East Gosford
With 4,391 residents concentrated across 2.07 square kilometres, East Gosford has a density of 2,120.6 people per square kilometre and a median age of 44, which is 4.0 years above the national figure. Its household income sits at the 33.4th percentile, while renting at 42.3% exceeds outright ownership at 31.0%. Compared with nearby Gosford's more commercial core, East Gosford reads as a compact residential catchment, supported by a 37.0% work from home rate and a housing mix led by 49.1% three-bedroom dwellings. The profile suits buyers who value established services and smaller-lot or attached housing, but mortgage costs and a relatively modest income position deserve close attention.
Population
4,391
Median Age
44.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,330/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
45
Buyer decisions here should start with dwelling type rather than assuming a detached-house market. Separate houses account for 38.0%, while semi-detached homes and apartments make up 31.4% and 30.4%, so attached options are more common than detached stock. Three-bedroom homes represent 49.1%, ahead of four-bedroom-plus homes at 15.7%, which supports downsizers, couples and smaller families more than large-house seekers. Mortgage payments of $2,000 per month sit alongside mortgage stress at 34.7% of household income, above the 28.6% rent-to-income figure. Compared with renting at $380 per week, ownership requires careful cash-flow testing, especially when household income ranks at the 33.4th percentile.
For Buyers
Buyer decisions here should start with dwelling type rather than assuming a detached-house market. Separate houses account for 38.0%, while semi-detached homes and apartments make up 31.4% and 30.4%, so attached options are more common than detached stock. Three-bedroom homes represent 49.1%, ahead of four-bedroom-plus homes at 15.7%, which supports downsizers, couples and smaller families more than large-house seekers. Mortgage payments of $2,000 per month sit alongside mortgage stress at 34.7% of household income, above the 28.6% rent-to-income figure. Compared with renting at $380 per week, ownership requires careful cash-flow testing, especially when household income ranks at the 33.4th percentile.
For Investors
Investor conditions are shaped by a large tenant base and a compact, mixed dwelling stock. Renting accounts for 42.3%, higher than outright ownership at 31.0%, while weekly rent is $380 and vacancy is 7.2%. That combination can support tenant demand, but the vacancy rate is high enough to justify conservative leasing assumptions and a property-specific review. Development activity is also visible: 43 applications were recorded across 12 months, including a dual-occupancy example involving 2 dwellings. New supply may improve amenity, yet it can also add competition for older rentals. Compared with a low-rental, detached-house market, East Gosford presents more exposure to apartments and semi-detached homes, recorded at 30.4% and 31.4%. Investors should weigh body corporate costs, parking and refurbishment needs against the $380 weekly rent.
Development Activity
Total DAs
191
Last 12 Months
45
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+32.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in East Gosford
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
East Gosford has an older age profile than Australia overall, with a median age of 44, or 4.0 years above the national figure. University attainment is 33.8%, sitting 3.7 percentage points above the national comparison, while the overseas-born share is 24.0%, 2.4 points above the national level. Household size is 2.1 people, 0.4 below the national figure, helping explain the strong presence of couples without children at 40.1% of families. English ancestry leads at 1,770 people, followed by Irish at 603 and Scottish at 476. Compared with nearby Gosford, this points to a settled, Anglo-leaning community with smaller households, while Christianity counts 2,193 residents and no religion counts 1,680.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
38.0%
Houses
31.4%
Townhouse
30.4%
Apartment
Tenure
East Gosford's housing profile is more mixed than a conventional detached-house suburb. Separate houses account for 38.0%, compared with 31.4% semi-detached dwellings and 30.4% apartments. Three-bedroom homes lead at 49.1%, while two-bedroom dwellings represent 25.6% and four-bedroom-plus homes 15.7%, creating options for smaller households as well as families. Tenure is also distinctive: 42.3% rent, 31.0% own outright and 25.6% hold a mortgage. Renting is therefore above outright ownership, while mortgage payments of $2,000 per month and mortgage stress of 34.7% sit above the 28.6% rent-to-income figure. Compared with nearby Gosford, the attached housing share gives East Gosford a more compact residential feel, but buyers should compare like-for-like properties rather than relying on a suburb-wide impression.
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $380.
$650
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $693 · units $600
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$759
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.2%
Unoccupied
154
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
34.7% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
36.3%
Couples with children
40.1%
Couples, no children
22.3%
Single parent
1,146
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is East Gosford's leading industry at 25.3%, employing 359 people, followed by education at 10.8% and 153 people, construction at 9.6% and 136, professional and technical services at 9.4% and 133, and public administration at 7.4% and 105. This concentration gives the local economy a stronger care and services orientation than a suburb led by retail or manufacturing. Professionals number 553, above managers at 273 and clerical or administrative workers at 264, reinforcing the role of knowledge and service occupations. The unemployment rate is 4.4%, with participation at 55.8% and full-time employment at 53.9%. Household income of $1,330 per week sits at the 33.4th percentile, so employment breadth does not necessarily translate into above-average household purchasing power.
Unemployment
4.4%
Labour Force
2,058
Unemployed
91
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
53.9%
Part-time
35.4%
Participation
55.8%
Employed
1,967
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
33.8%
Postgraduate
9.3%
Born Overseas
24.0%
Dwellings
1,973
Transport to Work
Daily life is shaped by compact streets, car access and home-based work. At 2.07 square kilometres and 2,120.6 people per square kilometre, trips can be relatively short, yet 54.7% drive to work compared with 3.0% using public transport and 2.0% walking or cycling. A substantial 37.0% work from home, which may reduce peak commuting but increases the value of household space and reliable internet. Families have 1 named government primary school, Gosford East Public School, and should check enrolment zones against the exact address. A safety judgement should rely on current NSW Police crime data rather than assumptions. Compared with lower-density areas, East Gosford's compact setting trades larger yards for access and convenience, while its median age of 44 may appeal to households seeking a quieter established environment.
Drive
54.7%
Public Transport
3.0%
Walk / Cycle
2.0%
Work from Home
37.0%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How East Gosford compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Gosford a good suburb to live in?
East Gosford can suit households seeking a compact, established setting, with 2.07 square kilometres, a 37.0% work from home rate and 1 local government primary school. Car commuting is common at 54.7%, while public transport accounts for 3.0%, so lifestyle fit depends on transport needs and the exact address.
What is the median house price in East Gosford?
A current median house price should be checked against recent comparable sales before making an offer. East Gosford has 38.0% separate houses, 31.4% semi-detached dwellings and 30.4% apartments, so a single figure may not represent the property type, size or condition you are considering.
What schools are in East Gosford?
East Gosford has 1 named local school, Gosford East Public School, a government primary school. Families should confirm the enrolment zone for the exact address and check current intake arrangements, because school access can differ across nearby streets and suburb boundaries.
Is East Gosford safe?
Use current NSW Police crime data and inspect the exact street at different times before making a safety judgement. East Gosford covers 2.07 square kilometres and has 4,391 residents, so conditions can vary by location. Do not rank it above or below nearby Gosford without current, comparable crime figures.
Is East Gosford good for property investment?
East Gosford may suit investors comfortable with a mixed housing market. Renting is 42.3%, weekly rent is $380 and vacancy is 7.2%, while 43 development applications were recorded over 12 months. Apartments at 30.4% and semi-detached homes at 31.4% require careful checks on parking, maintenance and body corporate costs.
How is East Gosford's population changing?
East Gosford has 4,391 residents, with 76.0% staying at the same address and 24.0% turnover. Forty-three development applications in 12 months, including 2 dwellings in one example, suggest ongoing infill and renewal. That points to a settled suburb with incremental change rather than a large expansion, although individual streets may change faster.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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