1.Brunslea Park Estate
Residential Development
ConstructionA masterplanned residential estate providing registered land lots for home building, emphasizing community belonging and rural living close to urban amenities in Forest Hill.
Home › AUS › Rest of NSW › Wagga Wagga › Forest Hill
Rest of NSW / Wagga Wagga
$530
Median rent / wk
Period ending Mar 2026
+8.2%
Rent growth / yr
Period ending Mar 2026
3,227
People
17 Jul 2026
+4.7%
Growth since 2021
Census
7
For sale now
indexed listings
Data sourcesABSDFFH Rental ReportACARARefreshed July 2026
ABS QuickStats SAL11547How we calculate this
How figures are calculatedFigures are extracted from the sources listed here at the observation date shown, and displayed unchanged. Rank bars use the profile's score out of 10 where one exists. Missing values are shown as unavailable — never estimated or back-filled.
Suburb (SAL) analysis
This analysis uses Suburb (SAL) boundaries, which can differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when they share the same name. SAL 11547.
3,227
People
est. as @ 17 Jul 2026
2021 Census | 3,081 people
34.62 km²
Land area
93.2 /km²
Density
1.5%
Unemployment
29 /yr
Resi approvals
The suburb of Forest Hill (NSW) is situated 152 kilometers west from the Canberra CBD. Based on analysis of yearly SA2-level Estimated Resident Population counts and quarterly national address updates, the population is estimated at approximately 3,227 as of May 2026. This reflects a growth of 146 people (4.7%) since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 3,081 people. Demographically, the area is characterized by a notable proportion of residents aged 15 to 24, a pronounced share of children aged 0 to 4, and high representations of both mortgage holders and renters. The local labor market is supported by a strong public administration employment base and very low unemployment rates. The area also shows strong expansion patterns and sales volumes that are significantly above average relative to the population. Known for its scenic landscapes along the Murrumbidgee River, the region features rolling hills, lush farmlands, and serene riverscapes. The community has a rich history reflected in its heritage sites and historical architecture, alongside a thriving arts scene supported by local galleries, museums, and theaters. Outdoor recreation is highly popular, with opportunities for boating, bushwalking, birdwatching, and exploring nature reserves. The local agricultural sector also supports a strong food and wine industry. Furthermore, the area is set to benefit from an exceptional level of planned major infrastructure projects designed to support future regional performance.
Estimated residents are up from 3,081 at the 2021 Census — a change of 146 people, or 4.7%.
Districts View
Population growth
Forest Hill ranks in the 83rd percentile nationally for population growth, with the population up +4.7% since the 2021 Census.
Forecast demand
Official forecasts point to an additional 598 residents by 2041 — growth of 18.5% on the current estimated population.
Infrastructure pipeline
8 major projects are tracked in and around Forest Hill, and infrastructure activity ranks in the 88th percentile nationally.
Employment outlook
Industry-weighted employment growth of 5.4% is forecast over the next five years based on the local industry mix.
No standout risks in the ingested evidence — this is coverage, not an all-clear.
Districts' reading of national rankings, Census change and the tracked project pipeline for Forest Hill. Each line cites its evidence; this is interpretation, not advice. The Investment Report PDF is the long form of this thesis.
Sales activity
Data to 17 Jul 2026No market glance has been ingested for this suburb yet. Recorded sales below come from Districts property records where indexed.
Residential supply
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
Districts analysis of residential development drivers sees Forest Hill recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide
Detail
According to building approval figures from the ABS compiled by Districts from local statistical divisions, Forest Hill averages approximately 29 residential approvals on an annual basis, with 148 dwellings approved during the past 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 28 registered during FY-26 so far. An average ratio of 1.9 new residents per built dwelling over the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) suggests that supply is matching local demand well, supporting a balanced market, with new projects averaging a construction value of $451,000, which points to developer focus on upscale, high-end housing. Meanwhile, commercial construction approvals totaled $714,000 for the current financial year, representing very low levels of commercial building activity.
Compared against the Rest of NSW average, local building approvals per resident are 98.0% higher, offering more options for prospective buyers, even though local development rates have slowed down lately. Recent approvals consist of 87.0% detached houses and 13.0% medium to high-density options, preserving the established low-density profile of the neighborhood and its focus on family-centric properties. There are about 303 people for every residential approval, which aligns with the metrics of a low-density area.
Projections indicate that Forest Hill will gain 598 residents by 2041 relative to the most recent quarterly estimates from Districts. The current pace of residential development suggests housing additions will easily satisfy this demand, maintaining favorable buying conditions and potentially accommodating growth exceeding current forecasts.
Districts' assessment of the Wagga Wagga LGA register has identified 31 substantial development applications lodged in Forest Hill over the past 5 years (29 in the last 12 months). Minor and ancillary works — single dwellings, outbuildings, signage and smaller residential developments — are excluded. Of these, 10 were approved (32%, or 91% of those decided), 1 was withdrawn (3%), while 3 are under assessment. The most common application types are childcare and industrial.
31 applications in the profile extract.
Recent Development Approvals by Type
ABS / Districts
| Metrici | Forest Hill (NSW) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Latest FY Approvals | 21 | 185,138 | 410 |
| Current FY-to-Date Approvals | 28 | 184,871 | 558 |
| –Detached House Approvals | 13/83.6% | 89,436/61.9% | 278/75.3% |
| –Attached/Other Approvals | 2/16.4% | 55,043/38.1% | 91/24.7% |
| Average Annual Approvals | 29 | 188,882 | 495 |
| Total 5-Year Approvals | 148 | 944,410 | 2,475 |
| Approvals per 1,000 People (2yr) | 3.3 | 6.5 | 3.8 |
| Approvals per 1,000 People (5yr) | 9.8 | 7.2 | 5 |
| Pop Growth per Approval (2yr) | 2 | 2.8 | 0.8 |
| Pop Growth per Approval (5yr) | 1.9 | 2.1 | 0.9 |
| Persons per Approval | 303 | 158 | 268 |
| Residential Value per Unit | 451 | 342 | 319 |
| Commercial Development Value | 714 | 105,080,908 | 225,306 |
| Development Drivers Ranking | 48 | 100 | 67 |
Project pipeline
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
Forest Hill has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally
Detail
Regional development is heavily shaped by changes to local infrastructure, key projects, and planning frameworks. In total, Districts has identified 4 projects that are expected to impact the local community. Important projects include Brunslea Park Estate, Riverina Redevelopment Program, Wagga Wagga Airport Infrastructure Upgrades, and Regional Express (Rex) Pilot Academy, with details provided below for the most significant developments.
Residential Development
ConstructionA masterplanned residential estate providing registered land lots for home building, emphasizing community belonging and rural living close to urban amenities in Forest Hill.
National Security
ConstructionThe Riverina Redevelopment Program includes comprehensive upgrading of military infrastructure and accommodations at three Defence locations: Albury Wodonga Military Area, RAAF Base Wagga, and Blamey Barracks Kapooka. The program involves new facilities, demolitions, and site-wide improvements including new Living-in Accommodation, training facilities, working accommodation, and infrastructure such as in-ground services, stormwater management, car parks, and roads. Construction commenced mid-2025 by the Riverina Redevelopment Joint Venture (CPB Contractors and Downer) for completion by mid-2033. Massive $800 million defence infrastructure upgrade including new headquarters building, living-in accommodation, training and welfare facilities, weapons range, ring road, car parks and upgraded facilities at both RAAF Base Wagga and Blamey Barracks Kapooka.
Source 1 for Riverina Redevelopment Program (opens in new tab)Source 2 for Riverina Redevelopment Program (opens in new tab)
Transport & Logistics
ConstructionMajor terminal expansion and infrastructure upgrades including new passenger terminal building, upgraded runway lighting and navigation systems, expanded car parking, aircraft apron improvements, and enhanced security facilities. The project supports increased passenger capacity and regional connectivity, with the airport serving over 225,000 passengers annually.
Source 1 for Wagga Wagga Airport Infrastructure Upgrades (opens in new tab)Source 2 for Wagga Wagga Airport Infrastructure Upgrades (opens in new tab)
Education & Training
CompletedA state-of-the-art pilot training academy established by Regional Express (Rex) to train the next generation of airline pilots. The campus includes academic facilities, flight training simulators, on-campus accommodation, and recreational facilities.
Source 1 for Regional Express (Rex) Pilot Academy (opens in new tab)Source 2 for Regional Express (Rex) Pilot Academy (opens in new tab)
Environmental & Disaster Management
ConstructionA $9 million initiative to revitalise the Lake Albert precinct through foreshore remediation, upgrades to stormwater infrastructure, replacement of the existing ageing weir structure at the northern end of the lake, and the construction of an approximately 6.4-kilometre pipeline from the Murrumbidgee River to maintain consistent lake water levels and improve overall water quality.
Source 1 for Lake Albert Pipeline and Precinct Renewal Project (opens in new tab)Source 2 for Lake Albert Pipeline and Precinct Renewal Project (opens in new tab)
8 projects tracked around Forest Hill (NSW), in the source's significance order. Stages and reference links are as published by the source.
On the market now
Data to 17 Jul 2026$949,000
House · 4 bed · 1,101m² land
Listed 28 Aug 2026
$719,000
House · 3 bed · 690m² land
Listed 29 June 2026
$239,000
Land · 0 bed · 650m² land
Listed 23 July 2024
$398,000
Land For Sale · 0 bed · 1,354m² land
Listed 18 Feb 2026
$939,000
House For Sale · 4 bed · 738m² land
Listed 12 May 2026
$529,000
House For Sale · 4 bed
Listed 2 July 2026
$799,000
House For Sale · 4 bed · 614m² land
Listed 19 Aug 2026
From indexed listing events. Districts records what the listing publishes — asks and attributes are the agent's, not a valuation.
Properties
Data to 17 Jul 2026Source: Districts property records · 29 in 2026 · 176 recorded sales in total
Other indexed properties in Forest Hill with no sale record in Districts yet.
Nearby
Data to 17 Jul 2026| Suburb | Distance | People | Median | Growth | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Hill | — | 3,227 | — | — | — |
| Lake Albert (NSW) | 7.5 km | 6,325 | — | — | — |
| Kooringal (NSW) | 7.9 km | 7,345 | — | — | — |
| Tatton | 9.3 km | 2,640 | — | — | — |
| Turvey Park | 9.6 km | 3,670 | — | — | — |
| Mount Austin | 10.0 km | 4,121 | — | — | — |
| Tolland | 10.1 km | 3,577 | — | — | — |
| Wagga Wagga | 10.1 km | 7,187 | — | — | — |
| Bourkelands | 10.3 km | 3,139 | — | — | — |
| Springvale (NSW) | 11.8 km | 1,882 | — | — | — |
| Lloyd | 11.8 km | 1,672 | — | — | — |
| Glenfield Park | 11.9 km | 5,552 | — | — | — |
| Ashmont | 12.2 km | 3,775 | — | — | — |
| Boorooma | 12.7 km | 1,883 | — | — | — |
| Estella | 13.3 km | 2,725 | — | — | — |
| Gobbagombalin | 14.4 km | 2,757 | — | — | — |
| Junee | 33.6 km | 5,099 | — | — | — |
| Coolamon | 45.0 km | 2,935 | — | — | — |
| Gundagai | 59.5 km | 1,741 | — | — | — |
| Holbrook | 63.4 km | 1,774 | — | — | — |
| Culcairn | 68.8 km | 1,588 | — | — | — |
| Tumut | 71.1 km | 6,719 | — | — | — |
| Cootamundra | 77.0 km | 6,906 | — | — | — |
Market columns show — where a nearby suburb has not been ingested yet.
Very low unemployment
Notable proportion 15 to 24yo
Strong mortgage holder representation
Elevated public administration employment base
Above-average renting population
Pronounced proportion 0 to 4yo
Rapid growth area - recent expansion in the top 10% of locations compared nationally
Development approval activity in recent years well below historic averages
One of the lowest unemployment rates in the country
Population Growth
8.3
Density
2.8
Development Activity
4.8
Employment Drivers
9.0
Infrastructure Drivers
8.8
Education
3.3
Amenities
5.2
Transport & Access
Demographics
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
Forest Hill lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to Districts analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends
Detail
Following an examination of ABS demographic data updates for the wider region, alongside newly confirmed address points from Districts following the Census, the suburb of Forest Hill (NSW) has a projected population of approximately 3,227 in May 2026. This represents an addition of 146 residents (4.7%) from the 2021 Census, which documented 3,081 individuals. The estimate is derived from a resident headcount of 3,192, calculated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP data release, combined with an additional 109 validated new addresses confirmed since the Census. With this population level, the density stands at 93 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density living and scope for future expansion. The 4.7% rate of growth recorded since the 2021 census outpaced the broader SA4 region (2.2%) as well as the SA3 area, establishing it as a local growth frontrunner. Natural increase was the primary contributor, accounting for roughly of the total demographic expansion in recent times, though positive gains were also recorded across interstate and overseas migration pathways.
Employment
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
Employment conditions in Forest Hill rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally
Detail
The local labor pool is evenly split between professional and manual roles, with a solid footprint in key service industries, and an unemployment rate standing at only 1.5%, based on local data aggregated by Districts. In March 2026, there were 1,856 employed residents, with the unemployment rate tracking 2.6% below the Regional NSW average of 4.1%, while workforce participation reached 75.9%, far exceeding the Regional NSW mark of 60.6%. Census data indicates that a minor 5.6% of the workforce worked from their homes, although this figure reflects the influence of pandemic-related lock-downs.
The major employment sectors for residents are public administration & safety, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The region exhibits a notable concentration in public administration & safety, where the employment proportion is times the regional average. In contrast, education & training is underrepresented, accounting for of jobs compared to the regional figure of . The relationship between the Census working population and resident population suggests that local employment options within the immediate area are limited.
Income
Data to 17 Jul 20262021 CensusDistricts view
Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to Districts analysis
Detail
Taxpayer statistics from the ATO compiled by Districts for financial year 2023 place the local income profile close to the national average. The median income among local taxpayers is $57,154, while the average is $67,222, compared to Regional NSW benchmarks of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 correspond to roughly $63,052 for median income and $74,159 for average income. The 2021 Census lists individual earnings at the 71st percentile ($932 per week) and household income at the 52nd percentile. The income distribution shows that 42.5% of residents (1,371 people) are situated in the $1,500 - weekly band, compared to in the metropolitan region. Discretionary income remaining after housing costs stands at .
Housing stock
Data to 17 Jul 20262021 CensusDistricts view
Forest Hill is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
Detail
According to the last Census, residential property types in the area were made up of 89.9% detached houses and 10.1% alternative formats like townhouses and apartments, compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other options across Regional NSW. Home ownership rates lagged the Regional NSW average, standing at 18.1%, with the remaining properties occupied by mortgage holders (46.0%) or renters (35.9%). The median monthly payment for home loans was $1,300, which is below the Regional NSW average of $1,733, while the median weekly rental cost was $310, compared to $330 regionally. On a national level, mortgage costs are significantly below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also much lower than the national median of $375.
Households
Data to 17 Jul 20262021 CensusDistricts view
Forest Hill features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 77.7%, which includes couples with children at 39.6%, couples without children at 22.6%, and single parent households at 14.9%. Non-family households account for 22.3% of the total, with lone person households representing 19.3% and group living situations at 1.8%. The median household occupancy is 2.8 people, which is higher than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Household Types (Census)
ABS / Districts
Education
Data to 17 Jul 20262021 CensusDistricts view
Educational outcomes in Forest Hill fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment
Detail
The region shows lower rates of higher education, with university graduation levels at 15.0%, which is well below the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents a clear focus area for future educational programs. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.3%, with postgraduate degrees at 2.2% and graduate diplomas at 1.5%. Vocational and technical qualifications are highly prevalent, with 45.9% of residents aged 15+ holding a trade certificate or diploma, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.4%) and certificates (34.5%).
A significant proportion of the population is engaged in study, with of residents enrolled in an educational institution. This population includes attending primary schools, in secondary schools, and enrolled in tertiary courses.
Amenities
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
Amenity provision was found to be in line with the typical area assessed nationally by Districts, based on counts and proximity analysis
Supermarket
5.5km · score 49
Child Care
1.1km · score 68
GP
5.2km · score 48
Government Services
64km · score 36
Post Office
0km · score 0
Getting around
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Detail
Local transit analysis shows 32 public transport stops in operation, consisting of bus services. These locations are connected by 13 routes, providing a combined total of 307 passenger trips each week. Transit access is rated as excellent, with the average distance to a stop being 158 meters. Given the residential nature of the area, most workers travel outside the suburb, with private cars being the primary mode of travel at 68%, followed by walking at 26%. Households own an average of 1.6 vehicles. A low 5.6% of employed residents worked from home during the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.
Services run at an average frequency of 43 trips per day across the network, which translates to about weekly services at each individual stop.
Healthcare
Data to 17 Jul 2026Data to 2024Districts view
Health performance in Forest Hill is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts
Detail
Health indicators point to some notable local challenges, based on mortality and chronic illness data evaluated by Districts across different age cohorts, while private health insurance rates are slightly above the SA2 average, covering approximately 54% of the population, or about 1,727 individuals.
Asthma and mental health conditions are the most prevalent issues, affecting 10.9% and 9.3% of the population respectively, although 71.4% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Health profiles for working-age residents are generally typical. Residents aged 65 and over represent 7.2% of the population ( people), which is lower than the Regional NSW share of . Senior citizens face some health challenges, with regional health rankings matching general population patterns.
Ancestry & language
Data to 17 Jul 20262021 CensusDistricts view
Forest Hill ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics are below average, with citizenship at 86.4%, Australian-born residents at 88.2%, and monolingual English speakers at 89.9%. Christianity is the largest religious group, representing 49.1% of the population. The most distinct variance is in the Other category, which accounts for 1.0% of the population, compared to 0.8% across Regional NSW.
Looking at ancestral origins, the main groups represented are Australian at 32.0%, English at 27.6%, and Scottish at 7.0%. There are also differences in the concentration of other backgrounds, with Australian Aboriginal residents making up of the population compared to across the region, Welsh ancestry at compared to , and South Australian ancestry at compared to .
Age structure
Data to 17 Jul 20262021 CensusDistricts view
Forest Hill hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide
Detail
The median age of 25 years is much younger than the Regional NSW average of 43 and the national average of 38. Compared to Regional NSW, there is a high concentration of young adults aged 15 - 24 (25.1%) and a smaller share of seniors aged 65 - 74 (4.5%). The proportion of residents aged 15 - 24 is also well above the national figure of 12.7%. Since 2021, children aged 5 to 14 have increased from 14.2% to 15.2% of the population. In contrast, the 15 to 24 age bracket fell from 27.5% to 25.1% and those aged to decreased from to . Demographic models suggest the age distribution will shift by with the to age group projected to grow by people () from to .
Child care
Data to 17 Jul 2026Districts view
Forest Hill (NSW) was found to possess below average child care supply broadly for children under 5, with long day care supply appearing constrained, while out of school hours care provision for school age children was also found to be constrained.
Detail
Forest Hill currently has an estimated 238 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 141 children aged 0-2 and 93 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 6% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 19% by 2041 (to approximately 283 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 378. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 13.1 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally.
4.3
Income
4.8
Age
0.0
Household Composition
7.9
Housing
5.6
Cultural Diversity
3.1
Health
1.8
Housing Cost
2.0
Rate Sensitivity
0.0
Sales Activity
8.5
Districts incorporates SA2 level projections created by the ABS and Geoscience Australia, which were published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline year. For any SA2 localities missing from this dataset, projections compiled by the NSW State Government in 2022 with a 2021 base year are substituted. Age-bracket growth dynamics from these models are also applied to all locations for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Looking at upcoming demographic changes, the suburb of Forest Hill (NSW) is expected to grow faster than the median rate for regional areas nationwide, with projections showing a gain of 633 persons by 2041 using combined SA2 projections, representing an overall increase of 18.5% across the 16 years.
Annual Population Growth Rates (CAGR) by Period
ABS / Districts
| Metrici | Forest Hill (NSW) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Latest Population Est. | 3,227 | 2,969,324 | 27,798,796 |
| Growth Since Census | 4.7% | 4.9% | 9.3% |
| Population 2021 Census | 3,081 | 2,829,637 | 25,422,788 |
| Natural Increase | 56.0% | 14.0% | 20.0% |
| Overseas Migration | 13.0% | 58.0% | 80.0% |
| Interstate Migration | 31.0% | 28.0% | 0.0% |
| Population Forecast Growth (2041) | 18.5% | 7.6% | 19.8% |
| Persons per Square Kilometer | 93 | 3 | 3 |
Analysis of SALM and ABS statistics compiled from regional datasets shows that over the 12-month period, the local labor force contracted by 3.8% and total employment fell by 3.6%, leading to a decrease in the unemployment rate of 0.2 percentage points. This differed from the wider Regional NSW trend, where employment shrank by 0.9%, the labor force dropped by 0.4%, and the unemployment rate increased by 0.5 percentage points. Future employment trends can be examined via national forecast data from Jobs and Skills Australia released in May-25. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Nationally, employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with wide variation across sectors. Adjusting these national rates to match the local industry profile suggests that employment among residents will grow by 5.4% over five years and 11.8% over ten years, representing a basic weighted calculation for demonstration purposes that excludes local population growth dynamics.
Employment Change (Persons)
DEWR / ABS / Districts
| Metrici | Forest Hill (NSW) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Employment | 1,856 | 14,651,372 | 48,738 |
| –Public Administration & Safety | 38.2% | 6.9% | 9.4% |
| –Health Care & Social Assistance | 11.8% | 15.2% | 17.1% |
| –Retail Trade | 8.8% | 9.5% | 9.6% |
| Labour Force | 1,885 | 15,298,546 | 50,438 |
| Participation Rate | 75.9% | 67.2% | 61.7% |
| Working from Home | 5.6% | 23.9% | 10.5% |
| Unemployment | 1.5% | 4.2% | 3.4% |
| 1Yr Emp. Growth | -3.6% | 1.5% | -3.1% |
| 5Yr Emp. Growth Forecast | 5.4% | 6.5% | 6.1% |
| Employment Drivers Ranking | 90 | 100 | 44 |
Latest Annual Income Estimate
ATO / ABS / Districts
| Metrici | Forest Hill (NSW) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Income Est. | 63,052 | 63,034 | 59,950 |
| Average Annual Income Est. | 74,159 | 81,013 | 71,814 |
| ATO Median Taxable Income | 57,154 | 57,137 | 54,342 |
| ATO Average Taxable Income | 67,222 | 73,435 | 65,096 |
| Median Household Income | 1,788 | 1,746 | 1,486 |
| –$0 to 399 | 30 (3.4%) | 638,312 (6.3%) | 2,405 (6.4%) |
| –$400 to 799 | 109 (12.5%) | 1,671,771 (16.5%) | 7,515 (20.0%) |
| –$800 to 1,499 | 229 (26.3%) | 2,158,104 (21.3%) | 9,019 (24.0%) |
| –$1,500 to 2,999 | 370 (42.5%) | 3,201,695 (31.6%) | 12,062 (32.1%) |
| –$3,000 to 3,999 | 94 (10.8%) | 1,114,514 (11.0%) | 3,607 (9.6%) |
| –$4,000+ | 38 (4.4%) | 1,357,681 (13.4%) | 2,969 (7.9%) |
| Median Family Income | 2,031 | 2,120 | 1,928 |
| –$0 to 399 | 12 (1.8%) | 236,192 (3.3%) | 694 (2.7%) |
| –$400 to 799 | 70 (10.4%) | 758,676 (10.6%) | 3,185 (12.4%) |
| –$800 to 1,499 | 149 (22.0%) | 1,474,408 (20.6%) | 5,960 (23.2%) |
| –$1,500 to 2,999 | 322 (47.6%) | 2,562,321 (35.8%) | 9,994 (38.9%) |
| –$3,000 to 3,999 | 92 (13.6%) | 973,396 (13.6%) | 3,263 (12.7%) |
| –$4,000+ | 31 (4.6%) | 1,145,171 (16.0%) | 2,569 (10.0%) |
| Median Personal Income | 932 | 805 | 781 |
| –$0 to 399 | 581 (18.0%) | 7,303,780 (26.3%) | 24,936 (24.5%) |
| –$400 to 799 | 665 (20.6%) | 6,526,191 (23.5%) | 26,972 (26.5%) |
| –$800 to 1,499 | 1,399 (43.4%) | 7,137,153 (25.7%) | 29,313 (28.8%) |
| –$1,500 to 2,999 | 556 (17.2%) | 5,359,808 (19.3%) | 17,405 (17.1%) |
| –$3,000 to 3,499 | 16 (0.5%) | 527,649 (1.9%) | 1,221 (1.2%) |
| –$3,500+ | 10 (0.3%) | 944,215 (3.4%) | 1,934 (1.9%) |
| –Low Income (<$800/wk) | 15.9% | 22.8% | 26.4% |
| –High Income (>$3,000/wk) | 15.2% | 24.4% | 17.5% |
| Largest Income Group | $1,500 - 2,999 | $1,500 - 2,999 | $1,500 - 2,999 |
| Household Disposable Income | 6,667 | 6,376 | 5,594 |
| SEIFA Score | 3.4 | 5.6 | 4.4 |
Forest Hill at a glance
Source: ABS 2021 Census
Rents today
$530/wk
DFFH median rent
Period ending Mar 2026
+8.2%
DFFH rent movement, 1 yr
Rents are rising
The DFFH median weekly rent rose 8.2% year on year to $530/wk (Period ending Mar 2026).
The 2021 Census recorded a median rent of $310/wk — an older point-in-time figure, kept separate from current medians.
RTBA rental bond lodgements are not in this extract. Rents above are report medians, not bond data.
Housing Tenure (Census)
ABS / Districts
| Metrici | Forest Hill (NSW) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Dwellings (Census) | 831 | 9,275,218 | 36,612 |
| –Owned Outright | 18.1% | 32.1% | 36.3% |
| –Owned with Mortgage | 46.0% | 36.2% | 33.5% |
| –Rented | 35.9% | 31.7% | 30.2% |
| –Detached Houses | 89.9% | 72.5% | 88.4% |
| –Semi-Detached | 1.0% | 12.6% | 4.4% |
| –Apartments | 7.9% | 14.3% | 6.8% |
| –Other Dwellings | 1.2% | 0.6% | 0.5% |
| –Median Monthly Mortgage | 1,300 | 1,863 | 1,430 |
| –Median Weekly Rent | 310 | 375 | 280 |
| –$0-149/wk | 1.4% | 7.3% | 9.9% |
| –$150-349/wk | 64.8% | 33.4% | 63.7% |
| –$350-649/wk | 33.8% | 50.9% | 25.9% |
| –$650-949/wk | 0.0% | 6.6% | 0.3% |
| –>$950/wk | 0.0% | 1.8% | 0.2% |
| –Aggregate Housing Cost | 1,080 | 1,189 | 845 |
| –Mortgage / Income | 16.8% | 24.6% | 22.2% |
| –Rent / Income | 17.3% | 21.5% | 18.8% |
| –Persons per Bedroom | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.7 |
| Metrici | Forest Hill (NSW) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Household Est. | 870 | 10,142,077 | 37,577 |
| Median Household Size | 2.8 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Total Households (Census) | 831 | 9,275,217 | 36,613 |
| –Lone Person Households | 19.3% | 25.6% | 28.4% |
| –Group Households | 1.8% | 3.9% | 3.3% |
| –Other Households | 1.2% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| –Family Households | 77.7% | 70.5% | 68.3% |
| –Couple with Children | 39.6% | 31.4% | 27.9% |
| –Couple No Children | 22.6% | 26.8% | 28.2% |
| –One Parent Family | 14.9% | 11.1% | 11.2% |
| –Avg Children per Family | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.9 |
| Currently Married | 33.7% | 46.5% | 46.2% |
| Never Married | 54.7% | 36.5% | 36.1% |
Qualification Attainment by Type - Residents Aged 15+ (Census)
ABS / Districts
| Metrici | Forest Hill (NSW) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| University Qualifications | 15.0% | 30.4% | 20.4% |
| –Bachelor Degree | 11.3% | 20.0% | 14.4% |
| –Postgraduate Degree | 2.2% | 7.6% | 3.7% |
| –Advanced Diploma | 11.4% | 10.8% | 9.5% |
| –Certificate | 34.5% | 22.0% | 29.1% |
| No Tertiary Qualifications | 39.1% | 36.8% | 41.1% |
| Number of Schools | 1 | 11,054 | 77 |
| Total School Attendance | 150 | 4,176,099 | 15,726 |
| ICSEA Score | 944 | 1,001 | 962 |
| Education Drivers Ranking | 33 | 100 | 34 |
Schools detail
| # | School name | Type | Places | ICSEA | Distance (km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forest Hill Public School | Primary | 150 | 944 | 0.81 |
Showing 1 to 1 of 1 results
Parcel Locker
0km · score 0
Dentist
8.4km · score 38
Hospital
29km · score 37
Shopping Centre
8.9km · score 60
Banks
9.4km · score 36
Pharmacy
7.8km · score 32
Fitness Centre
9.3km · score 56
Schools
5.0km · score 38
Transport Servicing
GTFS / Districts
| Metrici | Forest Hill (NSW) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport Stops | 32 | 171,981 | 2,330 |
| Routes | 13 | 12,966 | 269 |
| Weekly Trips | 307 | 1,140,068 | 8,128 |
| Avg Dist. Between Stops (m) | 135 | 235 | 533 |
| Avg Dist. to Local Pop. (m) | 158 | 7,586 | 227 |
| Population per Stop | 103 | 161 | 44 |
| Population per Trip | 10.7 | 24.3 | 12.6 |
| Population per Route | 253 | 2,136 | 382 |
| Public Transport Access Ranking | 43 | 100 | 43 |
| Vehicles per Dwelling | 1.6 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Work from Home | 5.6% | 23.9% | 10.5% |
| Single Mode Commute | 93.8% | 73.8% | 88.7% |
| Two Mode | 0.6% | 1.9% | 0.8% |
| Three+ Mode | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.1% |
| –Car | 68.5% | 84.1% | 91.5% |
| –Train | 0.0% | 4.9% | 0.1% |
| –Bus | 0.9% | 3.6% | 0.9% |
| –Walk | 25.6% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| –Cycle | 0.4% | 1.0% | 0.4% |
| –Ferry | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| –Tram/Light Rail | 0.0% | 0.5% | 0.0% |
| –Other | 3.5% | 1.1% | 1.0% |
Private Health Insurance Coverage
ATO / Districts
| Metrici | Forest Hill (NSW) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Health Cover Rate | 53.5% | 55.7% | 51.5% |
| Need for Assistance | 4.0% | 5.8% | 6.3% |
| Zero L/T Health Conditions | 71.4% | 69.8% | 64.5% |
| One Long Term Condition | 19.8% | 20.5% | 22.9% |
| Two Long Term Conditions | 6.2% | 6.4% | 8.0% |
| 3+ Long Term Conditions | 2.5% | 3.3% | 4.6% |
| –Arthritis | 5.5% | 7.7% | 9.3% |
| –Asthma | 10.9% | 7.4% | 9.8% |
| –Cancer | 1.8% | 2.6% | 3.0% |
| –Dementia / Alzheimers | 0.2% | 0.7% | 0.8% |
| –Diabetes | 3.2% | 4.3% | 4.6% |
| –Heart Disease | 1.7% | 3.6% | 3.8% |
| –Kidney Disease | 0.6% | 0.8% | 1.1% |
| –Lung Condition | 1.3% | 1.6% | 2.2% |
| –Mental Health Issue | 9.3% | 8.0% | 8.9% |
| –Stroke | 0.5% | 0.8% | 1.0% |
| –Other Condition | 6.5% | 7.3% | 6.8% |
Place of Birth (Census)
ABS / Districts
| Metrici | Forest Hill (NSW) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born Overseas | 11.8% | 29.3% | 10.4% |
| Born in Australia | 88.2% | 70.7% | 89.6% |
| Australian Citizens | 86.4% | 83.8% | 88.4% |
| Speak English Only | 89.9% | 76.4% | 92.3% |
| Speak Other Language | 10.1% | 23.6% | 7.7% |
| Indigenous Population | 6.2% | 2.2% | 4.5% |
| Largest Ethnic Group | Australian | English | Australian |
| Main Religion | Christianity | Christianity | Christianity |
| –Buddhism | 1.2% | 2.6% | 0.6% |
| –Christianity | 49.1% | 47.5% | 64.3% |
| –Hinduism | 2.2% | 2.9% | 0.9% |
| –Islam | 0.4% | 3.5% | 0.8% |
| –Judaism | 0.0% | 0.4% | 0.0% |
| –Other | 1.0% | 1.4% | 1.5% |
| –No Religion | 46.1% | 41.6% | 32.0% |
Age Distribution
ABS / Geoscience Australia / State Govts / Districts
| Metrici | Forest Hill (NSW) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Age | 25 | 38 | 38 |
| Largest Age Group | 15 to 24 | 25 to 34 | 25 to 34 |
| Children (0-14) | 22.6% | 17.5% | 19.2% |
| Working Age (15-64) | 70.5% | 64.7% | 60.6% |
| Seniors (65+) | 7.2% | 17.8% | 20.2% |
| Age Distribution Variance | 58.0% | 16.0% | 12.0% |
| Dependency Ratio | 42.0% | 55.0% | 65.0% |
| Fastest Growing Age Group | 75 to 84 | 85+ | 85+ |
Forest Hill contains 1 Long Day Care centre (80 places), 1 preschool/kindergarten facility (20 places) and 1 OSHC facility (30 places). Combined service provision across long day care and preschool/kindergarten services, and the approximate 238 children in the cohort, sees a ratio of children per place of 2.4 - placing the area below the national average for supply per child. Looking at long day care specifically against the under-5 population, the ratio is 2.9 children per place. Further breakdowns by age, to help in identifying the most in-need services, show moderate LDC provision across the infant and toddler cohort (<3yo) with 80 places across 1 facility serving 141 children while preschool supply is moderate with 1 facility providing 20 places (4.7 children aged 3-4 per place compared to the Regional NSW average of 4.4). With projected population growth of 18.5% between now and 2041, and 18.9% in the under 5 age group in particular, 20 new places will be needed to maintain today's ratios. As well as this projected growth, other drivers of note in the area are high female labour force participation of 68.2%, as well as strong employment performance.
In assessing child care markets local school supply is a particularly important factor, given school-run convenience, and enrolment vs child care place analysis can provide useful insight into capacity both for parents seeking child care options and child care operators assessing opportunities in an area. The catchment sees a level of school enrolment relative to population of 4.6 per 100 residents with 150 enrolments across primary and secondary institutions. A lower-than-typical rate which suggests pressure might be taken off local services somewhat by school hubs in nearby areas. As expected, the level of school places per child care place (LDC+PSK) is also lower than average. Proximity analysis saw distances of local residents to their nearest child care centre being longer than typical nationally. Another finding worth noting is the low level of commercial activity in the area and assessment of local working populations which suggest many of the local population commute elsewhere for work with nearby services potentially taking some pressure off local child care centres.
5 school catchments intersect Forest Hill (note; school catchment data provided for public schools only), in which a combined 3,768 children aged under 5 reside, served by 2,380 LDC and preschool places. The overall demand-to-supply ratio across these catchments is 1.6 children per place, with limited variance in this ratio. Meanwhile, the discrepancy in this ratio between Forest Hill and the intersecting school catchments highlights the need for a catchment based approach for specific site assessments.
Children per LDC Place by Geographic Level
ACECQA / ABS / GNAF / Geoscience Australia / State Govts / Districts