Forestville (NSW)

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Based on the assessment of ABS demographic adjustments for the surrounding region, combined with recent address records validated by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Forestville (NSW) has a projected population of approximately 8,795 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 136 residents (1.6%) from the 2021 Census, which registered 8,659 individuals. The update is derived from a resident count of 8,755, calculated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP release alongside 24 validated new addresses added since the Census. This population size corresponds to a density of 1,903 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical ratio across locations nationwide monitored by Districts. The 1.6% post-census growth rate for the suburb of Forestville (NSW) trails the broader SA3 region (3.7%) by 2.1 percentage points, indicating competitive local development. Net arrivals from abroad served as the primary source of population growth, representing practically the sole contributor to resident gains in recent times.

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Forestville has a highly qualified labor force with a strong concentration of professionals, an unemployment rate sitting at 2.9%, and an estimated employment expansion of 0.8% over the prior year, according to regional statistics aggregated by Districts. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 4,493, while the jobless rate was 1.2% lower than the 4.1% recorded across Greater Sydney, and the labor participation rate reached 65.2%, slightly below the Greater Sydney average of 69.1%. Census data indicates that a substantial 54.3% of residents performed their jobs from home, although this figure was likely influenced by pandemic containment measures.

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Taxpayer statistics for postcode areas compiled by Districts for the 2023 financial year show that Forestville has a median taxpayer income of $58,481 and an average income of $98,558. This places the area in the highest bracket nationwide, compared to a median of $60,817 and an average of $83,003 in Greater Sydney. Accounting for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year, current estimates as of March 2026 stand at roughly $64,516 for the median and $108,729 for the average. In the 2021 Census, weekly household earnings were exceptionally high, ranking in the 90th percentile at $2,507. The largest earnings group comprises 32.1% of residents (2,823 people) who make $4000+ weekly, differing from the wider metropolitan region where the - bracket is the most common at . The suburb exhibits notable wealth, with of households earning in excess of weekly, which helps sustain high-end retail and commercial services. Local households allocate of their earnings to cover high housing costs, yet robust incomes ensure that disposable funds remain in the th percentile, while the SEIFA index ranks the area in the th decile for income.

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According to the latest Census, the housing mix in Forestville consisted of 80.4% detached houses and 19.6% other housing types, such as townhouses, units, or alternative dwellings, compared to 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings across metropolitan Sydney. Home ownership rates in Forestville reached 41.2%, which is significantly higher than the metropolitan Sydney average, with the remaining residences being held under mortgages (38.3%) or rented (20.5%). The median monthly home loan payment in the suburb was $3,250, well above the metropolitan Sydney average of $2,427, while the median weekly rent was $650, compared to the metropolitan average of $470. On a national level, mortgage costs in Forestville are considerably higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are notably higher than the national median of $375.

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Family units constitute the majority of households at 78.1%, consisting of couples with children at 46.2%, couples without children at 21.4%, and single-parent households at 9.6%. Non-family households account for the remaining 21.9%, with single-person households at 21.0% and group housing making up 1.1%. The median household size stands at 2.9 individuals, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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Residents in Forestville display academic qualification levels that significantly exceed broader averages, with 43.2% of individuals aged 15+ holding university degrees, compared to 30.4% across the country and 32.2% throughout NSW. This high level of education positions the local workforce well for knowledge-intensive industries. Undergraduate degrees are the most common at 28.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 11.0% and graduate diplomas at 3.6%. Vocational and technical credentials are also well represented, with 25.8% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, including advanced diplomas at 11.2% and certificates at 14.6%.

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Analysis of the local transit network shows 41 active public transport stops operating in Forestville, which are serviced by a variety of buses. These stops accommodate 53 distinct routes, providing a combined total of 3,802 weekly passenger journeys. Transit accessibility is rated highly, with residents living an average of 298 meters from their nearest stop. Because the neighborhood is primarily residential, the majority of workers commute to outer areas, and private vehicles remain the primary transit mode at 85%, while buses carry 7% of commuters. Household vehicle ownership stands at an average of 1.4 cars per home, which is higher than the regional average. A high proportion of residents, representing 54.3%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect the impact of pandemic restrictions.

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Evaluation of health indicators reveals positive outcomes throughout Forestville, according to Districts analyses of mortality and long-term health issues, with both youth and older age brackets showing a low incidence of widespread medical conditions. Additionally, private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, with approximately 66% of the population (5,785 people) holding policies, compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

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Forestville demonstrates higher cultural diversity than most comparable suburban areas, with 33.2% of the population born outside Australia and 25.4% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 54.1% of the community. The most distinct religious overrepresentation is seen in Judaism, which accounts for 0.8% of the local population, matching the 0.8% share across Greater Sydney.

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The median age of 43 years in Forestville is higher than the Greater Sydney average of 37 and the national average of 38. The local age distribution features a prominent share of children aged 5 - 14 years (15.1%), while young adults in the 25 - 34 age bracket make up a smaller proportion (6.1%) than in Greater Sydney. Since 2021, the cohort aged 15 to 24 has expanded from 12.2% to 15.9% of the population, whereas the group aged 0 to 4 has decreased from 4.9% to 3.9%. Looking toward 2041, demographic projections indicate notable changes in the age structure of the suburb of Forestville (NSW). The cohort aged 65 to 74 is expected to grow steadily, rising by individuals () from to . Crucially, the combined cohorts aged and over will account for of the total population growth, highlighting the aging profile of the community. In contrast, the cohorts aged to and to are projected to experience population decreases.

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Forestville currently has an estimated 343 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 198 children aged 0-2 and 132 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 19% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 8% by 2041 (to approximately 314 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,099. Birth rates in the area have averaged 4.7 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.