Forest Hill
At a median age of 25, Forest Hill sits 15 years below the national average, making it one of the youngest populations in NSW. The suburb covers 34.62 square kilometres near Wagga Wagga with a density of just 89 people per km2, yet its household income ranks in the 63rd percentile nationally, above many similarly sized regional centres. Nearly 90% of dwellings are separate houses, and the median house price of $499,000 sits well below Sydney benchmarks, drawing young families who could not enter capital city markets. Public Admin accounts for 34% of local employment, anchoring economic stability through government sector jobs.
Population
3,081
Median Age
25.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,788/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
50
Median House
$499K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The $499,000 median house price is the headline draw for buyers priced out of major cities, and price history shows momentum: the median rose from $459,500 in 2024 to $509,000 in 2025, a gain of 10.8% in one year. Separate houses dominate at 89.9% of stock, with three-bedroom homes at 44.3% and four-plus bedroom homes at 42.8%, so family-sized properties are the norm rather than the exception. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 16.8%, well below the 30% stress threshold compared to the national average for mortgage holders. Outright owners represent 18.1% and mortgage holders 45.8%, consistent with a suburb where residents are actively building equity rather than sitting on paid-off inherited stock.
For Buyers
The $499,000 median house price is the headline draw for buyers priced out of major cities, and price history shows momentum: the median rose from $459,500 in 2024 to $509,000 in 2025, a gain of 10.8% in one year. Separate houses dominate at 89.9% of stock, with three-bedroom homes at 44.3% and four-plus bedroom homes at 42.8%, so family-sized properties are the norm rather than the exception. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 16.8%, well below the 30% stress threshold compared to the national average for mortgage holders. Outright owners represent 18.1% and mortgage holders 45.8%, consistent with a suburb where residents are actively building equity rather than sitting on paid-off inherited stock.
For Investors
The 36.1% renter share provides a solid tenant base, and with weekly rent at $310 against a $499,000 median, gross yield is approximately 3.2%, higher than most Sydney suburbs. The vacancy rate of 6.3% is elevated, signalling some softness in tenant demand that investors should monitor, particularly given the area's reliance on government employment as the primary demand driver. Development activity is strong at 46 applications in the past 12 months, with recent lodgements dominated by new dwelling constructions, pointing to confidence in the local market. Rent growth of 27.3% over the measured period significantly outpaces income growth of 7.7%, which tightens affordability for renters and supports rental income for landlords.
Development Activity
Total DAs
164
Last 12 Months
50
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+11.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Forest Hill iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Forest Hill Public School
K-6 · 159 students
Demographics
The median age of 25 is 15 years below the national figure, reflecting a population shaped by young families and early-career workers, many in community and public service roles. Overseas-born residents account for 11.8%, which is 9.8 percentage points below the national figure, and ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic: English (1,101), Scottish (279) and Irish (275) are the top three groups. University qualifications reach 17.3%, which is 12.8 points below national, consistent with a workforce dominated by community, healthcare and trades occupations rather than professional services. Average household size of 2.8 is 0.3 above national, driven by couples with children making up the largest household type at 1,068 families out of 2,052 total.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
89.9%
Houses
1.0%
Townhouse
7.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Separate houses account for 89.9% of all dwellings, well above the national average, with apartments at just 7.9% and semi-detached at 1.0%. The bedroom profile skews large: 44.3% are three-bedroom and 42.8% are four-plus bedroom homes, so the market caters almost entirely to family occupiers. Prices rose from $459,500 in 2024 to $509,000 in 2025, a 10.8% annual gain, and the median of $499,000 now sits at the current peak. Tenure divides into 45.8% mortgage holders, 36.1% renters and 18.1% outright owners. Housing stress is low on both metrics: mortgage-to-income at 16.8% and rent-to-income at 17.3% both sit comfortably below stress thresholds, making Forest Hill more affordable than the national average for both buyers and renters.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wk
$310
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$932
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.3%
Unoccupied
56
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
16.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
18.2%
Couples, no children
2,052
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public Administration dominates the local economy at 34% of employment (329 workers), followed by Healthcare at 16% (155), Education at 6.9% (67), Construction at 6.2% (60) and Manufacturing at 5.9% (57). This public-sector concentration provides income stability relative to resource-dependent regional towns. The unemployment rate is 2.7%, below the national average, and the full-time employment rate reaches 75.4%, indicating most workers hold stable positions. By occupation, Community and Personal Service workers lead at 394, followed by Professionals at 200 and Clerical staff at 131. SEIFA scores show an IEO decile of 8, placing Forest Hill above average nationally for education and occupation levels, though the IER decile of 5 reflects moderate economic resources consistent with a mortgage-belt community.
Unemployment
3.9%
Labour Force
5,772
Unemployed
227
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
75.4%
Part-time
21.9%
Participation
66.5%
Employed
1,567
Occupations
Top Industries
University
17.3%
Postgraduate
2.8%
Born Overseas
11.8%
Dwellings
831
Transport to Work
One of the most distinctive lifestyle features is how residents travel: 27.5% walk or cycle to work, well above the national average, reflecting a compact local activity centre that puts jobs within easy reach on foot or bike. Car use at 66.3% is present but lower than many comparable regional towns. Crime data is not available in this dataset, but the IRSAD decile of 7 places Forest Hill above the national midpoint for relative advantage, suggesting lower disadvantage than most comparable suburbs. Housing stress is minimal, with rent-to-income at 17.3% and mortgage-to-income at 16.8%, both comfortably below stress levels compared to state and national benchmarks. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in the wider Wagga Wagga area.
Drive
66.3%
Public Transport
0.2%
Walk / Cycle
27.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.41%/yr
(+46 people/yr)
EstablishedAnnual population growth runs at 0.41%, adding approximately 46 residents per year, and the 10-year population change of 7.2% shows steady if unspectacular expansion. The primary growth driver is overseas migration at a net gain of 238 people annually, which more than offsets the internal outflow of 136 per year. Medium forecasts project the broader area population reaching approximately 11,511 by 2031, compared to 11,256 in 2025. Gentrification is scored at early signs, supported by overseas inflow, rent growth of 27.3% and COVID recovery: the suburb dipped 3.0% during COVID and has since recovered 2.9% above the pre-COVID baseline. The gentrification score of 20 signals the transition is nascent rather than advanced.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+238
Net Internal / yr
-136
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Net internal outflow -136/yr, Strong overseas inflow +238/yr, COVID recovered (-3% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Forest Hill compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forest Hill a good suburb to live in?
Forest Hill offers a low-cost entry into home ownership, with a $499,000 median house price well below capital city benchmarks. The IRSAD decile of 7 places it above the national midpoint for relative advantage. Housing stress is low: mortgage-to-income is 16.8% and rent-to-income is 17.3%, both comfortably below the 30% stress threshold.
What is the median house price in Forest Hill?
The median house price is $499,000 as of the 2024-2025 period. Prices rose from $459,500 in 2024 to $509,000 in 2025, a 10.8% gain in one year. Weekly rent averages $310, and monthly mortgage repayments run approximately $1,300.
What schools are in Forest Hill?
No schools are recorded inside the Forest Hill suburb boundary in this dataset. Families access schools in the wider Wagga Wagga area. The local population has a university qualification rate of 17.3%, which is 12.8 percentage points below the national figure.
Is Forest Hill safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Forest Hill in this dataset. As a proxy indicator, the suburb scores IRSAD decile 7 nationally, above average for relative advantage, and the unemployment rate is low at 2.7%, both factors associated with lower crime incidence compared to more disadvantaged areas.
Is Forest Hill good for property investment?
The rental yield is approximately 3.2%, derived from $310 weekly rent against a $499,000 median, which is higher than most Sydney suburbs. Rent grew 27.3% over the measured period. The vacancy rate of 6.3% is elevated and warrants monitoring. Development activity of 46 applications in 12 months shows continued builder confidence.
How is Forest Hill's population changing?
Population is growing at 0.41% annually, adding about 46 residents per year. Over 10 years the suburb grew 7.2%. Overseas migration is the primary driver at a net gain of 238 per year, offsetting an internal outflow of 136. Medium forecasts project the broader area population reaching 11,511 by 2031, up from 11,256 in 2025.
How much development is happening in Forest Hill?
There were 46 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, with recent samples dominated by new dwelling house constructions. This level of activity is consistent with steady demand for family housing in a suburb where 89.9% of dwellings are separate houses and the median age is just 25.
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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