Forrest
Household income in the 98.8th percentile nationally makes Forrest one of the wealthiest postcodes in the ACT, yet the suburb runs a 19.1% vacancy rate, one of the highest you will encounter in Canberra. The two facts connect: Forrest is apartment-dominant at 46.6%, draws a highly transient population including diplomats and senior public servants, and 36.1% of residents moved in the five years to the census. With just 1,827 people across 1.59 km2, it functions more like a high-status enclave than a large residential suburb, and every SEIFA index confirms that positioning at decile 9 or 10.
Population
1,827
Median Age
47.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$3,363/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
8
Median House
$756K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price is estimated at $756,000, below what the suburb's income profile might suggest, because 46.6% of dwellings are apartments rather than detached houses. Only 36.5% of stock is separate houses, so genuine detached-house buyers compete for scarce supply. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,520, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.3%, well below the national stress threshold thanks to household incomes that rank in the 98.8th percentile. Outright owners at 38.6% outnumber mortgage holders at 30.0%, which is typical of an area where long-held government and diplomatic properties dominate. The 13.9% share of studio or one-bedroom units is lower than inner-Canberra averages, but 2-bedroom dwellings at 30.0% and 4-plus bedroom homes at 29.8% indicate a wide housing mix.
For Buyers
The median house price is estimated at $756,000, below what the suburb's income profile might suggest, because 46.6% of dwellings are apartments rather than detached houses. Only 36.5% of stock is separate houses, so genuine detached-house buyers compete for scarce supply. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,520, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.3%, well below the national stress threshold thanks to household incomes that rank in the 98.8th percentile. Outright owners at 38.6% outnumber mortgage holders at 30.0%, which is typical of an area where long-held government and diplomatic properties dominate. The 13.9% share of studio or one-bedroom units is lower than inner-Canberra averages, but 2-bedroom dwellings at 30.0% and 4-plus bedroom homes at 29.8% indicate a wide housing mix.
For Investors
A 31.3% renter share and $570 weekly rent provide a tenant base, but the 19.1% vacancy rate is high compared to typical inner-Canberra benchmarks and signals real absorption risk in the apartment segment. Net overseas migration adds about 25 residents per year, which is the primary growth driver, while internal migration contributes a balanced net 6 annually. Eight development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, including one multi-unit proposal for 5 dwellings, suggesting modest but ongoing densification activity. The suburb is established and not gentrifying, so the investment case rests on capital preservation and the stable demand from government and professional tenants rather than yield expansion.
Development Activity
Total DAs
28
Last 12 Months
8
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+100.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Forrest iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Forrest Primary School
K-6 · 479 students
Demographics
The median age of 47 is 7.0 years above the national figure, confirming an aging resident base typical of established inner-Canberra suburbs. University qualifications reach 68.6%, which is 38.5 percentage points above the national average and among the highest rates in Australia. Overseas-born residents make up 25.9%, which is 4.3 points above national, and ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic: English (625), Irish (278) and Scottish (254) lead, with Italian (105) the top non-Anglo group. The senior share rose 8.5 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 2.7 points, confirming a steady aging trajectory. Volunteering at 28.0% is exceptionally high, consistent with a well-resourced community.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
36.5%
Houses
16.9%
Townhouse
46.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits across three groups: 38.6% own outright, 30.0% carry a mortgage and 31.3% rent. The outright-ownership rate exceeding mortgage holders points to long-held, debt-free wealth. The stock profile is unusual: apartments at 46.6% dominate over separate houses at 36.5%, with semi-detached at 16.9%. This apartment dominance largely explains the 19.1% vacancy rate, above typical Canberra norms, as short-term tenants cycle through the area. The bedroom mix spans 13.9% studios or one-bedroom, 30.0% two-bedroom, 26.3% three-bedroom and 29.8% four-plus bedroom, reflecting the dual demand from apartment renters and large family homes. Housing stress is absent at the aggregate level, with mortgage-to-income at 17.3% and rent-to-income at 16.9%, both below standard stress thresholds.
Mortgage / mo
$2,520
Rent / wk
$570
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$1,816
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
19.1%
Unoccupied
187
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
16.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
41.5%
Couples, no children
1,387
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public Administration dominates at 35.5% of the workforce (324 workers), which is unsurprising for a suburb adjacent to Parliament House and central government precincts. Professional and technical services follow at 17.0% (155 workers), Healthcare at 14.0% (128) and Education at 8.2% (75). By occupation, Professionals (456) and Managers (285) together account for the majority of employed residents. Unemployment sits at 3.1%, below the national average, and the full-time employment rate is 74.7%. Personal weekly income averages $1,816 and family weekly income $4,532, placing household income in the 98.8th percentile nationally. All four SEIFA indexes reach decile 9 or 10, confirming that educational, occupational and resource advantage are uniformly high.
Unemployment
0.7%
Labour Force
1,205
Unemployed
9
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
74.7%
Part-time
22.2%
Participation
65.2%
Employed
1,027
Occupations
Top Industries
University
68.6%
Postgraduate
30.2%
Born Overseas
25.9%
Dwellings
786
Transport to Work
Forrest stands out nationally for active transport: 22.8% of residents walk or cycle to work, well above the national average, because the suburb sits within direct reach of the parliamentary triangle and city centre. A further 4.4% use public transport and 68.1% drive. The suburb scores decile 10 on IRSAD, IRSD and IEO, the top advantage tier, confirming very low relative disadvantage. Only 3.3% of residents (58 people) need daily assistance despite a median age of 47. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families rely on schools in neighbouring ACT suburbs. The 28.0% volunteering rate is notably above national norms, consistent with the high-income, high-education profile.
Drive
68.1%
Public Transport
4.4%
Walk / Cycle
22.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.59%/yr
(+31 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 24.5% over the decade to reach 1,827, a faster rate than most established inner-suburb comparisons. The current annual growth trend runs at 1.59%, adding about 31 residents per year, and medium forecasts project the population reaching approximately 2,148 by 2031. Overseas migration at 25 net arrivals per year is the primary driver, with internal migration contributing a balanced 6 annually. The suburb is classified as established and not gentrifying because it already sits at the top of the advantage scale, with no room for further SEIFA uplift. The aging trajectory continues, with the senior share having risen 8.5 points over the decade, and affordability improved from 38.2% in 2011 to 31.4% in 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+25
Net Internal / yr
+6
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Forrest compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forrest a good suburb to live in?
Forrest ranks at decile 10 on IRSAD, IRSD and IEO, the top advantage tier nationally. Household income sits in the 98.8th percentile and university qualifications reach 68.6%, which is 38.5 percentage points above the national average. The main trade-offs are a high vacancy rate of 19.1% and no schools inside the suburb boundary.
What is the median house price in Forrest?
The median house price is estimated at $756,000 (based on 2025 rent data). Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,520, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 17.3%, below stress levels. Weekly rent averages $570, reflecting strong demand from government and professional tenants.
What schools are in Forrest?
No schools are recorded inside the Forrest suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring ACT suburbs. The local population is highly educated, with 68.6% holding university qualifications, which is 38.5 percentage points above the national figure.
Is Forrest safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Forrest in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 10 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, the highest tier nationally, and only 3.3% of residents (58 people) need daily assistance, both consistent with a very low-disadvantage area.
Is Forrest good for property investment?
Rent of $570 per week against a $756,000 median implies a gross yield around 3.9%, which is moderate. However, the 19.1% vacancy rate is elevated compared to typical Canberra inner-suburb benchmarks. Net overseas migration of 25 per year supports demand, and the stable government and professional tenant pool reduces income risk.
How is Forrest's population changing?
Population grew 24.5% over the past decade and currently increases at 1.59% per year, adding about 31 residents annually. Overseas migration of 25 net arrivals per year is the primary driver. Medium forecasts project the population reaching approximately 2,148 by 2031, up from 1,827 today.
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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