Holgate
With household income at the 96.9th percentile nationally, Holgate stands out as a high-income, low-density Central Coast suburb. Its 1,023 residents have a median age of 43, while density is just 113.1 people per square kilometre. Housing is strongly detached, with 97.4% of homes classified as separate houses and 78.2% containing four or more bedrooms. Compared with nearby Erina's more concentrated town-centre setting, Holgate has a larger-home, family-oriented profile, supported by 52.3% of households holding a mortgage and an average household size of 3.3.
Local council: Central Coast (NSW)
Population
1,023
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,951/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
11
Holgate suits buyers seeking detached space rather than compact or apartment-style stock. Separate houses account for 97.4% of dwellings, while 78.2% have four or more bedrooms, so the suburb is better matched to families needing multiple living and sleeping zones than to downsizers seeking low-maintenance housing. The average household size is 3.3, and 57.8% of families are couples with children, reinforcing that pattern. A monthly mortgage figure of $3,000 and a mortgage-to-income share of 23.5% provide useful affordability markers, with mortgage stress flagged false. Compared with apartment-oriented markets, buyers should allow for larger land and upkeep commitments.
For Buyers
Holgate suits buyers seeking detached space rather than compact or apartment-style stock. Separate houses account for 97.4% of dwellings, while 78.2% have four or more bedrooms, so the suburb is better matched to families needing multiple living and sleeping zones than to downsizers seeking low-maintenance housing. The average household size is 3.3, and 57.8% of families are couples with children, reinforcing that pattern. A monthly mortgage figure of $3,000 and a mortgage-to-income share of 23.5% provide useful affordability markers, with mortgage stress flagged false. Compared with apartment-oriented markets, buyers should allow for larger land and upkeep commitments.
For Investors
Holgate's investment profile is shaped by limited rental supply and a detached-home market. Only 4.0% of occupied dwellings are rented, the weekly rent is $335, and vacancy is 3.3%, so tenant demand may be relatively sensitive to the small number of available properties. Development activity reached 12 applications over 12 months, including a detached dual-occupancy proposal for 2 dwellings, but this is modest compared with more intensively developing corridors. With 97.4% separate houses and 78.2% four-plus-bedroom homes, the suburb is more likely to appeal to family tenants than to apartment renters. Compared with higher-rental suburbs, investors should prioritise holding quality, tenant fit and recent comparable sales rather than assuming strong yield.
Development Activity
Total DAs
73
Last 12 Months
11
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-15.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Holgate
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Holgate has an older age profile than the national average, with a median age of 43, or 3 years above the national figure. University attainment is 44.9%, 14.8 percentage points higher than the national comparison, while the overseas-born share is 17.3%, 4.3 points below the national level. English ancestry is reported by 480 people, followed by Irish at 146 and Scottish at 117. Families with children account for 57.8% of families, helping explain the household size of 3.3, which is 0.8 above the national comparison. Residential stability is also pronounced, with 82.1% staying at the same address. Compared with nearby Erina, Holgate presents a more settled and family-centred demographic pattern.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
97.4%
Houses
1.3%
Townhouse
1.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Holgate's housing stock is unusually concentrated in large detached dwellings. Separate houses make up 97.4% of homes, apartments 1.3% and semi-detached dwellings 1.3%; 78.2% of properties have four or more bedrooms, compared with only 15.5% with three bedrooms. Tenure is weighted toward ownership, with 42.6% owned outright and 52.3% under mortgage, while renting accounts for just 4.0%. The average mortgage is $3,000 per month and mortgage payments represent 23.5% of household income, above the 11.4% rent-to-income share, while both stress flags remain false. Compared with apartment-heavy suburbs, Holgate requires buyers to assess land, maintenance and renovation costs alongside recent house sales.
Mortgage / mo
$3,000
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $335.
$650
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $693 · units $600
HH Size
3.3
Personal Income / wk
$976
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.3%
Unoccupied
10
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
11.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.5%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
57.8%
Couples with children
31.0%
Couples, no children
10.8%
Single parent
287
Total families
Economy & Employment
Holgate's workforce is concentrated in health, education and skilled services. Healthcare accounts for 20.3% of employment, followed by education at 15.0%, construction at 13.1%, professional and technical services at 11.4%, and public administration at 6.7%. This mix aligns with 168 professionals, 87 managers, 69 clerical and administrative workers, 54 trades workers and 42 community or personal service workers. Labour-force participation is 65.6%, unemployment is 3.2%, and 240 workers are employed full time compared with 195 part time. Household income sits at the 96.9th percentile, well above the national position, likely supporting the suburb's high ownership and large-home profile. Compared with lower-income areas, Holgate has stronger capacity for mortgage service and discretionary spending.
Unemployment
3.2%
Labour Force
531
Unemployed
17
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
46.7%
Part-time
37.9%
Participation
65.6%
Employed
514
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
44.9%
Postgraduate
14.7%
Born Overseas
17.3%
Dwellings
304
Transport to Work
Holgate offers a low-density, car-oriented setting suited to households that value space and home-based work. About 52.1% of residents drive a car, only 1.5% walk or cycle to work, and 44.5% work from home, so daily convenience is likely to depend more on private vehicles than on walking access. Holgate Public School provides one local government primary-school option; families should check enrolment zones against the exact address and compare nearby schools where needed. No crime rate or SEIFA decile is stated, so safety decisions should rely on current local incidents rather than assumptions. Compared with denser urban suburbs, Holgate's 113.1 people per square kilometre and 97.4% separate-house share support a quieter residential environment, but with less walkable amenity.
Drive
52.1%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
1.5%
Work from Home
44.5%
Growth Outlook
Holgate has 1,023 residents today, with 82.1% staying at the same address and a turnover rate of 17.9%. Twelve development applications over 12 months indicate ongoing, small-scale building activity, including a dual occupancy involving 2 dwellings. An annual growth rate, primary migration driver, gentrification stage and shift trajectory are not published for Holgate, so forward growth should not be overstated. Compared with fast-expanding development corridors, the combination of low density at 113.1 people per square kilometre and limited recent application volume points to a more measured change profile. The suburb's age of 43 also suggests demand will depend on family formation, downsizing and local housing turnover.
Population trend: Central Coast (NSW) council area
Holgate sits in the Central Coast (NSW) council area. These are the council area's residents, not Holgate's.
Residents 2025
357,816
Growth, 5 yr average
+0.6%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+0.7%
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 Holgate compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Holgate a good suburb to live in?
Holgate suits households wanting space, detached housing and a settled environment. Separate houses account for 97.4% of dwellings, the median age is 43 and 44.5% of residents work from home. Compared with denser suburbs, it is less walkable and more car-dependent, with 52.1% driving to work.
What is the median house price in Holgate?
A dependable current median house price is not stated, so buyers should check recent settled sales before budgeting. Holgate is 97.4% separate houses and 78.2% four-plus-bedroom homes, making direct comparisons with apartment-heavy suburbs less reliable. The typical mortgage payment is $3,000 per month.
What schools are in Holgate?
Holgate has 1 named local school, Holgate Public School, which is a government primary school. Check enrolment zones against the exact address because catchments can cross suburb boundaries. With density of 113.1 people per square kilometre, families may also compare schools in nearby Central Coast suburbs.
Is Holgate safe?
A definitive safety rating cannot be given because a current crime rate is not stated. Holgate has a low density of 113.1 people per square kilometre and 82.1% of residents stayed at the same address, indicating residential stability. Compared with denser areas, the setting is quieter, but current incident records should guide safety decisions.
Is Holgate good for property investment?
Holgate may suit investors targeting detached family housing, but the rental pool is small. Only 4.0% of dwellings are rented, weekly rent is $335 and vacancy is 3.3%. Twelve development applications were recorded over 12 months. Compared with higher-rental suburbs, investors should assess tenant demand and recent sales carefully rather than assume a strong yield.
How is Holgate's population changing?
Holgate has 1,023 residents today, with 82.1% staying at the same address and turnover of 17.9%. Twelve development applications over 12 months suggest some construction activity, including a proposed 2-dwelling dual occupancy. An annual growth rate and migration driver are not stated, so change appears more measured than in fast-expanding corridors.
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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