Frenchs Forest (NSW)

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Utilising ABS population revisions for the surrounding region alongside new addresses validated by Districts since the Census, the population of the suburb of Frenchs Forest is estimated to be approximately 14,381 as of May 2026. This indicates an expansion of 114 people (0.8%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 14,267 people. This shift is calculated from a resident population of 14,323, estimated by Districts using the latest ERP data release from the ABS (June 2025) plus an extra 36 validated new addresses since the Census date. Such a population size results in a density ratio of 1,643 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the average across national locations evaluated by Districts. The 0.8% growth since the census for the suburb of Frenchs Forest is within 2.9 percentage points of the SA3 area (3.7%), showing competitive growth indicators. Population gains for the area were mostly driven by overseas migration, which made up approximately 73.0% of total population increases during recent periods.

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Frenchs Forest has a highly educated workforce, with the technology sector being notably well represented, an unemployment rate of only 2.9%, and relatively stable employment figures over the past year, according to Districts' aggregation of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 7,789 residents are employed, with the unemployment rate sitting at 1.2% below the Greater Sydney rate of 4.1%, and workforce participation matching Greater Sydney's rate of 69.1%. Based on Census replies, a high 52.0% of residents worked from home, though the influence of Covid-19 lockdown measures should be kept in mind.

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The latest postcode level ATO statistics from Districts for financial year 2023 reveal that incomes in the suburb of Frenchs Forest rank among the highest in Australia, with the median calculated at $62,963 and the average income reaching $94,807. This compares to Greater Sydney's figures of a median income of $60,817 and an average income of $83,003. Applying a Wage Price Index growth rate of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $69,461 (median) and $104,591 (average) as of March 2026. Census data shows household incomes rank exceptionally at the 97th percentile ($3,109 weekly). The earnings distribution reveals the largest group consists of 37.5% earning $4000+ weekly (5,392 residents), contrasting with the wider region where the - bracket is the largest at . Frenchs Forest shows significant affluence, with earning over per week, which supports premium retail and service businesses. High housing costs account for of income, yet strong earnings keep disposable income at the th percentile, and the area's SEIFA income ranking is in the th decile.

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The dwelling structure in Frenchs Forest, as measured at the latest Census, consisted of 92.6% houses and 7.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to the Sydney metro average of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership in Frenchs Forest was far ahead of the Sydney metro average, standing at 37.1%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (47.1%) or rented (15.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was well above the Sydney metro average at $3,467, while the median weekly rent was recorded at $800, compared to Sydney metro's figures of $2,427 and $470. Nationwide, Frenchs Forest's mortgage payments are significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially above the national figure of $375.

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Family households make up the vast majority of households at 86.4%, consisting of 54.3% couples with children, 22.6% couples without children, and 8.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 13.6%, with lone person households at 12.3% and group households representing 1.5% of the total. The median household size of 3.2 people is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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The educational profile of the area is highly distinctive within the region, with university qualification rates (40.1% of residents aged 15+) exceeding the Australian average of 30.4% and the NSW average of 32.2%, demonstrating the community's focus on higher education. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 27.3%, followed by postgraduate degrees (9.5%) and graduate diplomas (3.3%). Trade and technical qualifications are also common, with 29.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (11.9%) and certificates (17.6%).

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Public transport analysis shows 118 active transport stops operating within Frenchs Forest, consisting of a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 107 individual routes, which combined provide 6,146 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically situated 160 meters from their nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward - the car remains the dominant mode of travel at 86%, with 6% using buses. Vehicle ownership averages 1.8 per dwelling, which is above the regional average. A high 52.0% of residents work from home (2021 Census; potentially reflecting COVID-19 conditions).

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Health outcomes data shows outstanding results across Frenchs Forest, based on Districts' evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence, with a very low occurrence of common health issues across all age brackets, and the level of private health insurance is exceptionally high at approximately 64% of the total population (9,248 people). This compares to 59.9% across Greater Sydney, and a national average of 55.7%.

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Frenchs Forest is more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 17.8% of its population speaking a non-English language at home and 29.9% born overseas. The primary religion in Frenchs Forest is Christianity, accounting for 54.0% of residents. However, the most notable overrepresentation is in Judaism, which makes up 0.3% of the population, compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney.

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With a median age of 40, Frenchs Forest is slightly older than the Greater Sydney figure of 37 and marginally older than Australia's 38 years. Relative to the Greater Sydney average, the 45 - 54 age bracket is notably over-represented (16.2% locally), while 25 - 34 year-olds are under-represented (7.1%). Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age group has expanded from 13.2% to 16.1% of the population, while the 85+ cohort grew from 1.8% to 3.1%. In contrast, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 16.5% to 14.6% and the 65 to 74 group fell from to . Demographic modeling indicates Frenchs Forest's age profile will change significantly by . The + age group is projected to rise sharply, increasing by people () from to . Notably, the combined + age groups will account for of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the to and to cohorts are expected to experience population declines.

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Frenchs Forest currently has an estimated 704 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 386 children aged 0-2 and 257 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 13% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 6% by 2041 (to approximately 665 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,688. Birth rates in the area have averaged 7.5 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.