Frederickton
At a median age of 49, Frederickton runs 9 years older than the national figure, which shapes almost every other aspect of life here. Household income sits at the 18.1st percentile nationally, yet 43.1% of residents own their homes outright, a ratio that reflects decades of mortgage payoff rather than recent wealth. The suburb is overwhelmingly detached houses at 94.9%, spread across 12.26 km2 at a density of just 118 people per km2. With 1,452 residents, the community is small and stable: 77.5% of people stayed at the same address over the five-year census period, well above typical suburban turnover rates.
Population
1,452
Median Age
49.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,114/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
13
Median House
$558K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price of $557,500 sits well below NSW metro averages, making Frederickton one of the more accessible entry points in the mid-North Coast region. Price data shows a modest pullback, from $567,500 in 2024 to $540,000 in 2025, a 4.8% decline. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,339, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.8% stays below the 30% stress threshold despite household income at only the 18.1st percentile nationally. Stock is almost entirely separate houses at 94.9%, and three-bedroom homes account for 48.1% of dwellings, with four-plus bedrooms at 28.8%. Buyers choosing this suburb tend to prioritise space and affordability over proximity to city amenities.
For Buyers
The median house price of $557,500 sits well below NSW metro averages, making Frederickton one of the more accessible entry points in the mid-North Coast region. Price data shows a modest pullback, from $567,500 in 2024 to $540,000 in 2025, a 4.8% decline. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,339, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.8% stays below the 30% stress threshold despite household income at only the 18.1st percentile nationally. Stock is almost entirely separate houses at 94.9%, and three-bedroom homes account for 48.1% of dwellings, with four-plus bedrooms at 28.8%. Buyers choosing this suburb tend to prioritise space and affordability over proximity to city amenities.
For Investors
Rental demand here is modest, with 24.2% of dwellings rented at $330 per week. Against the $557,500 median, that implies a gross yield around 3.1%, above many coastal NSW markets but constrained by the thin local economy. The vacancy rate of 5.6% is elevated, indicating supply outpaces tenant demand at current rent levels. Only 12 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, so new supply is limited. The income base is low, at the 18.1st percentile nationally, which limits rent growth potential. The investment case is primarily one of affordable entry and yield rather than capital growth, given the recent 4.8% price decline from peak.
Development Activity
Total DAs
62
Last 12 Months
13
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+18.2%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Frederickton iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Frederickton Public School
K-6 · 130 students
Demographics
The median age of 49 is 9 years above the national figure, pointing to a resident base that has largely moved past child-rearing stage. Couples without children account for 34% of families, and couples with children make up a further 305 households within a total of 1,065 families. Overseas-born residents are just 7.6%, which is 14 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting the Anglo-Celtic heritage pattern common to inland NSW. English ancestry leads at 678 residents, followed by Irish at 163 and Scottish at 150. University qualifications reach only 11.5%, some 18.6 percentage points below the national rate, consistent with occupational structures that favour healthcare, trades and community roles over professional services.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.9%
Houses
2.5%
Townhouse
2.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure patterns reflect the older age profile: 43.1% of homes are owned outright, compared with only 32.7% carrying a mortgage, and 24.2% renting. The high outright-ownership rate places Frederickton well above the national average for debt-free homeownership. Stock is almost entirely separate houses at 94.9%, with apartments and semi-detached properties each at just 2.5%. Three-bedroom homes are most common at 48.1%, with four-plus bedrooms at 28.8% indicating families on larger blocks. The median price of $557,500 declined 4.8% from the 2024 peak of $567,500. Rent-to-income sits at 29.6%, just under the 30% stress threshold, meaning renters here are on a tighter budget than mortgage holders relative to their incomes.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,339
Rent / wk
$330
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$565
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.6%
Unoccupied
31
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.8%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
34.0%
Couples, no children
1,065
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates local employment at 28.3% of workers (90 people), more than double the next sector, Education at 11.6% (37 workers). Construction follows at 10.4% and Public Administration at 9.1%, rounding out the public-sector-heavy employment base. Community and personal service workers are the largest occupation group at 97, with professionals at 75 and labourers at 67. The unemployment rate of 6.5% sits above national averages, and the participation rate of just 43% reflects the older population, with 571 residents not in the labour force. Full-time employment accounts for 60.5% of employed people, and personal weekly income averages $565, placing household income at the 18.1st percentile nationally. The economy is driven by local service delivery rather than traded sectors.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.5%
Part-time
33.0%
Participation
43.0%
Employed
489
Occupations
Top Industries
University
11.5%
Postgraduate
3.0%
Born Overseas
7.6%
Dwellings
511
Transport to Work
Car reliance in Frederickton is extreme: 92.4% of residents drive to work, and only 0.7% use public transport, one of the lowest rates compared to regional NSW averages. The road-dependent pattern is typical of a low-density rural-fringe suburb at 118 residents per km2. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in the current dataset, so families depend on nearby Kempsey township for education. A notable 18.3% of residents (260 people) need daily assistance, significantly above typical suburban rates and consistent with the older median age of 49. Volunteering reaches 14.2% of the population, above the national average, suggesting a socially connected community. Housing costs are manageable, with mortgage-to-income at 27.8% below the stress threshold.
Drive
92.4%
Public Transport
0.7%
Walk / Cycle
1.0%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Frederickton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Frederickton a good suburb to live in?
Frederickton suits buyers seeking affordable, quiet, semi-rural living with low housing stress. The median house price of $557,500 is accessible, mortgage-to-income sits at 27.8% below the stress threshold, and 43.1% of residents own their homes outright. The trade-offs are low income levels at the 18.1st percentile nationally, minimal public transport at 0.7%, and an elevated assistance-need rate of 18.3%.
What is the median house price in Frederickton?
The median house price is $557,500, based on 2024-2025 PSI data. It eased 4.8% from $567,500 in 2024 to $540,000 in 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,339, and weekly rent is $330, giving an estimated gross yield of around 3.1% against the current median.
What schools are in Frederickton?
No schools are recorded within the Frederickton suburb boundary in the current dataset. With just 1,452 residents, families rely on nearby Kempsey for schooling options. The suburb's university qualification rate is 11.5%, which is 18.6 percentage points below the national figure.
Is Frederickton safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Frederickton in the current dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb has a high volunteering rate of 14.2% and a residential stability rate of 77.5% who stayed at the same address over five years, both consistent with a settled, low-transience community. SEIFA disadvantage scores are not available for this suburb.
Is Frederickton good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $330 against a $557,500 median implies a gross yield of around 3.1%, better than many coastal NSW markets, but the 5.6% vacancy rate signals soft demand. Only 12 development applications in the past 12 months limits new supply pressure. Household income sits at only the 18.1st percentile nationally, capping rent growth, and prices dipped 4.8% from the 2024 peak.
How is Frederickton's population changing?
Frederickton has a population of 1,452 with a high stability rate of 77.5% staying at the same address over five years, suggesting limited in or out migration compared to regional averages. No population growth forecast is available in the current dataset. The median age of 49 is 9 years above national, indicating a demographic profile that will see natural growth remain below the national rate.
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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