suburb.guide

NSW · Mid-Coast Council

Forster, 2428

Current weather

19°CClear sky

56% humidity · 14.1 km/h wind · 23.7° / 16.6° today · 0.1 mm rain

Updated

Desirability score

45.5/100
Average

Top 38% of New South Wales' suburbs

89% data confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • National parks
  • Excellent transport
  • High desirability
What Forster is known for: Green suburb, National parks, Excellent transport, High desirability

Suburb profile

Forster is a regional centre in Mid-Coast that balances local services with a more relaxed pace of life. The community is self-contained in the best sense. Local life comes first, with the region opening up beyond. Generous greenery runs through the area, from street trees to tucked-away reserves.

An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees. Local shops, markets and community spots keep everyday life grounded in the town itself. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.

Public transport is a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. Homes are relatively affordable, which helps families and first-time residents put down roots.

The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and housing affordability against similar regional towns, even with parks and green space and growth momentum holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

Population

Population
14,187
Median age
57
Median household income / week
$1,009
Dwelling vacancy
19.7%
Unoccupied private dwellings
1,530 of 7,781
Median monthly mortgage
$1,733
Employment rate
39.2%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
478 / 942 / 1,119

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Housing

Flats / units (January to March 2026)
$460
Houses (January to March 2026)
$650
All types (January to March 2026)
$550
Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
207

Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.

Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)

Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum

Data sources & freshness

Crime & safety

Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
1,265
Against the person
334
Against property
509
Rate per 1,000 residents
89.2
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 42 residents
State safety percentile
62.5th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-6%

Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • Breach Apprehended Violence Order133
  • Breach Bail Conditions216
  • Domestic Violence Related Assault185
  • Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment205
  • Malicious Damage To Property170

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

  • BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
3
Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
936
  • Forster Public SchoolPrimary
  • Great Lakes College Forster CampusSecondary
  • Holy Name Primary SchoolPrimary

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

412 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Becker Rd After Churchill Rd
  • Becker Rd At Strand St
  • Becker Rd Before Churchill Rd
  • Forster Coach Terminal, Little St
  • Pioneer Dr At Kiola Pl

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

  • Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)

Planning & development

Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).

870 planning-related records

2026· 40 proposals

  • June 2026

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    16 BECKER ROAD FORSTER 2428On Exhibition
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    34 SEAVIEW STREET FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
  • Erection of a new structure; Jetty
    12 ROEBUCK KEY FORSTER 2428On Exhibition
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space; Residential Accommodation
    112 BECKER ROAD FORSTER 2428On Exhibition
  • Erection of a new structure; Animal boarding or training establishment
    5 SWEET PEA ROAD FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah
    89 MYALL DRIVE FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool
    3 LOVEDALE WAY FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    11 MURRAY AVENUE FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
  • Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home
    21 CABARITA AVENUE FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
  • Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure
    114 MACINTOSH STREET FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
  • Attached dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    3 ALICE STREET FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)
    80 AKALA AVENUE FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    168 THE LAKES WAY FORSTER 2428Under Assessment

  • May 2026

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah
    23 LAKEVIEW CRESCENT FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
  • Demolition; Shop top housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    49-55 WHARF STREET FORSTER NSW 2428Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    12 ELIZABETH PARADE FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    44 SUNSET AVENUE FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    6 TUMBARUMBA WAY FORSTER 2428Withdrawn
  • Medical centre; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia
    3 BOONA STREET FORSTER 2428Additional Information Requested

  • April 2026

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah
    26 BOUNTY KEY FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)
    7 PANORAMA CRESCENT FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport
    23 UNDARA CIRCUIT FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    9 GUY AVENUE FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    77 PIONEER DRIVE FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Electricity generating facility (solar and wind); Other Infrastructure
    3-17 BREESE PARADE FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    2 ILUKA BOULEVARD FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    12 MYALL DRIVE FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    8 SURFSIDE AVENUE FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    4 ILUKA BOULEVARD FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Carport
    1 PARADISE AVENUE FORSTER 2428Withdrawn
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    4 UNDERWOOD ROAD FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    1 TAMAR COURT FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)
    37 STRAND STREET FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    21 SURFSIDE AVENUE FORSTER 2428Determined

  • March 2026

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport
    2 62 KENROSE STREET FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space
    5 ROSEVILLE CLOSE FORSTER 2428Additional Information Requested
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Health services facility
    5A SOUTH STREET FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
  • Demolition; Commercial development; Advertising and signage; Retail Premise; Specialised Retail Premises
    8 BREESE PARADE FORSTER 2428Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    6 PALM ROAD FORSTER 2428Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    16 ELOUERA CRESCENT FORSTER 2428Determined

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

32 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Akala Av at Wamara CresBus stop
  • Akala Av opp Undara CctBus stop
  • Bali Hai Av at Capri AvBus stop
  • Bali Hai Av at Skye CresBus stop
  • Bus stop
  • Carribean Av after Bali Hai AvBus stop
  • Discovery Dr at Victor AvBus stop
  • Estia Health Forster, The Southern PwyBus stop
  • Gleneon Dr at Mayfair PlBus stop
  • Gleneon Dr at Victoria PlBus stop

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Parks & reserves

18 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Bennetts Head ReservePark
  • Boronia ParkPark
  • Dolphin ReservePark
  • Elizabeth ReservePark
  • Elouera ReservePark
  • End and RecoveryPark
  • Forster Heights ParkPark
  • Friendship ReservePark
  • Island ReservePark
  • Marcel Terry ReservePark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
4
Emergency department
On site
  • Amcalpharmacy
  • Forster Dental CentreWallis Streetdentist
  • Forster Private HospitalSouth Streethospital
  • Skin Cancer ClinicWest Streetdoctor

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
2/10
IRSD decile (2021)
2/10

SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Lillypilly Pre-schoolkindergarten
  • kindergartenCross Streetkindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Bushfire hazard overlays

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
110
Parks (OSM)
23

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)

Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Desirability Index

Desirability score
45.5/100 — Average
State standing
Top 38% of New South Wales' suburbs
National rank
2537th in Australia
State rank
799th in NSW
Peer rank
#78 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#202 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
89%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • Akala Av at Wamara Cresamenitiesbus_stop
  • Akala Av opp Undara Cctamenitiesbus_stop
  • Australia Postamenitiespost_box
  • Bali Hai Av at Capri Avamenitiesbus_stop
  • Bali Hai Av at Skye Cresamenitiesbus_stop
  • Bus stopamenitiesbus_stop
  • Carribean Av after Bali Hai Avamenitiesbus_stop
  • Discovery Dr at Victor Avamenitiesbus_stop
  • Estia Health Forster, The Southern Pwyamenitiesbus_stop
  • Forster Christian Life Centreamenitiesplace_of_worship

Data sources & freshness

More in Mid-Coast Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.