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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Forestville (NSW) is $2.56m, with units at $1.60m. House values have moved 2.2% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Forestville (NSW) has an estimated 8,797 residents, up from 8,659 at the 2021 Census — a change of 138 people, or 1.6%. That puts 1,904 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Forestville (NSW) has an estimated resident count of around 8,797, determined via AreaSearch evaluation of broader ABS demographic releases alongside address validations post-Census. Comparing this against the 2021 Census tally of 8,659 people shows an expansion of 138 people (1.6%). AreaSearch calculated this shift by reviewing the ABS June 2025 ERP figures, which pegged the local population at 8,756, and incorporating 24 validated new addresses recorded following the Census date. These figures establish a local density of 1,904 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical benchmark across locations nationwide assessed by AreaSearch.
Furthermore, the 1.6% expansion observed since the census trails the broader SA3 area (3.7%) by 2.1 percentage points, pointing to resilient baseline growth that was overwhelmingly supported by overseas migration as the primary source of demographic expansion during recent periods. Projections for the suburb of Forestville (NSW) draw upon 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia datasets using 2022 as the base year at the SA2 level, supplemented by 2022 NSW State Government SA2 releases based on 2021 where coverage is lacking, with age-specific growth profiles projected across all districts from 2032 to 2041. Future demographic trajectories place the area in the lower quartile of national statistical regions, with aggregated SA2-level modelling anticipating a gain of 338 persons to 2041, representing a cumulative rise of 3.4% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
46 new dwellings have been approved in Forestville (NSW) over the past five years, an average of 9 a year. That is 1.5 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 20, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis of ABS residential approval statistics by AreaSearch shows that Forestville records approximately 9 dwellings approved for construction each year, totaling an estimated 46 homes over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), with 20 sanctioned to date in FY-25. Solid underlying demand is highlighted by an intake of 2.3 new residents annually per built dwelling across the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), while residential construction projects average an expected building cost of $709,000, signaling a clear developer orientation toward upmarket properties. In addition, non-residential building approvals stand at $90,000 this financial year, underscoring an overwhelming concentration on housing.
Per capita building activity in Forestville sits at roughly 59% of the Greater Sydney rate, ranking the suburb in the 28th percentile nationally; this modest pace restricts newcomer options and underpins demand for existing homes, even with recent upticks in construction. Such below-average volumes highlight the established nature of the suburb alongside probable local zoning and planning constraints. In terms of composition, freestanding houses account for 77.0% of new residential builds, while medium and high-density housing makes up 23.0%, preserving the traditional low-density character favoured by family purchasers. The locality records approximately 513 people per dwelling approval, indicative of a mature housing market. Forecasts indicate that Forestville will add 297 residents through to 2041 relative to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. With current building trajectories in place, upcoming residential additions appear well positioned to satisfy demand, creating favourable purchasing conditions and potentially accommodating population growth above baseline projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Forestville (NSW)
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 6 current infrastructure and development projects inside Forestville (NSW), worth an estimated $194 million. A further 39 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $4.33 billion. 8 are already under construction and 11 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
AreaSearch has highlighted 19 significant infrastructure and planning initiatives influencing Forestville's future outlook. Among the most notable undertakings are the Forestway Shopping Centre Redevelopment, the Forestville Rsl Club Redevelopment, the Angel Place Seniors Living project, and the Forest High School Science and Technology Centre.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Forestway Shopping Centre Redevelopment
A $34 million modernization of the 1966-era Forestway Shopping Centre. Following the completion of Stage 1 internal upgrades and new amenities, the project has progressed to Stage 2. This phase features the demolition of the multi-storey car park to be replaced by at-grade and two-level basement parking (585 spaces), new entry statements, and major facade upgrades. The expansion adds approximately 5,000sqm of retail space, including a new Harris Farm supermarket, a swim school, and an expanded Soul Athletic Club.Recent early 2026 modifications refined operating hours to 7am-10pm and addressed waste collection logistics to support the intensified use.
Belrose Village Green
Belrose Village Green is a new neighbourhood retail centre on Forest Way. The development will deliver a full line supermarket (Coles), specialty shops, medical and allied health services, food and beverage outlets, and a childcare facility. The project features a modern village style design aimed at serving the surrounding Northern Beaches community with upgraded pedestrian access and high-quality amenities.
Angel Place Seniors Living
Angel Place Seniors Living is an over 55s retirement village in Forestville on Sydneys Northern Beaches, developed and operated by Keyton (formerly Lendlease Retirement Living). The village offers independent living units and serviced apartments with shared community facilities and support services for residents.
Forestville Rsl Club Redevelopment
The redevelopment includes a new club, basement parking, and 39 independent living units on a 9014sqm site.
Northern Beaches Hospital
A $2 billion public-private partnership hospital project providing 488 beds, 14 operating theatres, and 50 emergency department spaces, offering acute and complex care, maternity, and mental health services. Completed in 2018, the NSW Government has announced the facility will return to full public ownership by mid-2026. A new High Volume Planned Surgery Centre is also set to open at the site by July 2026 to perform 5,000 additional surgeries annually.
Forest High School Science and Technology Centre
Modern educational facility featuring state-of-the-art science laboratories, technology workshops, and collaborative learning spaces for secondary students.
Forestville Reserve Community Centre
Multi-purpose community facility providing meeting spaces, recreational programs, and local services for Forestville residents and surrounding areas.
Melwood Gardens
Boutique development of 24 luxury three and four bedroom townhouses in the heart of Forestville on Sydneys Northern Beaches, completed in 2023 by builder developer Pimas Gale.
4,495 residents of Forestville (NSW) are employed, from a labour force of 4,629. Unemployment sits at 2.9%, with participation at 64.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.2% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 7,216, about 82% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Locals in Forestville display high educational attainment, with prominent representation across professional services, an unemployment rate standing at 2.9%, and an estimated annual job growth rate of 0.8% according to AreaSearch statistical aggregations. By March 2026, 4,495 residents are employed, and local unemployment sits 1.2% lower than the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%, while overall labour participation is lower at 64.7% compared to Greater Sydney's 68.9%. Census data highlighted that 54.3% of workers carried out their duties from home, though this figure was influenced by Covid-19 restrictions. The primary employment sectors for residents comprise professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training.
Professional & technical services represent a notable local specialization, commanding a workforce share 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, transport, postal & warehousing constitutes an under-represented field, employing only 2.7% of the local workforce relative to 5.3% in Greater Sydney. Comparing the Census resident workforce against local day-time jobs indicates that the neighbourhood functions predominantly as a residential base with few commercial employment hubs within its borders. AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM data across wider statistical zones indicate that in the year to March 2026, local employment grew by 0.8% alongside a 1.5% increase in the labour force, causing local unemployment to tick up by 0.7 percentage points. Over the same interval, Greater Sydney experienced a 1.9% rise in employment, a 1.9% expansion of its labour force, and a slight reduction in unemployment. National outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context on future labour demand when mapped against Forestville's industry profile. Across Australia, workforce numbers are projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though industry variations mean Forestville's specific employment distribution corresponds to modeled local gains of 7.2% over five years and 14.4% over ten years (a weighted structural extrapolation that excludes local demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Forestville (NSW) is $2,507 a week (about $130,000 a year), with median personal income at $936 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $58,481 a year against an average of $98,558. The average runs 69% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO postcode statistics for financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch indicate that taxpayers in Forestville generated a median income of $58,481 and an average income of $98,558, placing the suburb in the top percentile nationally against Greater Sydney benchmarks of $60,817 and $83,003. Accounting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since financial year 2023, local levels are estimated at roughly $64,516 (median) and $108,729 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census reported median weekly household earnings of $2,507, sitting at the 90th percentile nationally. Income brackets show 32.1% of residents (2,823 people) positioned in the $4000+ weekly tier, differing from Greater Sydney where the primary segment (30.9%) earns between $1,500 - 2,999.
In total, 43.4% of households receive more than $3,000 per week. While accommodation expenses account for 16.8% of income, net disposable resources rank in the 89th percentile, aligning with an overall SEIFA income score in the 9th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Forestville (NSW) had 2,898 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 80% detached houses and 7% apartments. 38% are owned with a mortgage, 21% rented and 41% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $650 a week and the median mortgage repayment $3,250 a month, a total housing cost higher than 94% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 25.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 29.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The local housing stock recorded at the recent Census consisted of 80.4% separate houses and 19.6% attached, apartment, or other dwelling types, differing noticeably from Sydney metro where detached houses represented 55.9% and alternative dwellings 44.1%. Outright home ownership stood high at 41.2%, well above metropolitan rates, with the remaining properties occupied under mortgages (38.3%) or rental agreements (20.5%). Median monthly mortgage costs in Forestville were $3,250 compared to the Sydney metro median of $2,427 and national figure of $1,863, while weekly rents averaged $650 locally against $470 across Sydney metro and $375 across Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Forestville (NSW) counted 2,898 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.9 people each. 46% are couples with children, more than in 91% of areas nationally, against 21% couples without children. 21% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute 78.1% of all local households, divided into couples with children (46.2%), couples without children (21.4%), and single parent arrangements (9.6%). Non-family households comprise the remaining 21.9%, driven by single-person residences at 21.0% and group households at 1.1%. The area records an average household size of 2.9 people, exceeding the Greater Sydney benchmark of 2.7.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
43.2% of adults in Forestville (NSW) hold a university qualification, including 28.6% with a bachelor degree and 11.0% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 98% of areas nationally. A further 14.6% hold a vocational qualification. 5 schools serve the area, with 941 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,136 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational attainment levels among Forestville residents aged 15+ exceed broad benchmarks, with 43.2% holding tertiary qualifications compared to 32.2% in NSW and 30.4% in Australia. Qualifications are led by bachelor degrees at 28.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees (11.0%) and graduate diplomas (3.6%). Vocational training is also well represented, with 25.8% of residents aged 15+ holding technical qualifications, split between certificates (14.6%) and advanced diplomas (11.2%). A substantial proportion of the local population is engaged in study, with 33.4% of residents attending an educational institution. This breaks down into 11.7% in primary schooling, 11.1% in secondary education, and 5.6% enrolled in tertiary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Forestville (NSW) reaches 41 stops on 51 routes, timetabled for about 3,000 services a week. The typical home sits about 300 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Forestville's public transport network comprises 41 bus stops across 51 separate routes, generating 3,003 weekly passenger trips. Commuter accessibility is strong, with an average distance of 298 meters to the closest stop. Given the suburban residential character, outward commuting is standard; private vehicles account for 85% of commuter trips, while buses carry 7%. Households maintain an average of 1.4 vehicles, higher than regional figures, while 54.3% of workers reported working from home in the 2021 Census during COVID-19 conditions. Transit services provide an average of 429 trips per day across the network, translating to roughly 73 weekly trips for each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
73.2% of residents in Forestville (NSW) report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 78% of areas nationally. 4.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 65.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments by AreaSearch based on mortality and chronic condition data reveal strong overall community wellbeing in Forestville across both younger and older cohorts, accompanied by high private health insurance coverage of approximately 66% (5,786 people). This exceeds the Greater Sydney average of 59.9% as well as the national rate of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma represent the most frequently reported health conditions, affecting 7.1% and 6.2% of residents respectively, while 73.2% of the local population indicated having no long-term medical ailments, close to the Greater Sydney proportion of 74.6%. Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 19.5% of the local community (1,715 people), outpacing Greater Sydney's 15.5%, with older residents maintaining health rankings on par with national population standards.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
33.2% of Forestville (NSW) residents were born overseas and 25.4% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (25.4%) and Australian (21.8%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Forestville demonstrates elevated cultural diversity relative to many local markets, with overseas-born individuals making up 33.2% of the population and 25.4% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity represents the primary faith at 54.1% of residents. Judaism accounts for 0.8% of the community, mirroring the 0.8% share recorded across Greater Sydney. Regarding parental country of birth, the primary ancestries in Forestville are English at 25.4% (exceeding the regional share of 19.0%), Australian at 21.8%, and Other at 13.6%. Other backgrounds also show above-average local presence, including French at 1.9% (versus 0.5% across the region), Croatian at 1.0% (versus 0.7%), and Serbian at 0.6% (versus 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Forestville (NSW) is 43. 22.8% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The demographic structure of the suburb of Forestville (NSW) combines a sizeable youth cohort with mature parents. August 2026 updates show that 27.8% of residents fall into the 45 - 64 age bracket (compared to 22.6% in Greater Sydney), while the 25 - 44 cohort accounts for 18.3% locally against 31.4% regionally. The median age is an estimated 43, consistent with the 2021 Census and above the 2021 Census medians of 37 for Greater Sydney and 38 for Australia. Since the Census, the proportion of residents aged 0 - 24 expanded from 33.1% to an estimated 34.5%.
Looking ahead to 2041, the 65+ age group is projected to record the largest increase, rising by 505 residents (29%) to 2,220, whereas younger residents and the 45 - 64 bracket are forecast to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Forestville (NSW)
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Dec 2025 10 months ago all 6 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Dec 2025. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 24 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (8,659 at the 2021 Census → 8,797 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL11551). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.