Lake Cathie, NSW 2445
Lake Cathie property market
House sales lead the way in Lake Cathie, with 125 sales (down 10.1%) at around $917.5k (up 1.6%) as of July 2026, taking about 51 days to sell (down from 53 days last year), with 4-bedroom the biggest group at around 4 in 10.
House rentals follow closely, with 104 leases (up 7.2%) at $695 a week (up 3.7%), renting out in about 18 days, more sought-after than most house rental markets in NSW, just over half of homes are 3-bedroom. Rounding it out, 18 unit rentals at $475 a week (less sought-after than most unit rental markets). 10 unit sales at around $671k.
Who lives hereA below-average-income, mostly owner-occupied, retirement-age suburb.
House covers houses, duplexes, semi-detached and terraces; Unit covers apartments, units, townhouses and villas.
Lake Cathie demographics & population
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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InsideWho lives here · What homes cost to buy & rent · How fast homes are selling · How much is for sale or rent · How it compares to nearby suburbs · Schools nearby
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Who lives in Lake Cathie?
The age structure, household make-up, and cultural fabric of the people who call this suburb home.
Share of all residents by 5-year band · hover a band for the count + split
A strongly multicultural community with deep migrant heritage.
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.
Housing & affordability in Lake Cathie
What it costs to live here, who owns versus rents, and the shape of the housing stock.
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.
Income & employment in Lake Cathie
Incomes, employment, and the occupation mix of the people who live here.
Household and personal income sit close together — lots of single-earner or lone-person homes.
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.
Getting around Lake Cathie
How people get to work, and how car-dependent the suburb is — the clearest tell of inner-urban versus outer-suburban living.
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 Lake Cathie
1 school inside Lake Cathie, plus the closest options around it. Families can choose from 1 primary school in Lake Cathie and its surrounds — no high school sits within this radius. Distances are straight-line from the suburb centre and are not enrolment catchments — always confirm zones with the school.
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.
- Within Lake Cathie · 1Order by
- 1Lake Cathie Public SchoolGovernment · Primary · Co-ed · Years K-6 · Within suburbState Rank—English—Maths—Students239Multilingual50%ICSEA Rank50th
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.
Turnover
How settled or transient the community is — and where newcomers came from.
Lake Cathie median house price & rent
Headline price, rent, yield and time on market for Lake Cathie — choose a property type and size below.
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.
Lake Cathie property growth
Where each segment sits against its peers in the chosen geography — past the midline means it's outperforming the rest.
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
Units
Buying vs renting in Lake Cathie
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.
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.
Sales market velocity
Lake Cathie against the neighbourhood
Eight diagnostic views cutting the data a different way each time — Lake Cathie in blue, peers in colour.
How fast — and is it getting faster?
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.
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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced | 2.1 | ▼ -1.7 | 4 | 21 | 1.8 | |
| Balanced | 2.7 | ▲ +1.9 | 5 | 21 | 1.8 | |
| Slightly loose | 3.7 | — | 6 | 21 | 1.8 | |
| Loose | 4.0 | ▲ +1.3 | 7 | 21 | 1.8 | |
| Loose | 5.3 | ▲ +3.4 | 9 | 21 | 1.8 | |
| Loose | 5.6 | ▲ +1.9 | 10 | 21 | 1.8 | |
| Loose | 6.0 | ▲ +2.0 | 11 | 21 | 1.8 |
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. |
|---|
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.
Lake Cathie — Units & Houses, all bedrooms
Lake Cathie 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 Lake Cathie rose from $282k (Jul 2021) to $460k (Jun 2026) — +63.2% growth over five years — peaking at $833k between Sep 2022 and Aug 2023. Median house rent went from $418/wk to $378/wk (−9.6%) over the same period. For units, the median sale price rose from $397k to $476k (+19.8%), with rent down from $292/wk to $290/wk (−0.7%) over the same period.
Suburbs near Lake Cathie: prices compared
The nearest suburbs to Lake Cathie, ranked by distance — each lined up against Lake Cathie on the same measures, so the differences jump out at a glance.
Suburbs like Lake Cathie
Suburbs anywhere in NSW that behave like Lake Cathie — 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.)
Lake Cathie vs Forster: the closest sales-market match trades at a median of $747k against Lake Cathie's $660k — about 13% higher, with homes selling in 42 days versus 50 days here.
Comparable sales markets to Lake Cathie: Forster property growth, Tura Beach property market, Thrumster market trends, Wallabi Point median house price and Yamba average house price.
Lake Cathie's closest rental-market twins: Forster house prices, Tura Beach property market, Thrumster (NSW 2444), Wallabi Point median house price and Yamba property prices. Each link opens that suburb's full market report.
Frequently asked · Lake Cathie
26 data-driven answers about Lake Cathie's property market — every one computed from the metrics above.
What things cost
Prices, rent, yield, ownership costWhat is the median house price in Lake Cathie?
#The median house price in Lake Cathie, NSW 2445 is $660k as of June 2026, based on 25 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 Lake Cathie?
#The median unit price in Lake Cathie, NSW 2445 is $660k as of June 2026, based on 25 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 Lake Cathie?
#The median weekly house rent in Lake Cathie is $406 as of June 2026, drawn from 17 leases over the past 12 months. Units rent for around $406 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 Lake Cathie?
#A 3 bedroom house in Lake Cathie rents for a median $406 per week as of June 2026, drawn from 17 leases over the past 12 months. Across other house sizes: 2-bedroom $406/week, 4-bedroom $406/week. Unit rents: 1-bedroom $406/week, 2-bedroom $406/week, 3-bedroom $406/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 Lake Cathie?
#Gross rental yield in Lake Cathie is 3.22% for houses and 3.22% for units as of June 2026, compared with the NSW unit median of 3.80%. 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 Lake Cathie?
#As of June 2026, Lake Cathie medians by bedroom count:
| Property | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | 4 bed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houses | — | $660k | $660k | $660k | $660k |
| Units | — | $660k | $660k | — | $660k |
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 Lake Cathie median?
#At the median Lake Cathie house ($660k purchase, $406/week rent), weekly mortgage repayments sit at roughly $735 — about $329 more per week than renting. That gap is the ownership premium. 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 Lake Cathie's property market trends?
#Lake Cathie'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 50 days — faster than a year ago by 14; sales supply sits at 5.3 months (very loose). Read together — price, rent, selling speed and supply — they show which way the Lake Cathie market is leaning. The 5-year tape and demand cycle charts above plot the full trajectory.
What does the data say about Lake Cathie as an investment?
#As of June 2026 in Lake Cathie, house prices rose +50.0% over the year, gross rental yield is 3.22% against a NSW median of 2.08%, houses take a median 50 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 Lake Cathie?
#Houses in Lake Cathie sell in a median 50 days on market as of June 2026, with units clearing slightly similarly at 50 days. Days on market have tightened by 14 days versus a year ago. Faster clearance typically coincides with stronger buyer demand and lower supply.
Is Lake Cathie a tight or loose property market right now?
#Lake Cathie'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 Lake Cathie gone up or down?
#House prices in Lake Cathie 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 Lake Cathie?
#Lake Cathie's house rental market sits at 0.4 months of supply as of June 2026 — classified as Severe (extreme shortage), with 19 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 Lake Cathie in its property market cycle?
#Lake Cathie'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 Lake Cathie compare to other NSW suburbs?
#Lake Cathie's median house price ($660k) is 36% below the NSW median ($1.03M) as of June 2026. On selling speed, houses clear in 50 days vs 24 days state median. On gross yield, Lake Cathie sits at 3.22% vs 2.08% state median.
How does Lake Cathie compare to neighbouring suburbs?
#Lake Cathie's most-similar nearby market is Forster (51.0 km away) with a median house price of $747k — about 13% pricier. 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 Lake Cathie?
#The most-transacted segment in Lake Cathie over the 12 months to June 2026 is 2 bed houses with 21 sales. 3 bed houses come second at 21 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 Lake Cathie last year?
#Lake Cathie recorded 21 house sales and 21 unit sales over the 12 months to June 2026 — a combined 42 transactions. On the rental side, 19 houses and 19 units were leased. Segments with statistically thin samples are excluded from displayed figures.
About the area
Population, income, who lives here, schoolsWhat postcode is Lake Cathie in?
#Lake Cathie is in postcode 2445, in the Mid North Coast region of NSW. Addresses there are written as Lake Cathie, NSW 2445.
What is the population of Lake Cathie?
#Lake Cathie, NSW 2445 is home to 3,431 residents (ABS Census 2021). The median resident age is 36, and the average household holds 1.4 people. The "Who lives here" section above breaks the community down by age, life stage and tenure.
What is the median household income in Lake Cathie?
#The median household in Lake Cathie earns $683 per week — roughly $36k a year (ABS Census 2021). Median personal income runs $559/week. Income, rent-to-income and mortgage-to-income context sits in the "Who lives here" section above.
What is the unemployment rate in Lake Cathie?
#The unemployment rate in Lake Cathie 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 Lake Cathie?
#Lake Cathie 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 Lake Cathie?
#Lake Cathie has 31 schools within reach, 1 of them inside the suburb itself — including Lake Cathie Public School. The Schools section above maps each one with sector, year range, enrolment, Micromarkets-compiled academic ratings and ICSEA (ACARA).
Is Lake Cathie a good place to live?
#Lake Cathie, NSW 2445 has a population of 3,431, a median age of 36, a median household income around $683/week, 50% of households renting (ABS Census 2021). There are 31 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 Lake Cathie market data last updated?
#This Lake Cathie 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.