Forest Lake (Hamilton City)

NZDep 7
Pop 2,622Median age 34Hamilton City

Forest Lake (Hamilton City) is a small suburb in Waikato with a population of 2,622 and a median age of 34. Median personal income is $40K per year. The main ethnic groups are European, Māori, Asian.

Median weekly rent in Forest Lake (Hamilton City) is $550 (550 houses, 330 units). This represents approximately 72% of median weekly personal income.

Livability indicators for Forest Lake (Hamilton City): NZDep decile 7 (moderate deprivation); 1 school with avg EQI 492.

In 2026, Forest Lake (Hamilton City) recorded 9 building approvals (0 houses, 9 units), down 30.8% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rent Affordability72% Stretched
School QualityEQI 492 Below Average
DeprivationDecile 7 Moderate
Development-31% Slowing
RENTAL MARKET
Median Rent /wk$550
House Rent /wk$550
Unit Rent /wk$330
Rent-to-Income72.4%
Lodgements36
1/10/2025
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population2,622
Median Age34
Household Size
Personal Income$40K/yr
Household Income
ETHNICITY
European57.6%
Māori23.1%
Asian13.0%
Pacific Peoples5.0%
MELAA1.4%
TOP INDUSTRIES
Construction156
Manufacturing144
Retail Trade141
SCHOOLS (1)
Avg EQI492
Total Students342
State1
Forest Lake SchoolContributing · State · EQI 492 · 342 students
LIVABILITY (NZDep 2023)
Deprivation Decile7/10
NZDep Score1018
Moderate deprivation — typical of many NZ suburbs.
DEVELOPMENT
Approvals (2026)9
  Units9
YoY Change-30.8%
Data: Stats NZ Census 2023 · MBIE · MoE · NZDep2023