Forbes NSW

Postcode 2871 · Forbes LGA

Forbes is a mid-sized suburb in New South Wales within the Forbes local government area (postcode 2871). With a population of 8,157, the suburb has an established demographic with a median age of 42. Households earn a median income of $63K per year, with an average household size of 2.3 people. The most common occupations are professionals, managers, technicians & trades. The top ancestries reported are Australian, English, Aboriginal Australian.

The median house price in Forbes is $330,000, having dropped significantly 25% over the past year. Units have a median price of $400,000 (-65.6% YoY). The current median weekly rent is $400. This gives a gross rental yield of approximately 6.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,257.

Forbes is served by 5 schools, including 3 primary, 2 secondary. The average ICSEA score is 917, which is below the national average of 1,000. Public transport access includes 1 rail station, 12 ferry wharfves, 520 bus stops. Healthcare facilities include 1 public hospital. The crime rate in the Forbes LGA is moderate at 6,918 incidents per 100,000 population.

From an investment perspective, Forbes offers a gross rental yield of 6.3%, rated as high yield. Property prices sit below the state median ($330K/$1.5M), suggesting a potential value opportunity. The price-to-income ratio of 5.2x is considered affordable. House prices have moved -25.0% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rental Yield6.3% High Yield
Price vs State$330K/$1.5M Below Median
Affordability5.2x Affordable
Price Momentum-25.0% Falling
INCOME (ATO 2022-23)
Median Income$51,512
Mean Income$58,899
Earners6,293
YoY Change+0.4%
SEIFA INDEX (ABS)
Advantage3/10
Education3/10
Economic2/10
Disadvantage3/10
MEDIAN HOUSE
$330K
-25% YoY
MEDIAN UNIT
$400K
-65.6% YoY
MEDIAN RENT /WK
$230
POPULATION
8,157
DEMOGRAPHICS
Median Age42
Household Size2.3
HH Income /wk$1,221
Personal Income /wk$706
Mortgage /mth$1,257
CRIME (Forbes LGA)
Crime Rate (per 100k)6,918
Total Incidents643
TRANSPORT
Rail Stations1
Bus Stops520
Ferry Wharves12
Barwin St Opp Ferry Lane
Bathurst St At Ferry Lane
Berkley St At Ferry Lane
Bridge St After Ferry St
Bridge St Before Ferry St
SCHOOLS (5)
Avg ICSEA917
Total Students2,024
Independent1
Government3
Catholic1
Red Bend Catholic CollegeSecondary · Independent · ICSEA 989
Forbes Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 940
St Laurence's Parish SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 992
Forbes High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 848
Forbes North Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 818
HOSPITALS (1)
Lachlan Health Service - Forbespublic
Data: 2026