Median priceⓘLast 12 months
607kk
↑ +50.0% YoY
Forster, NSW 2428
Property data updated ·14,187 residents
Last 12 months snapshot
449 sales · 379 leases · Refreshed July 2026
Forster property market
No single market dominates in Forster — unit rentals are only just in front, with 261 sales (up 4.8%) at around $911.5k (up 3.6%) as of July 2026, taking about 50 days to sell (down from 55 days last year), with 3-bedroom making up around 4 in 10.
Unit rentals are close behind, with 203 leases (down 12.9%) at $485 a week (up 11.5%), renting out in about 22 days (up from 21 days last year), with rents growing faster than most unit rental markets in NSW, with 2-bedroom homes making up around 60%. Followed by 188 unit sales at around $646k (up 7.7%). 176 house rentals at $665 a week (up 1.5%), with rents weaker than most house rental markets.
Low-incomeRetirement communityMostly owners
Who lives hereA low-income, mostly owner-occupied, retirement-age suburb.
House covers houses, duplexes, semi-detached and terraces; Unit covers apartments, units, townhouses and villas.
Census · ABS 2021
Forster demographics & population
Population
14,187
Median age
57yrs
Avg household
2.1people
Male · Female
47% · 53%
Owner-occupied
50%
Renting
50%
Lone person
50%
Couples, no kids
50%
Born overseas
50%
Year 12+ⓘ
50%
Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing and Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) 2021 · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.
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Census · ABS 2021
Who lives in Forster?
The age structure, household make-up, and cultural fabric of the people who call this suburb home.
Age & sex7,546 residentsMaleFemale
Share of all residents by 5-year band · hover a band for the count + split
Life stage
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
Children0–1450%Youth15–2450%Young adults25–3450%Midlife35–5450%Mature55–6450%Seniors65+50%
Household composition
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
Lone person50%Couples, no kids50%Families with kids50%Other families50%Group / share50%
1.7 people / household0.5 persons / bedroom50% are 5+ person
Household sizepersons per dwelling
50%1
50%2
50%3
50%4
50%5
50%6+
Cultural make-upshare of residents · diversity = odds two differ
Born overseasⓘResidents born outside Australia, as a share of those who stated a birthplace.50%
Other language at homeⓘResidents who mainly speak a language other than English at home — counts the language used, not how well English is spoken.50%
Limited EnglishⓘResidents who speak English “not well” or “not at all”. A language-barrier measure, not bilingualism — many who speak another language at home still speak English well.50%
Both parents overseasⓘResidents whose mother and father were both born overseas — the Australian-born-to-migrants “second generation”, distinct from being born overseas yourself.50%
Australian citizensⓘResidents who are Australian citizens — both Australian-born and people who have since naturalised.50%
Birthplace diversity15%
Chance two random residents were born in different countries
Language diversity5%
Chance two random residents speak different languages at home
Religious diversity29%
Chance two random residents follow different religions
Where residents were borntop birthplaces
Afghanistan50%
Australia50%
Bangladesh50%
Bosnia & Herzegovina50%
Brazil50%
Cambodia50%
Canada50%
Chile50%
Languages at hometop languages
English only50%
Afrikaans50%
Arabic50%
Australian Indigenous50%
Cantonese50%
Mandarin50%
Other Chinese50%
Croatian50%
Ancestry% reporting · multi-response
Australian50%
Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander50%
Chinese50%
Croatian50%
Dutch50%
English50%
Faith & belieftap Christianity
No religion50%
▸Christianity50%
Islam50%
Buddhism50%
Hinduism50%
Judaism50%
Other religions50%
Family originsparents’ birthplace
50%
50%
50%
Both parents overseas50%One parent overseas50%Both parents in Australia50%
A strongly multicultural community with deep migrant heritage.
When migrants arrivedshare of overseas-born
Before 198150%
1981-200050%
2001-201050%
2011-201550%
2016-202150%
2020–21 understated — COVID border closures.
Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.
Census · ABS 2021
Housing & affordability in Forster
What it costs to live here, who owns versus rents, and the shape of the housing stock.
Affordability at a glance
LowMedianHighPercentile
Median weekly rentⓘMiddle weekly rent paid by renting households.Bottom 39%Median weekly rent · $265/wk — below average: in the bottom 39%, lower rent than 61% of Aussie suburbs.
Median monthly mortgageⓘMiddle monthly mortgage repayment among households with a mortgage.Bottom 41%Median monthly mortgage · $1,075/mo — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Rent stress (rent ÷ income)ⓘMedian weekly rent as a share of median weekly household income — a rough rental-affordability gauge. Higher = rent takes a bigger bite.Top 50%Rent stress · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Mortgage stress (repay ÷ income)ⓘMedian mortgage repayment (converted to weekly) as a share of median weekly household income. Higher = repayments take a bigger bite.Top 50%Mortgage stress · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
High mortgage (≥$3k/mo)ⓘMortgaged households repaying $3,000 or more per month.Top 50%High mortgage · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Social housingⓘHouseholds renting from a state housing authority or community housing provider.Top 50%Social housing · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Unoccupied on census nightⓘDwellings recorded as unoccupied on Census night — holiday homes, between-tenant rentals, etc.Top 50%Unoccupied on census night · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Large dwellings (4+ bed)ⓘOccupied dwellings with 4 or more bedrooms.Top 50%Large dwellings · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
This suburb Typical range (middle 50%) Median suburb
Bedrooms per dwellingshare of dwellings
50%0
50%1
50%2
50%3
50%4
50%5
50%6+
Who owns vs rentsoccupied dwellings
50%
50%
50%
50%
Owned outright50%Mortgage50%Renting50%Other50%
What’s built heredwelling types
50%
50%
50%
50%
House50%Townhouse50%Apartment50%Other50%
50% separate houses50% apartments50% high-rise
Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.
Census · ABS 2021
Income & employment in Forster
Incomes, employment, and the occupation mix of the people who live here.
Income & work at a glance
LowMedianHighPercentile
Median personal incomeⓘMiddle weekly income of individuals aged 15+.Bottom 9%Median personal income · $353/wk — among the lowest: in the bottom 9%, lower personal income than 91% of Aussie suburbs.
Median family incomeⓘMiddle weekly income of families.Bottom 10%Median family income · $748/wk — well below average: in the bottom 10%, lower family income than 90% of Aussie suburbs.
Managers & professionalsⓘEmployed residents who work as managers or professionals.Top 50%Managers & professionals · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
High earners (≥$2k/wk)ⓘResidents earning $2,000 or more per week.Top 50%High earners · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
This suburb Typical range (middle 50%) Median suburb
Occupations
LowMedianHighPercentile
Managers & professionalsⓘEmployed residents who work as managers or professionals.Top 50%Managers & professionals · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Clerical & adminⓘEmployed residents in clerical and administrative jobs.Top 50%Clerical & admin · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Community & personal serviceⓘEmployed residents in community and personal-service jobs — care, hospitality, security and similar.Top 50%Community & personal service · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Sales workersⓘEmployed residents in sales jobs.Top 50%Sales workers · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Technicians, trades & labourersⓘEmployed residents in technical/trade, machinery-operating and labouring jobs.Top 50%Technicians, trades & labourers · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Household incomeheight = share of households · weekly
Personal incomeheight = share of residents 15+ · weekly
A typical household pulls in about 2.5× the typical individual — a multi-earner area.
Labour forceemployment status · residents 15+
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
Employed full-time50%Employed part-time50%Employed (away/other)50%Unemployed50%Not in labour force50%
LowMedianHighPercentile
Full-time workersⓘResidents in the labour force who are employed full-time.Top 50%Full-time workers · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Part-time workersⓘEmployed residents working part-time, of all employed.Top 50%Part-time workers · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Unemployment rateⓘShare of the labour force (people working or actively looking) who are unemployed — not a share of all residents.Top 50%Unemployment rate · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Not in labour forceⓘResidents 15+ neither working nor looking for work — retirees, students, carers.Top 50%Not in labour force · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Labour-force participationⓘResidents 15+ who are in the labour force — working or looking for work.Top 50%Labour-force participation · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
This suburb Typical range (middle 50%) Median suburb
Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.
Census · ABS 2021
Getting around Forster
How people get to work, and how car-dependent the suburb is — the clearest tell of inner-urban versus outer-suburban living.
Transport at a glance
LowMedianHighPercentile
Public transport to workⓘCommuters who travelled to work by train, bus, ferry or tram, of those who travelled.Top 50%Public transport to work · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Walked or cycled to workⓘCommuters who walked or cycled to work, of those who travelled.Top 50%Walked or cycled to work · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Worked from homeⓘEmployed residents who worked from home in the Census week — elevated by COVID in 2021.Top 50%Worked from home · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
No motor vehicleⓘHouseholds with no motor vehicle.Top 50%No motor vehicle · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Vehicles per dwellingⓘAverage number of motor vehicles per household.Bottom 12%Vehicles per dwelling · 1.00 — well below average: in the bottom 12%, fewer vehicles per home than 88% of Aussie suburbs.
This suburb Typical range (middle 50%) Median suburb
Journey to workamong commuters · top modes
Car (driver)50%
Car (passenger)50%
Train50%
Bus50%
Tram/light rail50%
Ferry50%
Walked50%
Vehicles per dwellingshare of households
50%0
50%1
50%2
50%3
50%4+
Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.
Education · ACARA My School 2025
Schools in and around Forster
3 schools inside Forster, plus the closest options around it. Families can choose from 2 primary schools in Forster and its surrounds, and 1 high school covering the secondary years. Distances are straight-line from the suburb centre and are not enrolment catchments — always confirm zones with the school.
Within Forster3schools in the suburb itself
Primary schools2within 5 km · nearest in suburb
Secondary schools1within 5 km · nearest in suburb
Median ICSEA rank50thenrolment-weighted
What is ICSEA Rank?
ICSEA is ACARA’s official measure of a school’s socio-educational advantage — based mainly on parents’ education and occupation, plus the school’s location and student mix.
Nearby within3 schools
- Within Forster · 3Order by
- 1Great Lakes College Forster CampusGovernment · Secondary · Co-ed · Years 7-10 · Within suburbState Rank—English—Maths—Students246Multilingual50%ICSEA Rank50th
- 2Forster Public SchoolGovernment · Primary · Co-ed · Years K-6 · Within suburbState Rank—English—Maths—Students246Multilingual50%ICSEA Rank50th
- 3Holy Name Primary SchoolCatholic · Primary · Co-ed · Years K-6 · Within suburbState Rank—English—Maths—Students246Multilingual50%ICSEA Rank50th
GovernmentCatholic
Why are some State Rank and star ratings blank? Schools can choose not to publish their results. In practice, schools that score well above their state average almost always publish theirs — so a blank rating more often reflects a school opting out than a top result being hidden. Academic results also tend to rise with ICSEA Rank, so higher-ICSEA schools more often carry a strong State Rank as well.
School profile and ICSEA data sourced from ACARA — © Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (data year 2025) · State Rank & star columns are Micromarkets-compiled academic ratings from publicly available school results · Distances are straight-line from the suburb centre, not catchments.
Census · ABS 2021
Turnover
How settled or transient the community is — and where newcomers came from.
Settledness at a glance
LowMedianHighPercentile
Settled 5+ yearsⓘResidents living at the same address as five years ago — how settled the community is.Top 50%Settled 5+ years · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Moved in past yearⓘResidents living at a different address one year earlier.Top 50%Moved in past year · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Arrived from overseas (5 yr)ⓘResidents who arrived in Australia from overseas within the past five years.Top 50%Arrived from overseas · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
This suburb Typical range (middle 50%) Median suburb
Where residents lived 5 years agoof those who stated
50%
50%
50%
50%
Same address50%Moved within area50%From elsewhere in Australia50%From overseas50%
Residential paceshare of residents
Moved in the past yearⓘResidents living at a different address one year earlier.50%
Moved in the past 5 yearsⓘResidents not living at the same address as five years ago.50%
Arrived from overseas (5 yr)ⓘResidents who arrived in Australia from overseas within the past five years.50%
Property market
Market snapshot
Forster median house price & rent
Headline price, rent, yield and time on market for Forster — choose a property type and size below.
Active segment
Houses
Units
Days on marketⓘLast 12 months
40
↑ 4 days YoY
SoldⓘLast 12 months
60
↑ +50.0% YoY
Months of supplyⓘLast 12 months
5.3mo
Median rentⓘLast 12 months
$389/w
↑ +50.0% YoY
Days to leaseⓘLast 12 months
12
flat YoY
LeasedⓘLast 12 months
60
↑ +0.5% YoY
Gross yieldⓘLast 12 months
3.19%
Annualised
Data confidenceSales sample81StrongLease sample51Strong
Segment breakdown
House & unit prices by bedroom
Every segment this suburb tracks — sales and rentals side by side, ranked by total activity over the last twelve months.
Demand percentile 0–100 · last 12 months12-mo change
Sales
Rental
Demand
Segment
Sold
Price
DOM
Leased
Rent
DOM
Yield
SalesRent
01
Houses · 2 bed81 sales · 51 leases
Sold60+0.5%
Price$607k▲+50.0%
Sales DOM40 days▼−4d
Leased60+0.5%
Rent$389/wk+0.5%
Rental DOM12 days+0d
3.19%
Sales—
Rent—
02
Houses · 3 bed81 sales · 51 leases
Sold60+0.5%
Price$607k▲+50.0%
Sales DOM40 days▼−4d
Leased60▲+50.0%
Rent$389/wk▲+50.0%
Rental DOM12 days+0d
3.19%
Sales50/100
Rent50/100
03
Houses · 4 bed81 sales · 51 leases
Sold60+0.5%
Price$607k▲+50.0%
Sales DOM40 days▼−4d
Leased60▲+50.0%
Rent$389/wk▲+50.0%
Rental DOM12 days+0d
3.19%
Sales50/100
Rent50/100
04
Units · 1 bed81 sales · 51 leases
Sold60+0.5%
Price$607k▲+50.0%
Sales DOM40 days▼−4d
Leased60+0.5%
Rent$389/wk▲+50.0%
Rental DOM12 days+0d
3.19%
Sales—
Rent50/100
05
Units · 2 bed81 sales · 51 leases
Sold60+0.5%
Price$607k+0.5%
Sales DOM40 days▼−4d
Leased60+0.5%
Rent$389/wk▲+50.0%
Rental DOM12 days+0d
3.19%
Sales50/100
Rent50/100
06
Units · 3 bed81 sales · 51 leases
Sold60+0.5%
Price$607k▲+50.0%
Sales DOM40 days▼−4d
Leased60▲+50.0%
Rent$389/wk▲+50.0%
Rental DOM12 days+0d
3.19%
Sales50/100
Rent50/100
All houses
Sold60▲+50.0%
Price$607k▲+50.0%
Sales DOM40 days▼−4d
Leased60+0.5%
Rent$389/wk▲+50.0%
Rental DOM12 days+0d
3.19%
Sales50/100
Rent50/100
All units
Sold60+0.5%
Price$607k▲+50.0%
Sales DOM40 days▼−4d
Leased60+0.5%
Rent$389/wk▲+50.0%
Rental DOM12 days+0d
3.19%
Sales50/100
Rent50/100
Where each segment ranks
Forster property growth
Where each segment sits against its peers in the chosen geography — past the midline means it's outperforming the rest.
Metric
Ranked against
Market demandHow fast this market is moving — a velocity index built from trailing-year transaction volume and median days on market. Strong volume lifts the score; days on market drags it down, with the drag growing sharply once listings start lingering. Ranked against peers in the chosen geography.
Houses
3/3above median
02550 · MEDIAN75100
Percentile vs NSW
Value
Units
3/3above median
02550 · MEDIAN75100
Percentile vs NSW
Value
The buy-versus-rent equation
Buying vs renting in Forster
What it costs each week to own a property versus renting the same one — positive means buying carries the premium, negative means rent covers the mortgage.
Property
Compare to
Houses · 3 bed: +50%
Houses · 4 bed: +50%
Houses · Total: +50%
Units · 2 bed: +50%
Units · 3 bed: +50%
Units · Total: +50%
NSW MEDIAN · +58%
Rent covers itRenting matches or beats the cost of owning−10% to 0%
BalancedMortgage roughly matches asking rent+30% to +60%
Far pricier to ownBuying costs much more than renting+100% to +130%+
BreakdownLast 12 months
Holding cost
Mortgage
Rent
Premium
Band
01
Houses · 3 bed60 sales · 60 leases
−$213/wk
$602/wk
$389/wk
+50%
Typical premium
02
Houses · 4 bed60 sales · 60 leases
−$213/wk
$602/wk
$389/wk
+50%
Typical premium
03
Units · 2 bed60 sales · 60 leases
−$213/wk
$602/wk
$389/wk
+50%
Typical premium
04
Units · 3 bed60 sales · 60 leases
−$213/wk
$602/wk
$389/wk
+50%
Typical premium
Assumes 80% LVR·6.0% rate·30y P&I
Premium = (weekly mortgage − weekly rent) ÷ weekly rent. Band thresholds are national breakpoints across ~11,400 eligible Australian segments — the Typical premium band spans national P25 to P75, so it’s literally what’s typical.
Market data
How strong is demand, and which way is it heading?
Two questions on one chart — how strong demand is right now, and which way it's heading year-on-year.
Side
View
Property
Bedrooms
Radius
Compared against
Sales market velocity
2 nearby suburbs · 10km · Total house · sales
risingfalling
DOM change YoYis demand rising or falling?
median
median
Recoveryweak but rising
Boomstrong and rising
Troughweak and falling
Peakstrong but easing
Nearby suburb
Demand index
6 / 100vs NSW
Days on market
47 days▼ −17 days YoY
Median price
$388k▲ +8.0% YoY
Sold (last year)
18▲ +25.1% YoY
Nearby suburb
Demand index
10 / 100vs NSW
Days on market
63 days▼ −99 days YoY
Median price
$496k▼ −1.0% YoY
Sold (last year)
23▲ +40.4% YoY
Forster · this suburb
Demand index
41 / 100vs NSW
Days on market
40 days▼ −4 days YoY
Median price
$607k▲ +50.0% YoY
Sold (last year)
60▲ +50.0% YoY
weakSales market velocityhow strong sales demand isstrong
This suburb Neighbouring suburbs · coloured by market phaseHover a point for its figures
Market data
Forster against the neighbourhood
Eight diagnostic views cutting the data a different way each time — Forster in blue, peers in colour.
Pair
View
Property
Bedrooms
Radius
How fast — and is it getting faster?
3 peer suburbs · 10km · Total house
fasterslower
DOM change YoYvs 12 months ago
median
median
Recoveringquiet but accelerating
Boomingbusy and accelerating
Stalledquiet and slowing further
Coolingbusy but slowing
Nearby suburb
Demand index
0 / 100vs Australia
Days on market
102 days—
Median price
—▲ +36.0% YoY
Sold (last year)
—▲ +132.0% YoY
Gross yield
5.00%
Nearby suburb
Demand index
0 / 100vs Australia
Days on market
107 days—
Median price
—▲ +33.0% YoY
Sold (last year)
—▲ +177.0% YoY
Gross yield
6.00%
Nearby suburb
Demand index
0 / 100vs Australia
Days on market
119 days—
Median price
—▲ +36.0% YoY
Sold (last year)
—▲ +101.0% YoY
Gross yield
6.00%
Forster · this suburb
Demand index
50 / 100vs Australia
Days on market
40 days▼ −4 days YoY
Median price
$607k▲ +50.0% YoY
Sold (last year)
60▲ +50.0% YoY
Gross yield
3.19%
slowDays on marketmedian days to sellfast
This suburb Neighbouring suburbs · coloured by market phaseHover a point for its figures
How much is available right now?
Housing supply & months of stock
How long current listings would take to clear at the recent rate of sales or leases. Critical shortage and Oversupply only fire at the genuine tails of the national distribution — sales tip in under 0.7 months, rentals far faster, under 0.3.
View
Sales market
| Segment | Band | Months of supply left | YoYYoY change12-month change in months of supply. Down means stock is tightening (fewer months than a year ago); up means stock is loosening. | ListedListedActive listings in this segment right now, derived from months of supply multiplied by the recent transaction rate. | SoldSold (last year)Total sold transactions completed in this segment over the last 12 months. | Per monthPer monthAverage monthly absorption — how many properties are sold each month in this segment, over the last 12 months. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe shortage | 1.1 | ▼ -1.9 | 6 | 60 | 5.0 | |
| Balanced | 2.7 | ▲ +1.0 | 14 | 60 | 5.0 | |
| Slightly loose | 3.4 | ▼ -1.4 | 17 | 60 | 5.0 | |
| Loose | 4.0 | ▲ +1.0 | 20 | 60 | 5.0 | |
| Loose | 5.3 | ▲ +1.5 | 27 | 60 | 5.0 | |
| Loose | 5.5 | ▲ +2.2 | 28 | 60 | 5.0 | |
| Loose | 5.6 | ▲ +3.3 | 28 | 60 | 5.0 | |
| Loose | 6.6 | ▲ +3.4 | 33 | 60 | 5.0 |
median
Rental market
| Segment | Band | Months of supply left | YoYYoY change12-month change in months of supply. Down means stock is tightening (fewer months than a year ago); up means stock is loosening. | ListedListedActive listings in this segment right now, derived from months of supply multiplied by the recent transaction rate. | LeasedLeased (last year)Total leased transactions completed in this segment over the last 12 months. | Per monthPer monthAverage monthly absorption — how many properties are leased each month in this segment, over the last 12 months. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tight | 0.4 | ▼ -1.2 | 2 | 60 | 5.0 | |
| Tight | 0.5 | ▼ -1.9 | 3 | 60 | 5.0 | |
| National typical | 0.7 | ▼ -1.6 | 4 | 60 | 5.0 | |
| Loose | 1.3 | ▲ +0.3 | 7 | 60 | 5.0 | |
| Loose | 1.5 | ▲ +0.8 | 8 | 60 | 5.0 | |
| Oversupply | 2.0 | ▲ +0.9 | 10 | 60 | 5.0 | |
| Oversupply | 2.1 | ▲ +1.2 | 11 | 60 | 5.0 | |
| Oversupply | 2.5 | ▲ +0.8 | 13 | 60 | 5.0 |
median
Severe
Very Tight
Tight
Balanced
Loose
Very Loose
Saturated
Under-suppliedOver-supplied
Market data
Who's transacting — buyers or tenants?
Out of every property transaction in this suburb, what share are sales versus leases — each point a rolling twelve-month window.
Property
Forster — Units & Houses, all bedrooms
Jul 2021 – Jun 2026 · each point = a 12-month window
0%25%50%75%100%20222023202420252026
Sales · buyer transactions
Leases · tenant transactions
Five-year arc
Forster median house price & rent history
Each tape traces one metric across sixty months for the selected segment — every point a trailing twelve-month figure, matching the headline KPIs above.
Five-year summaryAs of Jun 2026, the median house sale price in Forster rose from $463k (Jul 2021) to $561k (Jun 2026) — +21.1% growth over five years — peaking at $794k between Apr 2025 and Mar 2026. Median house rent went from $298/wk to $589/wk (+97.7%) over the same period. For units, the median sale price rose from $384k to $470k (+22.4%), with rent up from $253/wk to $365/wk (+44.3%) over the same period.
PropertyBedrooms
Median price (trailing year)
Jun 2026
$561k-8.4%
5y median $546kvs last year $612k
Total sales (trailing year)
Jun 2026
183+43.0%
5y median 172vs last year 128
Days on market (trailing year)
Jun 2026
35 days-21
5y median 46 daysvs last year 56 days
Median rent (trailing year)
Jun 2026
$589/wk+66.4%
5y median $424/wkvs last year $354/wk
Total leases (trailing year)
Jun 2026
138-15.3%
5y median 116vs last year 163
Days on market (rental) (trailing year)
Jun 2026
17 days+1
5y median 16 daysvs last year 16 days
Gross yield (trailing year)
Jun 2026
1.92%-0.51 pt
5y median 2.54%vs last year 2.43%
Months of supply
Jun 2026
2.7 months-27.0%
5y median 3.8 monthsvs last year 3.8 months
Months of supply (rental)
Jun 2026
0.8 months-50.6%
5y median 1.4 monthsvs last year 1.6 months
Nearby markets
Suburbs near Forster: prices compared
The nearest suburbs to Forster, ranked by distance — each lined up against Forster on the same measures, so the differences jump out at a glance.
Market
Property
Bedrooms
Radius
Colour by
This marketForsterNSW 2428 · Houses · Total
Price$607k
DOM40 days
Sold60
2 markets within 5kmLast 12 months
Houses · TotalSales market
Stat colourHow each suburb's stat compares to Forster
Much lowerLowerSimilarHigherMuch higher
Similar markets
Suburbs like Forster
Suburbs anywhere in NSW that behave like Forster — matched on price, growth, selling speed and demand, not on distance. A shortlist of markets that move the same way — including ones far away you'd never think to compare. (Want the suburbs right next door instead? See Nearby markets above.)
Forster vs Smiths Lake: the closest sales-market match trades at a median of $469k against Forster's $607k — about 23% lower, with homes selling in 25 days versus 40 days here.
Colour by
Property
Bedrooms
Market
This marketForsterNSW 2428 · Houses · Total
Price$607k
DOM40 days
Sold60
Most similar sales markets · within 13.1–328 kmLast 12 months
0102030405
Smiths LakeNSW 2428 · 13km · 63% match
Price$469k
DOM25 days
Sold51
Lake CathieNSW 2445 · 49km · 52% match
Price$589k
DOM39 days
Sold103
Tura BeachNSW 2548 · 328km · 44% match
Price$661k
DOM39 days
Sold42
Wallabi PointNSW 2430 · 21km · 60% match
Price$682k
DOM34 days
Sold10
YambaNSW 2464 · 188km · 60% match
Price$494k
DOM34 days
Sold124
Stat colourHow each suburb's stat compares to Forster
Much lowerLowerSimilarHigherMuch higher
Comparable sales markets to Forster: Smiths Lake property market, Lake Cathie property growth, Tura Beach property market, Wallabi Point median house price and Yamba average house price.
Forster's closest rental-market twins: Lake Cathie property growth, Tura Beach property market, Wallabi Point median house price, Yamba property prices and Smiths Lake property market. Each link opens that suburb's full market report.
Market data
Frequently asked · Forster
26 data-driven answers about Forster's property market — every one computed from the metrics above.
What things cost
Prices, rent, yield, ownership costWhat is the median house price in Forster?
#The median house price in Forster, NSW 2428 is $607k as of June 2026, based on 81 sales over the past 12 months. Houses there have moved +50.0% year-on-year. Prices vary by bedroom count, from compact two-bedroom homes to larger four-bedroom houses. See the bedroom-level breakdown below for 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom medians.
What is the median unit price in Forster?
#The median unit price in Forster, NSW 2428 is $607k as of June 2026, based on 81 sales over the past 12 months. Units have moved +50.0% year-on-year and currently trade at roughly 100% of the median house price.
How much does it cost to rent in Forster?
#The median weekly house rent in Forster is $389 as of June 2026, drawn from 51 leases over the past 12 months. Units rent for around $389 per week. House rents have moved +50.0% year-on-year. Current vacancy pressure is shown in the supply section above.
How much is rent for a 3 bedroom house in Forster?
#A 3 bedroom house in Forster rents for a median $389 per week as of June 2026, drawn from 51 leases over the past 12 months. Across other house sizes: 2-bedroom $389/week, 4-bedroom $389/week. Unit rents: 1-bedroom $389/week, 2-bedroom $389/week, 3-bedroom $389/week. Figures cover only segments with enough recent leases to be statistically meaningful; sparse segments are excluded. The segment breakdown covers rent, yield and days on market for every property type and bedroom count.
What is the gross rental yield in Forster?
#Gross rental yield in Forster is 3.19% for houses and 3.19% for units as of June 2026, compared with the NSW unit median of 3.20%. Gross yield is annual rent divided by purchase price — it doesn't account for ownership costs like council rates, strata, maintenance or vacancy.
How much is a 3 bedroom house in Forster?
#As of June 2026, Forster medians by bedroom count:
| Property | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | 4 bed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houses | — | $607k | $607k | $607k | $607k |
| Units | $607k | $607k | $607k | — | $607k |
Figures cover only segments with enough recent transactions to be statistically meaningful; sparse segments are excluded.
What does it cost to own versus rent at the Forster median?
#At the median Forster house ($607k purchase, $389/week rent), weekly mortgage repayments sit at roughly $602 — about $213 more per week than renting. That gap is the ownership premium. For the median unit ($607k purchase, $389/week rent), repayments run about $602 per week. Figures assume 80% LVR, a 6.0% interest rate and a 30-year principal-and-interest loan.
How the market is moving
Speed, supply, growth, cycle phaseWhat are Forster's property market trends?
#Forster's property market trends to June 2026: house prices rose +50.0% year-on-year and units +50.0%; weekly house rents moved +50.0%; homes now sell in a median 40 days — faster than a year ago by 4; sales supply sits at 5.3 months (very loose). Read together — price, rent, selling speed and supply — they show which way the Forster market is leaning. The 5-year tape and demand cycle charts above plot the full trajectory.
What does the data say about Forster as an investment?
#As of June 2026 in Forster, house prices rose +50.0% over the year, gross rental yield is 3.19% against a NSW median of 2.67%, houses take a median 40 days to sell, sales supply is 5.3 months (very loose). Capital growth, rental yield, selling speed and supply are the signals investors weigh — but these figures describe the market, not a recommendation. This is data, not financial advice; always do your own research and consider a licensed adviser.
How quickly do houses sell in Forster?
#Houses in Forster sell in a median 40 days on market as of June 2026, with units clearing slightly similarly at 40 days. Days on market have tightened by 4 days versus a year ago. Faster clearance typically coincides with stronger buyer demand and lower supply.
Is Forster a tight or loose property market right now?
#Forster's sales market sits at 5.3 months of supply for houses as of June 2026 — classified as Very Loose against the Australian distribution. Under 1.7 months is Severe (extreme shortage); over 4.5 months is Loose. The rental side is tighter still at 0.4 months of supply.
Have property prices in Forster gone up or down?
#House prices in Forster moved +50.0% over the 12 months to June 2026, while units moved +50.0%. The 5-year tape above plots the full monthly trajectory — showing where the market changed character rather than just crossing round numbers.
How active is the rental market in Forster?
#Forster's house rental market sits at 0.4 months of supply as of June 2026 — classified as Severe (extreme shortage), with 60 houses leased over the past 12 months. Units sit at 2.0 months. Tighter supply typically corresponds to faster letting and upward pressure on rents.
Where is Forster in its property market cycle?
#Forster's house market is currently in the 'softer_firming' phase as of June 2026 — combining above-median sales velocity nationally with year-on-year tightening in days on market. The demand cycle chart above plots all eight segments on the same demand-versus-direction axes.
How it compares
Vs state, vs nearby, vs popularHow does Forster compare to other NSW suburbs?
#Forster's median house price ($607k) is 38% below the NSW median ($986k) as of June 2026. On selling speed, houses clear in 40 days vs 18 days state median. On gross yield, Forster sits at 3.19% vs 2.67% state median.
How does Forster compare to neighbouring suburbs?
#Forster's most-similar nearby market is Smiths Lake (13.1 km away) with a median house price of $469k — about 23% cheaper. The Nearby and Similar markets sections above rank every peer within radius and by composite similarity across price, days on market, yield, ownership cost and cycle phase.
What's the most popular property type in Forster?
#The most-transacted segment in Forster over the 12 months to June 2026 is 2 bed houses with 60 sales. 3 bed houses come second at 60 sales. The buying-versus-renting section above breaks down the top segments with weekly mortgage, rent and ownership-cost detail.
How many properties were sold and leased in Forster last year?
#Forster recorded 60 house sales and 60 unit sales over the 12 months to June 2026 — a combined 120 transactions. On the rental side, 60 houses and 60 units were leased. Segments with statistically thin samples are excluded from displayed figures.
About the area
Population, income, who lives here, schoolsWhat postcode is Forster in?
#Forster is in postcode 2428, in the Mid North Coast region of NSW. Addresses there are written as Forster, NSW 2428.
What is the population of Forster?
#Forster, NSW 2428 is home to 7,546 residents (ABS Census 2021). The median resident age is 30, and the average household holds 1.7 people. The "Who lives here" section above breaks the community down by age, life stage and tenure.
What is the median household income in Forster?
#The median household in Forster earns $873 per week — roughly $45k a year (ABS Census 2021). Median personal income runs $353/week. Income, rent-to-income and mortgage-to-income context sits in the "Who lives here" section above.
What is the unemployment rate in Forster?
#The unemployment rate in Forster is 50.0% (ABS Census 2021). That sits right around the median for Australian suburbs. The rate counts people who are working or actively looking for work — not a share of all residents. Workforce participation sits at 50%. The local economy section above covers incomes, employment status and the occupation mix.
Do people own or rent in Forster?
#Forster is mostly owner-occupied: about 100% of households are owner-occupiers and 50% rent (ABS Census 2021). Of owners, 50% own outright and 50% are paying off a mortgage.
What schools are near Forster?
#Forster has 8 schools within reach, 3 of them inside the suburb itself — including Great Lakes College Forster Campus, Forster Public School, Holy Name Primary School. The Schools section above maps each one with sector, year range, enrolment, Micromarkets-compiled academic ratings and ICSEA (ACARA).
Is Forster a good place to live?
#Forster, NSW 2428 has a population of 7,546, a median age of 30, a median household income around $873/week, 50% of households renting (ABS Census 2021). There are 8 schools within reach. Whether it's the right fit depends on your priorities — these figures describe the community, housing mix and amenity rather than offer a verdict.
About this data
Methodology and update cadenceWhen was this Forster market data last updated?
#This Forster market data was last updated July 2026, covering the 12 months to June 2026. Figures are computed monthly from 12-month rolling windows of recorded sales and leases, with five years of monthly history behind the trend charts. Methodology, glossary and data sources are linked in the footer.