Forest Lodge
Packed at 11,028 residents per square kilometre across just 0.45 km2, Forest Lodge is one of inner Sydney's densest pockets, and the numbers behind that density tell the story. Apartments make up 61.6% of dwellings and semi-detached terraces another 34.6%, leaving separate houses at only 3.5%. The result is a renter-majority suburb where 62.7% of residents lease rather than own. University qualifications reach 69.9%, which is 39.8 points above the national figure, and the median age of 34 sits 6.0 years below national, a young, highly educated profile. Household income lands in the 91.3rd percentile, yet the SEIFA economic-resources index reads decile 1, an anomaly driven by that same renter base.
Population
4,965
Median Age
34.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,437/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
30
Median House
$1.5M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The $1,519,000 median house price reflects scarcity more than size, because separate houses are only 3.5% of the stock and apartments dominate at 61.6%. Prices moved modestly, from $1,510,000 in 2024 to $1,550,000 in 2025, a 2.6% gain that is gentle compared with the broader Sydney market. Two-bedroom dwellings lead at 41.1% and one-bedroom or studio homes at 30.6%, so three-bedroom and larger stock, just 28.3% combined, commands a premium. Monthly mortgage repayments average $3,033, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.7%, below the 30% stress threshold thanks to household incomes in the 91.3rd percentile. Buyers chasing a detached house will compete hard, but apartment and terrace entry points keep the suburb more accessible than its premium label suggests.
For Buyers
The $1,519,000 median house price reflects scarcity more than size, because separate houses are only 3.5% of the stock and apartments dominate at 61.6%. Prices moved modestly, from $1,510,000 in 2024 to $1,550,000 in 2025, a 2.6% gain that is gentle compared with the broader Sydney market. Two-bedroom dwellings lead at 41.1% and one-bedroom or studio homes at 30.6%, so three-bedroom and larger stock, just 28.3% combined, commands a premium. Monthly mortgage repayments average $3,033, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.7%, below the 30% stress threshold thanks to household incomes in the 91.3rd percentile. Buyers chasing a detached house will compete hard, but apartment and terrace entry points keep the suburb more accessible than its premium label suggests.
For Investors
With 62.7% of residents renting and weekly rent at $590, landlords have a deep tenant pool, but the 12.3% vacancy rate signals real apartment oversupply in a stock that is 61.6% units. Against the $1,519,000 median, that rent implies a gross yield near 2.0%, low even by inner-Sydney standards, so the case rests on rent growth and capital preservation rather than cashflow. Rent climbed 26.2% over the decade, well above income growth, which supports escalation. Demand is underwritten by strong overseas migration of 724 residents a year, though net internal migration removes 498, leaving thin natural growth. Development is steady but small at 29 applications in 12 months, mostly alterations rather than new supply, which limits dilution of existing values.
Development Activity
Total DAs
200
Last 12 Months
30
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-23.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Forest Lodge iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Forest Lodge Public School
K-6 · 307 students
Demographics
The median age of 34 runs 6.0 years below the national figure, a young profile reinforced by 42.6% of residents born overseas, which is 21.0 points above national. University qualifications reach 69.9%, fully 39.8 points above national, among the highest anywhere. Ancestry leans Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,557), Irish (615) and Scottish (498), with a substantial Chinese community (726). The top non-English languages are Mandarin (156 speakers), Cantonese (41) and Italian (31). Average household size is 2.1, which is 0.4 below national, consistent with a couples-and-singles profile where 40.2% of families are couples without children. The mix of youth, education and migration points to a transient professional population rather than settled family households.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
3.5%
Houses
34.6%
Townhouse
61.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure tilts sharply toward renting: 62.7% lease, while only 17.0% own outright and 20.3% carry a mortgage, the inverse of a typical owner-occupied suburb. The stock is 61.6% apartments and 34.6% semi-detached terraces, leaving separate houses at just 3.5%, which keeps detached-house prices elevated through scarcity. Two-bedroom dwellings account for 41.1% and one-bedroom or studio homes 30.6%, so smaller stock dominates. The median house price rose from $1,510,000 to $1,550,000 across 2024-2025, a 2.6% move that is mild relative to Sydney's recent swings. Mortgage-to-income at 28.7% stays below the stress threshold and rent-to-income at 24.2% is comfortable, a sign that incomes in the 91.3rd percentile absorb the high prices better than most markets.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$3,033
Rent / wk
$590
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$1,469
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
12.3%
Unoccupied
322
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
40.2%
Couples, no children
3,258
Total families
Economy & Employment
The workforce concentrates in knowledge sectors: Professional and Technical leads at 22.4% (583 workers), with Education and Healthcare tied at 13.3% (347 each) and Finance at 11.7% (305). By occupation, Professionals (1,517) and Managers (623) account for the bulk of jobs, aligning with the decile 10 IEO score for education and occupation. Unemployment is low at 4.1% and the full-time employment rate is 74.4%, above many inner-city areas. Real incomes grew 16.3% over the decade. One anomaly stands out: the IER economic-resources index reads decile 1 against decile 10 for education, because the 62.7% renter base depresses aggregate household wealth measures even where personal incomes are high. SEIFA IRSAD sits at decile 9 and IRSD at decile 6, confirming broad advantage with limited disadvantage.
Unemployment
7.7%
Labour Force
13,524
Unemployed
1,044
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
74.4%
Part-time
21.5%
Participation
68.2%
Employed
2,841
Occupations
Top Industries
University
69.9%
Postgraduate
26.8%
Born Overseas
42.6%
Dwellings
2,294
Transport to Work
Active and public transport carry an unusually high load: 31.8% walk or cycle and 13.5% take public transport, while only 51.1% drive, well below the national reliance on cars, a function of the compact 0.45 km2 footprint and 11,028 residents per square kilometre. The suburb earns decile 9 on IRSAD, the second-highest advantage tier nationally, and decile 6 on IRSD, indicating limited relative disadvantage. Volunteering runs at 16.2% and only 2.0% of residents, 96 people, need daily assistance, consistent with the young median age of 34. No schools are recorded inside the boundary in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring suburbs, a practical trade-off for a dense, apartment-heavy setting close to the University of Sydney.
Drive
51.1%
Public Transport
13.5%
Walk / Cycle
31.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.25%/yr
(+272 people/yr)
EstablishedForecasts point to steady expansion, with annual population growth of 1.25%, or about 272 people a year, and a 22.2% rise over the past decade. The medium projection lifts the population from roughly 21,805 toward 23,842 by 2031. The single positive driver is overseas migration at 724 residents a year, sharply offset by net internal outflow of 498, so growth depends on new arrivals replacing departing locals. The suburb recovered fully from a 5.0% COVID dip and now sits 6.5% above its pandemic low. Gentrification reads early signs at a score of 28 to 35, supported by the 22% population gain since 2011 and rising rents. The trajectory is classed as aging, with the senior share up 3.7 points over the decade.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+724
Net Internal / yr
-498
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +23% since 2011, Net internal outflow -498/yr, Strong overseas inflow +724/yr, COVID recovered (-5% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Forest Lodge compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forest Lodge a good suburb to live in?
Forest Lodge scores decile 9 on IRSAD, the second-highest advantage tier nationally, with household income in the 91.3rd percentile and university qualifications at 69.9%, 39.8 points above national. The main trade-offs are a $1,519,000 median house price and a 12.3% apartment vacancy rate.
What is the median house price in Forest Lodge?
The median house price is $1,519,000. Prices rose 2.6% from $1,510,000 in 2024 to $1,550,000 in 2025, a mild move compared with Sydney's swings. Weekly rent averages $590 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $3,033, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.7%.
What schools are in Forest Lodge?
No schools are recorded inside the 0.45 km2 Forest Lodge boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The local population is highly educated, with university qualifications at 69.9%, which is 39.8 points above the national figure.
Is Forest Lodge safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Forest Lodge in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 6 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage and decile 9 on IRSAD, and only 2.0% of its residents, 96 people, need daily assistance, both consistent with a low-disadvantage area.
Is Forest Lodge good for property investment?
Rent of $590 a week against a $1,519,000 median gives a gross yield near 2.0%, low for the area, and the 12.3% vacancy rate signals apartment oversupply. Net overseas migration of 724 a year supports demand, but rent grew 26.2% over the decade, so returns lean on rent escalation and capital growth.
How is Forest Lodge's population changing?
Population growth runs at 1.25% annually, about 272 people a year, with a 22.2% rise over 10 years. The medium forecast reaches 23,842 by 2031. Growth is driven by 724 overseas arrivals a year against a net internal outflow of 498, and the profile is aging, with the senior share up 3.7 points.
What languages are spoken in Forest Lodge?
About 42.6% of residents were born overseas, 21.0 points above the national figure. English dominates, with Mandarin (156 speakers), Cantonese (41), Italian (31) and German (26) the most common non-English languages, reflecting a young, internationally mixed professional population.
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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