Wamberal - Forresters Beach

Population growth drivers in Wamberal - Forresters Beach are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of Nov 2025, Wamberal - Forresters Beach's population is approximately 10,867. This figure reflects an increase of 192 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,675. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 10,862 in June 2024 and five new addresses validated since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 792 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, the area has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%, outperforming its SA3 region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 62.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of statistical areas analysed is expected. By 2041, the area's population is projected to expand by approximately 934 persons, reflecting an overall increase of around 8.6% over 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Wamberal - Forresters Beach according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Wamberal - Forresters Beach has seen approximately 25 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 127 homes. As of FY-26, 12 approvals have been recorded. On average, each dwelling has added around 2.6 new residents per year over these five years. New homes are constructed at an average cost of $433,000, slightly above the regional average.

In FY-26, $4.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating limited commercial development focus compared to residential growth. Compared to Greater Sydney, Wamberal - Forresters Beach has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 27th percentile nationally, suggesting somewhat limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established dwellings. Recent construction comprises 67.0% detached dwellings and 33.0% townhouses or apartments, showing a shift from the current housing mix of 85.0% houses. The area has an estimated population density of 596 people per dwelling approval. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Wamberal - Forresters Beach is expected to grow by 929 residents through to 2041, with building activity keeping pace with these growth projections.

Looking ahead, Wamberal - Forresters Beach is expected to grow by 929 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may experience heightened competition as the population grows.

Wamberal - Forresters Beach has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 46thth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly influenced by changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 30 such projects that could impact the area. Notable ones include Central Coast Highway Upgrade - Wamberal to Bateau Bay, Wamberal Beach Coastal Protection Works, Central Coast Highway Upgrade - Wamberal to Bateau Bay, and Terrigal Public School Upgrade. The following list details those considered most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

The exceptional employment performance in Wamberal - Forresters Beach places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Wamberal - Forresters Beach has a well-educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 1.4% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 3.0% over the past year.

There are 5,838 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.8%, which is below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation is at 62.4%, slightly higher than Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Major employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. The area has a strong specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, finance & insurance employs only 3.7% of local workers, lower than Greater Sydney's 7.3%. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 3.0%, while the labour force grew by 3.4%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney saw employment grow by 2.1% and the labour force by 2.4%, with unemployment rising by 0.2 percentage points. As of 25-November-25, NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with a state unemployment rate of 3.9%, lower than the national unemployment rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wamberal - Forresters Beach's employment mix indicates potential local employment increases of 7.0% over five years and 14.4% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 indicates that income in Wamberal - Forresters Beach SA2 is extremely high nationally. The median income is assessed at $54,604 and the average income stands at $82,407. This contrasts with Greater Sydney's figures of a median income of $56,994 and an average income of $80,856. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $61,490 (median) and $92,799 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Wamberal - Forresters Beach cluster around the 71st percentile nationally. The earnings profile shows that 28.3% of locals (3,075 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, reflecting patterns seen in the metropolitan region where 30.9% similarly occupy this range. A significant 35.2% earn above $3,000 weekly. High housing costs consume 15.1% of income, but strong earnings still place disposable income at the 78th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Wamberal - Forresters Beach is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Wamberal - Forresters Beach dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 84.9% houses and 15.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Sydney metro's 74.2% houses and 25.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wamberal - Forresters Beach was 39.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 43.7% and rented ones at 17.2%. Median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,434, above Sydney metro's average of $2,150. Median weekly rent in the area was $500, compared to Sydney metro's $400. Nationally, Wamberal - Forresters Beach's median monthly mortgage repayment is higher than Australia's average of $1,863, and rents are substantially above the national figure of $375.

Wamberal - Forresters Beach features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 78.9% of all households, including 39.1% couples with children, 29.7% couples without children, and 9.6% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 21.1%, comprising 18.7% lone person households and 2.4% group households. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.

The educational profile of Wamberal - Forresters Beach exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's educational profile exceeds the regional average with university qualification rates at 29.8%, compared to the SA4 region average of 20.8%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 20.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.0%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational credentials are held by 37.5% of residents aged 15+, including advanced diplomas (12.9%) and certificates (24.6%).

Educational participation is high with 31.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 10.8% in primary, 9.3% in secondary, and 4.7% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Wamberal - Forresters Beach has 104 active public transport stops. These are served by buses on 118 different routes, offering a total of 1,420 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically living 160 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 202 trips per day across all routes, which equates to about 13 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Wamberal - Forresters Beach is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Wamberal-Forresters Beach shows superior health outcomes for both young and elderly residents, with low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 61% of its total population of 6,607 have private health cover, higher than Greater Sydney's 54.7% and the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (8.0%) and asthma (7.3%), with 71.2% reporting no medical ailments, compared to 64.8% in Greater Sydney.

The area has 22.5% residents aged 65 and over (2,441 people), lower than Greater Sydney's 24.5%. Seniors' health outcomes are above average, mirroring the general population's profile.

Wamberal - Forresters Beach ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Wamberal-Forresters Beach had low cultural diversity, with 84.4% born in Australia, 92.5% being citizens, and 94.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 53.9%, similar to Greater Sydney's 53.4%. Top ancestral groups were English (31.8%), Australian (29.4%), and Irish (9.9%).

Notably, Welsh (0.9%) and South African (0.6%) groups had higher representation than regional averages of 0.7% and 0.5%, respectively. Maltese representation was equal to the regional average at 0.7%.

Wamberal - Forresters Beach's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Wamberal - Forresters Beach is 42 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and Australia's median age of 38 years. The 65-74 age group comprises 11.3% of the population, compared to Greater Sydney, while the 25-34 cohort makes up 7.3%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 6.5% to 7.9%, and the 85+ cohort has increased from 2.0% to 3.3%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort has declined from 8.8% to 7.3%, and the 45 to 54 group has dropped from 14.1% to 13.1%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Wamberal - Forresters Beach. The 85+ age group is projected to grow by 135%, reaching 854 people from 362, leading the demographic shift. Notably, combined 65+ age groups will account for 78% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 25 to 34 and 5 to 14 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.