Forster (NSW)
NSWForster (NSW) is a stable suburb in NSW with 14,187 residents.
- SAL code
- 11553
- SA2
- 108011152
- Population
- 14,187
- LGA
- Mid-Coast
Forster (NSW), NSW had 14,187 residents at the 2021 Census, with the broader statistical area showing a 2.1% growth over the last five years. The predominant age group is 65-74 years, and the median age sits at 57. Households are most often couples with children, and those with a mortgage repay a median of $1,733 a month. Around 72.2% of homes are owner-occupied, with the largest single tenure being owned outright at 51.6%. Most dwellings are separate houses, making up 66.9% of the suburb's housing stock. The suburb has 21 parks and reserves mapped within its boundary. Source: ABS Census 2021 and Estimated Resident Population, with amenity counts from state Open Data and OpenStreetMap.
Population
?14,187
Suburb · Census 2021
5-Year Growth
+2.1%
3yr: +2.5% · 10yr: +4.1%
SA2 · 5yr
Household Income
$1,009/wk
Suburb · Census 2021 median
Median Age
57
Suburb · Census 2021
Socio-Economic Index
?3/10
SA2 · more disadvantaged
Unemployment
?4.4%
SA4 · Q4 2025
Schools
2
1 primary, 1 secondary
Hospitals
No data for this suburb
Childcare services
?9
7 long day, 2 OSHC
Parks & green space
?21
Parks, reserves
Transport stops
No data for this suburb
Dwelling approvals
?160
Mid-Coast · Feb 2026
Median Weekly Rent
Based on NSW rental bond lodgements, aggregated at postcode level. All SALs sharing this postcode show the same median.
Median House Sale Price
Source: state Valuer-General (suburb-level quarterly medians).
→ Calculate stamp duty on this suburb's median price→ Estimate mortgage repayments→ Calculate rental yield (price + median rent)
Population over time — Forster (SA2)
ABS publishes annual estimates only at SA2; Forster (NSW) suburb alone is ~14,187 (Census 2021).
Growth at a Glance
Population grew from 13,027 to 15,043 over 24 years, averaging 0.6% per year.
Schools
2 in suburbGovernment school catchment
Intake zonePrimary
Forster PS
Secondary
GLC Snr C100.0%
- GLC Forster 100.0%
Source: NSW Department of Education — School Intake Zones. Boundaries can be amended without notice; confirm with the school before relying on enrolment.
Profile
Census snapshot
Housing
Public housing 1.6%Predominantly detached houses (66.9%), owner-occupied (72%), built for families (45% are 3 bed).
Dwelling mix
Tenure
Number of bedrooms
Bushfire & flood risk
Hazard data is not yet available for NSW.
Source when available: NSW Rural Fire Service (BFPL) and NSW DPHI EPI Flood.
Planning zones
17 zones in suburb| Code | Zone | % covered | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | ZoneEnvironmental | 37.7% | 12.28 km² |
| R2 | ZoneResidential | 19.2% | 6.25 km² |
| C2 | ZoneEnvironmental | 11.1% | 3.60 km² |
| RU2 | ZoneRural | 8.5% | 2.75 km² |
| C3 | ZoneEnvironmental | 5.3% | 1.71 km² |
| RE1 | ZoneRecreation | 4.4% | 1.44 km² |
| R5 | ZoneResidential | 3.1% | 1.01 km² |
| W2 | ZoneWaterway | 2.9% | 0.93 km² |
| R3 | ZoneResidential | 2.3% | 0.76 km² |
| E3 | ZoneEnvironmental | 1.3% | 0.42 km² |
| SP2 | ZoneSpecial use | 1.1% | 0.36 km² |
| RE2 | ZoneRecreation | 1.0% | 0.31 km² |
| E2 | ZoneEnvironmental | 0.8% | 0.26 km² |
| R4 | ZoneResidential | 0.5% | 0.15 km² |
| E4 | ZoneEnvironmental | 0.2% | 0.06 km² |
| W4 | ZoneWaterway | 0.2% | 0.06 km² |
| SP3 | ZoneSpecial use | 0.1% | 0.04 km² |
Source: NSW DPHI EPI Land Zoning (ZONE_NSW/2026-04-29/1eccf1a530fa1be5) · As of Apr 2026. Zone boundaries are amended periodically; verify the exact property with the relevant council before relying on permitted use.