Forster (NSW)

An assessment of population growth drivers in Forster reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Forster (NSW) is around 14,522. This reflects an increase of 335 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,187. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 14,518 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 573 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 446 persons per square kilometer. Forster's 2.4% growth since census positions it within 0.5 percentage points of the SA3 area (2.9%). Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration, contributing approximately 69.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as 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 aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb of Forster (NSW) is expected to expand by 1,621 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 11.1% in total over the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Forster among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Forster averaged approximately 116 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 583 homes. As of FY-26, 36 approvals have been recorded. Between FY-21 and FY-25, an average of 0.2 people moved to the area for each dwelling built. New construction has matched or outpaced demand, offering buyers more options while enabling population growth.

The average construction value is $781,000, suggesting developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. This financial year, Forster has seen $21.4 million in commercial approvals, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the rest of NSW, Forster shows moderately higher new home approvals, 35.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years.

This preserves reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. New building activity comprises 60.0% detached houses and 40.0% townhouses or apartments, providing options across different price points from family homes to more affordable compact living. The location has approximately 86 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. Population forecasts suggest Forster will gain 1,617 residents by 2041 (latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Forster has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified ten projects that may influence this region. Notable ones include the Lower Mid North Coast Health Service Project in Forster-Tuncurry, involving a new health facility and ambulance stations in Forster and Old Bar. Additionally, the Forster Gateway Development along The Lakes Way is underway, while plans for Forster Main Beach are being finalized.

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.

Forster shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Forster maintains a balanced workforce across white and blue-collar jobs, with essential services sectors well-represented. The unemployment rate stands at 4.4%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, Forster has 5,540 residents employed, an unemployment rate of 4.9% (0.5% above Regional NSW's rate), and workforce participation at 45.3%.

According to Census responses, only 11.2% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food services. Forster shows strong specialization in health care & social assistance (1.3 times the regional level), but agriculture, forestry & fishing has lower representation at 1.6%. Labour force levels decreased by 1.1% over the year to December 2025, with employment declining by 1.7%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 0.6 percentage points.

Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Forster's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not consider localised population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

Forster's median taxpayer income in financial year 2023 was $42,027. The average level stood at $55,548. Both figures were below the national averages of $52,390 and $65,215 for Regional NSW respectively. By March 2026, estimates based on a 10.32% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023 would be approximately $46,364 (median) and $61,281 (average). According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Forster fell between the 3rd and 9th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. The predominant income cohort in Forster was 30.7% of locals (4,458 people) earning $400 - $799 per week, differing from Regional NSW where the $1,500 - $2,999 category dominated at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures were severe in Forster, with only 82.5% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 4th percentile nationally.

Forster displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Forster's residential structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 64.8% houses and 35.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Forster's home ownership rate was 51.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 20.8% and rented dwellings at 27.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Forster was $1,733, aligning with Regional NSW's average, while the median weekly rent was $340, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Forster's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Forster features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 61.9% of all households, including 15.8% couples with children, 34.7% couples without children, and 10.5% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 38.1%, with lone person households at 35.1% and group households making up 3.1%. The median household size is 2.1 people, smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Forster fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 16.8%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 42.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 10.8% and certificates at 31.4%. A total of 23.2% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 8.8% in primary, 7.2% in secondary, and 1.6% in tertiary education.

A substantial 23.2% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 8.8% in primary education, 7.2% in secondary education, and 1.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Forster has 230 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 35 different routes that together facilitate 595 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is considered excellent, with residents typically living just 119 meters away from the nearest stop. Forster is predominantly residential, and most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transport, used by 92% of residents, while 5% walk. On average, there are 1.1 vehicles per dwelling, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 11.2% of Forster's residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 85 trips per day across all routes, translating to roughly two weekly trips per individual stop. A map accompanies this data and highlights the 100 nearest stops to the location's centerpoint.

Health performance in Forster is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Forster's health data indicates significant obstacles based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both younger and older age groups have notable health condition prevalence. Approximately 49% (~7,108 people) of Forster's population has private health cover, lower than Regional NSW's 51.9% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent conditions are arthritis (13.8%) and mental health issues (9.4%), while 55.4% report no medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Forster's working-age population faces substantial health challenges with higher chronic condition rates. As of the assessment date (2020), 39.9% of residents are aged 65 and over (5,794 people), higher than Regional NSW's 23.4%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, aligning broadly with national rankings for the general population.

Forster is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Forster's population showed low cultural diversity, with 87.7% born in Australia, 90.9% being citizens, and 96.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 60.3%, compared to 55.9% regionally. The top three ancestry groups were English (34.1%), Australian (30.7%), and Irish (9.0%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 4.5% in Forster than the regional average of 4.6%. Maltese and French populations were also slightly overrepresented at 0.5% each, compared to regional averages of 0.4%.

Forster ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Forster is 57 years, which is significantly higher than Regional NSW's average of 43 years, and substantially exceeds the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Regional NSW, Forster has a higher concentration of residents aged 75-84 (15.1%), but fewer residents aged 25-34 (7.2%). This concentration of 75-84 year-olds is well above the national average of 6.1%. According to post-2021 Census data, the proportion of Forster's population aged 75 to 84 has grown from 13.3% to 15.1%, while the proportion of those aged 55 to 64 has declined from 14.3% to 13.1%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Forster's age structure. The number of residents aged 85 and above is projected to increase markedly, expanding by 503 people (62%) from 813 to 1,317. Conversely, both the 15-24 and 55-64 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.