Forrest Beach
The standout feature of Forrest Beach is the combination of an older resident base and unusually open housing stock. The suburb has 1,364 residents and a median age of 57, which is 17 years above the national figure. Vacancy reaches 19.1%, while 91.3% of dwellings are separate houses. Ownership is established, with 50.5% of homes owned outright and a 21.1% turnover rate. Compared with nearby Lucinda and Taylors Beach, buyers should focus on Forrest Beach's detached housing, car dependence and high rental availability. IRSAD sits in decile 10, although household income is at the 10th percentile, showing that local prosperity is unevenly expressed.
Local council: Hinchinbrook
Population
1,364
Median Age
57.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$935/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Forrest Beach suits buyers seeking detached housing, space and a slower residential setting rather than apartment living. Separate houses account for 91.3% of dwellings, with 3-bedroom homes representing 53.2%, 2-bedroom homes 21.8% and 4-bedroom or larger homes 17.8%. The indicative mortgage cost is $1,192 per month, equal to 29.4% of household income, and mortgage stress is not flagged. Compared with higher-density suburbs, the housing form gives buyers more choice around yards and storage, but the 45.46 square kilometre area makes a car important. Confirm recent comparable sales, building condition and flood or coastal risks before setting a purchase budget.
For Buyers
Forrest Beach suits buyers seeking detached housing, space and a slower residential setting rather than apartment living. Separate houses account for 91.3% of dwellings, with 3-bedroom homes representing 53.2%, 2-bedroom homes 21.8% and 4-bedroom or larger homes 17.8%. The indicative mortgage cost is $1,192 per month, equal to 29.4% of household income, and mortgage stress is not flagged. Compared with higher-density suburbs, the housing form gives buyers more choice around yards and storage, but the 45.46 square kilometre area makes a car important. Confirm recent comparable sales, building condition and flood or coastal risks before setting a purchase budget.
For Investors
Forrest Beach has a small but distinctive rental profile, with 23.3% of occupied dwellings rented and median rent of $240 per week. The 19.1% vacancy rate is high compared with tightly held rental markets, so investors should allow for longer letting periods and test demand carefully. Rental growth is recorded at 2.7%, while the wider growth trend is 1.59% annually and migration is classified as Balanced. No development activity was recorded over the latest 12 months, with a count of 0, which limits the immediate risk of new competing stock but also points to modest supply momentum. Assess yield only against a current sale price and property-specific maintenance costs.
Schools in Forrest Beach
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Forrest Beach State School
Demographics
Forrest Beach has a distinctly older age profile: the median age is 57, or 17 years above the national comparison. University participation is 18.2%, sitting 11.9 percentage points below the national figure, while 13.4% of residents were born overseas, 8.2 points below the national comparison. Average household size is 2.1 people, 0.4 below the national level, and couples without children make up 62.4% of families. English ancestry is recorded for 556 residents, followed by Irish at 186, Italian at 177 and Scottish at 160. Christianity accounts for 799 residents and no religion for 407. Compared with younger regional centres, the older profile supports demand for accessible services and low-maintenance housing.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
91.3%
Houses
6.1%
Townhouse
1.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Forrest Beach is dominated by conventional detached housing, with 91.3% of dwellings classed as separate houses, compared with 1.0% apartments and 6.1% semi-detached homes. The most common configuration is 3 bedrooms at 53.2%, followed by 2 bedrooms at 21.8% and 4 or more bedrooms at 17.8%. Tenure is relatively settled, with 50.5% owned outright, 25.6% under mortgage and 23.3% rented. Weekly rent is $240, equal to 25.7% of household income, while the mortgage-to-income ratio is 29.4%; neither measure is flagged as housing stress. Compared with apartment-heavy areas, the stock is more land-oriented, but the 19.1% vacancy rate indicates that not every dwelling is occupied year-round.
Mortgage / mo
$1,192
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$240
Census 2021
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$543
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
19.1%
Unoccupied
138
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.4%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
24.3%
Couples with children
62.4%
Couples, no children
11.5%
Single parent
375
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Forrest Beach's largest recorded industry at 18.8%, or 58 workers, followed by Education at 15.3% and 47 workers, Manufacturing at 12.7% and 39, Construction at 11.4% and 35, and Public Administration at 8.8% and 27. The main occupations are Trades with 87 workers, Professionals with 80, Community and Personal Service with 67, Machinery Operators and Drivers with 58, and Labourers with 55. Unemployment is 4.5%, but participation is only 41.9%, with 579 people outside the labour force, consistent with a median age of 57. Compared with national socioeconomic rankings, IEO is in decile 10, IER in decile 9, IRSD in decile 10 and IRSAD in decile 10. The contrast between those top deciles and household income at the 10th percentile means income alone understates the area's broader socioeconomic position.
Unemployment
4.5%
Labour Force
492
Unemployed
22
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.2%
Part-time
30.4%
Participation
41.9%
Employed
470
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
18.2%
Postgraduate
3.4%
Born Overseas
13.4%
Dwellings
578
Transport to Work
Daily life in Forrest Beach is strongly car-led: 83.0% of workers drive, compared with 1.2% using public transport and 5.4% walking or cycling. The suburb covers 45.46 square kilometres at a density of 30.0 residents per square kilometre, which helps explain the limited transit and the need to plan errands around driving. Forrest Beach State School is the named local government school; families should confirm enrolment zones, year levels and transport for the exact address. Community participation is supported by a volunteering rate of 21.5%, while 10.3% of residents need assistance. Compared with denser suburbs, the setting provides more space but fewer walkable daily services. IRSAD is in decile 10, indicating a strong overall amenity and advantage profile.
Drive
83.0%
Public Transport
1.2%
Walk / Cycle
5.4%
Work from Home
4.7%
Growth Outlook
Forrest Beach follows an established, Aging trajectory rather than a gentrification cycle. The annual growth trend is 1.59%, with migration described as Balanced, while population change across the wider area runs at 24.5% over ten years. The senior share has risen by 8.5 percentage points, while the young and working shares have each fallen by 2.7 points. These shifts indicate that demand is more likely to be shaped by older households, retirees and established residents than by a rapid inflow of young families. Compared with high-change growth corridors, the gentrification score of 0 and stage of Not gentrifying point to limited investor-led transformation. Rent growth of 2.7% suggests gradual rather than aggressive market pressure.
Population trend: Hinchinbrook council area
Forrest Beach sits in the Hinchinbrook council area. These are the council area's residents, not Forrest Beach's.
Residents 2025
11,194
Growth, 5 yr average
+0.5%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+0.6%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Forrest Beach compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forrest Beach a good suburb to live in?
Forrest Beach can suit residents seeking detached homes, space and a quieter coastal setting. It has 91.3% separate houses, a median age of 57 and an IRSAD ranking of decile 10. Daily life is car-dependent, with 83.0% driving and only 1.2% using public transport, so it may be less suitable for households wanting frequent transit or walkable services.
What is the median house price in Forrest Beach?
There is no reliable median house price figure to quote for Forrest Beach. Check recent comparable sales before making an offer, and allow for property-specific costs. As an affordability reference, rent is $240 per week and the indicative mortgage cost is $1,192 per month.
What schools are in Forrest Beach?
Forrest Beach State School is the named local school and is a government school. Confirm enrolment zones, year levels, available programs and transport for the exact address, particularly when planning for children at different stages. The suburb has 1,364 residents and a median age of 57, so household education needs vary.
Is Forrest Beach safe?
Check recent Queensland Police Service figures and speak with local residents before making a decision about safety. Forrest Beach has 1,364 residents across 45.46 square kilometres, so local conditions can vary between streets and surrounding areas. Also inspect lighting, road access and the property's security features during an in-person visit.
Is Forrest Beach good for property investment?
Forrest Beach needs careful rental due diligence. Rent is $240 per week, 23.3% of dwellings are rented and vacancy is 19.1%, which is high compared with tightly held markets. Growth is 1.59% annually, rental growth is 2.7% and development activity is 0 projects over 12 months, so returns depend heavily on the purchase price and letting strategy.
How is Forrest Beach's population changing?
The wider area's annual growth trend is 1.59%, with migration classified as Balanced and population change of 24.5% over ten years. Forrest Beach is following an Aging trajectory: the senior share has risen 8.5 percentage points, while the young share has fallen 2.7 points. The gentrification score is 0 and the stage is Not gentrifying.
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).
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