NSW 2283 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Fishing Point

With a median age of 51, Fishing Point sits 11 years above the national figure, making it one of the oldest-skewing communities on Lake Macquarie. Only 1,105 people occupy 0.67 square kilometres, yet the suburb carries a $1,067,000 median house price and a 10.9% vacancy rate, a combination that points to a predominantly owner-occupied holiday and semi-retirement market rather than a commuter suburb. Ownership without a mortgage accounts for 53.7% of households, well above the national average, and 97.9% of dwellings are separate houses. Household income sits in the 61.7th percentile nationally, moderate relative to the high purchase price.

Fishing Point urban fabric map

Population

1,105

Median Age

51.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,755/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

18

Median House

$1.1M

2024-2025 (PSI derived)

0.67 km²· 1,658.2 people/km²· Family income $1,989/wk

The $1,067,000 median house price makes Fishing Point a premium entry point on Lake Macquarie, and prices have trended upward from $1,041,000 in 2024 to $1,110,000 in 2025. The housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 97.9%, with 54.7% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms and 38.7% three bedrooms, so buyers get substantial family-sized homes. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 28.5%, below the 30% stress threshold despite a price point above the state median. Outright owners at 53.7% far outnumber mortgage holders at 32.5%, which reflects the older demographic base and long-held tenure rather than a suburb driven by first-home buyers or upgraders.

For Buyers

The $1,067,000 median house price makes Fishing Point a premium entry point on Lake Macquarie, and prices have trended upward from $1,041,000 in 2024 to $1,110,000 in 2025. The housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 97.9%, with 54.7% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms and 38.7% three bedrooms, so buyers get substantial family-sized homes. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 28.5%, below the 30% stress threshold despite a price point above the state median. Outright owners at 53.7% far outnumber mortgage holders at 32.5%, which reflects the older demographic base and long-held tenure rather than a suburb driven by first-home buyers or upgraders.

For Investors

The rental market is thin: only 13.8% of households rent and weekly rent averages $430, well below comparable lakeside markets. Against a $1,067,000 median, that rent implies a gross yield under 2.1%, making cash-flow returns limited compared to broader NSW investor benchmarks. The 10.9% vacancy rate is high relative to most residential suburbs, reinforcing that a large share of stock functions as a second home or holiday property rather than continuous rental. Development activity logged 14 applications over 12 months, mostly alterations and additions to existing structures rather than new dwellings, so supply growth is minimal. Population turnover is low, with 77.9% of residents having stayed in the same address over the survey period, pointing to stable but slow-moving ownership rather than speculative churn.

Development Activity

Total DAs

108

Last 12 Months

18

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-14.3%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
15
Swimming Pool / Spa
5
Demolition
5
New Dwelling
5
Garage / Carport / Shed
3
Subdivision
3
Landscaping / Retaining Wall
2
Commercial / Industrial
1

Demographics

The median age of 51 exceeds the national figure by 11 years, placing Fishing Point firmly in the older-resident category. The overseas-born share is 12.9%, which is 8.7 percentage points below the national average, and ancestry skews strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (537 residents), Irish (142) and Scottish (127) are the three largest groups. University qualifications at 25.7% sit 4.4 percentage points below the national rate, consistent with an older cohort that completed education before tertiary participation expanded. Average household size is 2.4, slightly below the national figure, and 44.2% of families are couples without children, a pattern typical of post-retirement or empty-nester households. The volunteering rate of 17.1% is relatively high, which aligns with the semi-retired profile.

Age Distribution

0-14
13.7%
15-24
9.9%
25-44
18.0%
45-64
26.4%
65+
32.7%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
N/A
2 bed
6.6%
3 bed
38.7%
4+ bed
54.7%

Dwelling Structure

97.9%

Houses

2.1%

Townhouse

N/A

Apartment

Tenure

Own 53.7% Mortgage 32.5% Rent 13.8%

Tenure is heavily skewed toward outright ownership: 53.7% own without a mortgage compared to 32.5% on a mortgage and only 13.8% renting, a split more typical of a retiree enclave than a working-suburb market. Separate houses account for 97.9% of dwellings, one of the highest rates in NSW, with semi-detached at 2.1% and effectively no apartments. Bedroom size is large, with 54.7% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms and 38.7% having three, reflecting lakeside homes designed for families or entertaining rather than compact urban living. The median price rose from $1,041,000 in 2024 to $1,110,000 in 2025, a 6.6% gain in one year. Rent-to-income at 24.5% and mortgage-to-income at 28.5% both stay below stress thresholds, indicating housing costs are manageable for existing residents.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$2,167

Rent / wk

$430

HH Size

2.4

Personal Income / wk

$787

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

10.9%

Unoccupied

52

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

24.5%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

28.5%

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
537
Irish
142
Scottish
127
Other
59
Ancestry NS
55
German
45

Household Composition

44.2%

Couples, no children

908

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is the dominant industry at 17.2% of the employed workforce (57 workers), followed by Education at 10.9% and Professional/Technical services at 10.3%, with Construction at 8.5% and Mining at 7.3%. By occupation, Professionals (96) lead, ahead of Community and Personal Service workers (73), Managers (64) and Clerical/Admin (63). The unemployment rate is 3.7%, low relative to state averages, but the participation rate of 48.3% is well below the national figure, because 415 residents are not in the labour force, consistent with a large semi-retired or retired cohort. Full-time employment among those working runs at 60.0%, and 178 residents work part-time, a split that reflects both flexible working arrangements and part-retirement.

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Full-time

60.0%

Part-time

36.3%

Participation

48.3%

Employed

445

Occupations

Professionals 96
Community/Personal 73
Managers 64
Clerical/Admin 63
Labourers 42
Sales 35
Machinery/Drivers 29

Top Industries

Healthcare 17.2%
Education 10.9%
Professional/Tech 10.3%
Construction 8.5%
Mining 7.3%

University

25.7%

Postgraduate

6.1%

Born Overseas

12.9%

Dwellings

423

Transport to Work

Car dependence is almost universal, with 93.1% of residents commuting by private vehicle and no recorded public transport use or walking and cycling share in the available data, reflecting the low-density lakeside setting. There are no schools recorded within Fishing Point itself, so families depend on nearby centres. The suburb scores no SEIFA data in this dataset, but indirect indicators suggest moderate advantage: household income in the 61.7th percentile nationally and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.5% show manageable living costs. Only 5.3% of residents need daily assistance (55 people), reasonable given the older median age of 51. The low renter share of 13.8% and high outright-ownership rate point to a settled, low-transience community.

Drive

93.1%

Public Transport

N/A

Walk / Cycle

N/A

Work from Home

N/A

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Fishing Point compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 27%
Household Income
Top 38%
Rent Level
Top 11%
Renters
Bottom 29%
Uni Educated
Top 45%
Born Overseas
Bottom 44%
Density
Top 10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fishing Point a good suburb to live in?

Fishing Point suits retirees and semi-retirees well. The median age is 51, which is 11 years above the national figure, outright ownership reaches 53.7%, and housing costs sit below stress thresholds with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.5%. Car ownership is essential as 93.1% drive and there is no recorded public transport use. No schools operate within the suburb itself.

What is the median house price in Fishing Point?

The median house price is $1,067,000, up from $1,041,000 in 2024 to $1,110,000 in 2025, a 6.6% one-year gain. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167. Weekly rent averages $430, though only 13.8% of households are rented.

What schools are in Fishing Point?

No schools are recorded within Fishing Point in this dataset. Families rely on schools in surrounding Lake Macquarie suburbs. University qualifications in the suburb sit at 25.7%, which is 4.4 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the older resident profile.

Is Fishing Point safe?

Detailed crime rate data is not available for Fishing Point in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, household income sits in the 61.7th percentile nationally and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.5% is below the stress threshold, both associated with lower socioeconomic pressure. The suburb's population of 1,105 is small and low-density.

Is Fishing Point good for property investment?

Investment returns are limited. Weekly rent of $430 against a $1,067,000 median implies a gross yield under 2.1%, and the 10.9% vacancy rate signals a large proportion of stock held as holiday or second homes rather than continuous rentals. Capital growth was 6.6% in one year, but the thin rental market means yield-focused investors will find better options elsewhere in Lake Macquarie.

How is Fishing Point's population changing?

Fishing Point has a population of 1,105 across 0.67 square kilometres. The resident profile skews older, with a median age of 51 that is 11 years above the national figure, and 44.2% of families are couples without children. Address turnover is low, with 77.9% of residents having stayed in the same dwelling, indicating a stable rather than growing population base.

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 Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), 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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