple: children under 15
27.0%
Couple: no children under 15
13.0%
One parent: no children under 15
6.6%
One parent: children under 15
5.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
40.5%
2 persons
39.9%
3 persons
7.5%
4 persons
7.5%
5 persons
2.6%
6+ persons
2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Foster

Housing Tenure

Of the 889 occupied private dwellings in Foster at the 2021 Census, 19.8% were rented, 55.5% owned outright and 19.6% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
3.3% 29 dwellings
Owned outright
55.5% 493 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
19.6% 174 dwellings
Rented
19.8% 176 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
2.9% 26 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
96.3%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
3.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
5.2%
2 bedrooms
21.3%
3 bedrooms
50.2%
4 bedrooms
20.5%
5 bedrooms
2.4%
6+ bedrooms
0.5%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
12.1%
$300-$449/mo
3.8%
$450-$599/mo
6.4%
$600-$799/mo
5.7%
$800-$999/mo
10.8%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
17.2%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
21.0%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
13.4%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
3.8%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
5.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
5.4%
1 vehicle
42.7%
2 vehicles
32.5%
3 vehicles
11.6%
4+ vehicles
7.9%

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

Work, income and education in Foster

Employment

Employed full-time
21.9% 343 people
Employed part-time
20.3% 318 people
Unemployed
2.0% 32 people
Not in labour force
55.7% 870 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
26.6%
Managers
18.5%
Technicians & Trade Workers
13.1%
Community & Personal Service
12.5%
Clerical & Administrative
10.8%
Labourers
8.5%
Sales Workers
5.2%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
4.8%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.3%
$1-$149/wk
1.6%
$150-$299/wk
1.8%
$300-$399/wk
4.9%
$400-$499/wk
12.4%
$500-$649/wk
9.5%
$650-$799/wk
9.1%
$800-$999/wk
9.3%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
9.4%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.7%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.4%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.3%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
7.9%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
3.9%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
3.6%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
2.0%
$4,000+/wk
4.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
8.6%
$1-$149/wk
5.6%
$150-$299/wk
8.1%
$300-$399/wk
8.1%
$400-$499/wk
7.6%
$500-$649/wk
5.4%
$650-$799/wk
10.8%
$800-$999/wk
10.5%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.2%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.1%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
3.9%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
5.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.4%
$3,500+/wk
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
68.6%
Did not go to work
14.5%
Walked only
10.6%
Car (passenger)
4.2%
Bicycle
1.0%
Other
0.7%
Truck
0.5%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
49.1%
Year 10 or equivalent
20.5%
Year 11 or equivalent
19.9%
Year 9 or equivalent
10.5%

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
38.8%
Bachelor Degree
24.5%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
21.7%
Postgraduate Degree
7.9%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.9%
Certificate I/II
2.2%

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

Field of Study

Engineering
16.5%
Health
15.7%
Education
14.6%
Society & Culture
13.0%
Management & Commerce
11.9%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
7.9%
Agriculture & Environment
6.5%
Architecture & Building
5.2%
Creative Arts
4.2%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.7%
Information Technology
1.7%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
41.4%
Secondary: Government
30.5%
Vocational Education
13.3%
Pre-school
9.4%
Secondary: 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
82.8%
Has need for assistance
8.6%
Need for assistance not stated
8.8%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
207
Arthritis
146
Heart disease
110
Asthma
89
Diabetes
78
Lung condition
60
Cancer
52
Stroke
48
Kidney disease
36
Dementia
7

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
15.0% 244
Did not provide
85.0% 1,385

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
30.0% 490
Not a volunteer
70.0% 1,142

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Previously served
3.6% 58
Never served
96.4% 1,574

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
25.8%
1 child
7.6%
2 children
31.9%
3 children
22.6%
4 children
10.7%
5+ children
1.3%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
4
1951: 1960
34
1961: 1970
64
1971: 1980
34
1981: 1990
34
1991: 2000
13
2001: 2010
29
2011: 2015
10
2016
6
2017
4
2019
6
2020
7
2021
8

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

Population Mobility

13.4%
moved in the last year
41.0%
moved in the last 5 years
3.6%
unemployment rate (Census)
42.6%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
1,586
Moved from VIC
117
Moved: same area (SA2)
110
Moved from overseas
13
Moved from QLD
4

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
16.4%
5: 14 hours
28.9%
15: 29 hours
18.1%
30+ hours
12.3%
Did not do domestic work
24.3%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
90.1%
Step family: no other children
4.2%
Blended family: no other children
2.8%
Intact family: other children present
2.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Foster Crime Statistics

306 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Theft
162
Justice Procedures
68
Assault
36
Break & Enter
17
Property Damage
12
Fraud
6
Drug Offences
2
Public Order
2
Weapons
1

Total offences by year

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (crimestatistics.vic.gov.au).

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Compare Foster

Frequently Asked Questions About Foster

What is the population of Foster VIC?

The population of Foster VIC is 2,044 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 18 people per km². Foster is ranked #2,995 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Foster?

The median personal income in Foster VIC is $566 per week, or $29,432 per year. The median household income is $975 per week. Family income is $1,434 per week. Foster is ranked #7,536 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Foster?

Median rent in Foster VIC is $240 per week ($1,040 per month). Rent represents 24.6% of household income, which is considered affordable. Foster ranks #6,627 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Foster?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Foster VIC is $1,348. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Foster?

The median age in Foster VIC is 59 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Foster a good suburb to live in?

Foster is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 2,044. The median income is $566/wk, which is below the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (24.6% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Melbourne Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 20940. All dollar figures in AUD.