Forster NSW

Postcode 2428 · Mid-Coast LGA

Forster is a well-established suburb in New South Wales within the Mid-Coast local government area (postcode 2428). With a population of 14,187, the suburb has an older demographic with a median age of 57. Households earn a median income of $52K per year, with an average household size of 2.1 people. The most common occupations are professionals, community & personal service, technicians & trades. The top ancestries reported are English, Australian, Irish.

The median house price in Forster is $843,000, having dipped slightly 0.8% over the past year. Units have a median price of $560,000 (-12.4% YoY). The current median weekly rent is $500. This gives a gross rental yield of approximately 3.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733.

Forster is served by 3 schools, including 2 primary, 1 secondary. The average ICSEA score is 961, which is around the national average of 1,000. Public transport access includes 196 bus stops. Healthcare facilities include 1 private hospital. The crime rate in the Mid-Coast LGA is below average at 3,753 incidents per 100,000 population.

From an investment perspective, Forster offers a gross rental yield of 3.1%, rated as moderate yield. Property prices sit below the state median ($843K/$1.5M), suggesting a potential value opportunity. The price-to-income ratio of 16.1x is considered stretched. House prices have moved -0.8% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rental Yield3.1% Moderate Yield
Price vs State$843K/$1.5M Below Median
Affordability16.1x Stretched
Price Momentum-0.8% Falling
INCOME (ATO 2022-23)
Median Income$40,931
Mean Income$53,390
Earners8,612
YoY Change+7.2%
SEIFA INDEX (ABS)
Advantage2/10
Education2/10
Economic2/10
Disadvantage2/10
MEDIAN HOUSE
$843K
-0.8% YoY
MEDIAN UNIT
$560K
-12.4% YoY
MEDIAN RENT /WK
$340
POPULATION
14,187
DEMOGRAPHICS
Median Age57
Household Size2.1
HH Income /wk$1,009
Personal Income /wk$581
Mortgage /mth$1,733
CRIME (Mid-Coast LGA)
Crime Rate (per 100k)3,753
Total Incidents3,700
TRANSPORT
Bus Stops196
SCHOOLS (3)
Avg ICSEA961
Total Students1,396
Government2
Catholic1
Forster Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 934
Great Lakes College Forster CampusSecondary · Government · ICSEA 936
Holy Name Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1014
HOSPITALS (1)
Forster Private Hospitalprivate
Data: 2026