Lake Cathie
An older, detached coastal market, Lake Cathie has a median age of 52, 4,296 residents and a density of 223.8 people per square kilometre. Its 91.1% separate-house share and 52.9% outright ownership point to long-term, owner-oriented households, while 43.9% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms. Compared with larger Port Macquarie, the locality is smaller in scale and more car dependent, with 77.8% driving to work and only 1.2% using public transport. The pattern is shaped by established residents because 79.1% stayed at the same address five years earlier, although 70 development applications in 12 months indicate ongoing change. Household income sits at the 29.1st percentile nationally, below the broader national position, so buyers should weigh coastal appeal against borrowing capacity.
Population
4,296
Median Age
52.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,275/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
69
Lake Cathie suits buyers prioritising a detached home, established ownership and space over apartment access. The median age is 52 and 91.1% of dwellings are separate houses, while 43.9% contain four or more bedrooms and 33.1% contain three. That mix supports families, downsizers wanting yards and multigenerational households, but it can limit low-maintenance choice compared with denser Port Macquarie. The local mortgage measure is $1,850 monthly, and repayments absorb 33.5% of household income, above the 29.8% rent-to-income measure. With household income at the 29.1st percentile nationally and 52.9% owning outright, affordability varies sharply between debt-free owners and new borrowers. Inspect drainage, flood exposure and insurance carefully before committing, particularly near waterways.
For Buyers
Lake Cathie suits buyers prioritising a detached home, established ownership and space over apartment access. The median age is 52 and 91.1% of dwellings are separate houses, while 43.9% contain four or more bedrooms and 33.1% contain three. That mix supports families, downsizers wanting yards and multigenerational households, but it can limit low-maintenance choice compared with denser Port Macquarie. The local mortgage measure is $1,850 monthly, and repayments absorb 33.5% of household income, above the 29.8% rent-to-income measure. With household income at the 29.1st percentile nationally and 52.9% owning outright, affordability varies sharply between debt-free owners and new borrowers. Inspect drainage, flood exposure and insurance carefully before committing, particularly near waterways.
For Investors
Rental investors get a mixed signal. Weekly rent is $380 and vacancy is 8.7%, a higher level than a tightly supplied market would typically show, giving tenants more choice. Renting accounts for 17.3% of occupied dwellings, below outright ownership at 52.9%, so the suburb is more owner-led than renter-led. Development activity is material, with 70 applications in the latest 12-month count, including a dwelling house and swimming pool, which can add amenity but also future competition. The 52-year median age and 79.1% five-year address stability support demand from established households, while 15.0% working from home may suit flexible employment. Compared with Port Macquarie, Lake Cathie is a smaller, detached market, so investors should test tenant depth, resale liquidity, insurance and maintenance rather than rely on yield alone.
Development Activity
Total DAs
578
Last 12 Months
69
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-11.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Lake Cathie
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Lake Cathie has an older age profile, with a median age of 52, or 12 years above the national comparison. Its average household size is 2.4 people, 0.1 below the national figure, and couples without children make up 54.2% of families, compared with 31.5% for couples with children. English, Scottish and Irish ancestries account for 1,970, 562 and 509 responses respectively, while 11.0% of residents were born overseas, 10.6 percentage points below the national comparison. University qualification prevalence is 22.9%, 7.2 points below the national comparison. Compared with nearby Port Macquarie, Lake Cathie's 52-year median age and 79.1% address stability point to a more settled local rhythm. That pattern can support local clubs and services, but businesses should plan for an older customer base and modest household sizes.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
91.1%
Houses
5.4%
Townhouse
3.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Detached housing dominates Lake Cathie: 91.1% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 5.4% semi-detached and 3.6% apartments. The bedroom profile is correspondingly spacious, with 43.9% at four or more bedrooms, 33.1% at three and 21.4% at two. Tenure is owner-oriented, with 52.9% owned outright, 27.7% mortgaged and 17.3% rented. That structure reflects a mature resident base because the median age is 52 and 79.1% stayed at the same address five years earlier. Housing costs still need scrutiny: the $1,850 monthly mortgage measure absorbs 33.5% of household income, above the 29.8% rent-to-income measure, while household income ranks at the 29.1st percentile nationally. Compared with Port Macquarie, Lake Cathie has less apartment diversity and more conventional house stock, favouring space but reducing entry-level choice.
Mortgage / mo
$1,850
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $380.
$680
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $685
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$658
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.7%
Unoccupied
163
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
33.5% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
31.5%
Couples with children
54.2%
Couples, no children
13.0%
Single parent
1,325
Total families
Economy & Employment
Lake Cathie's employment base is anchored by healthcare at 20.2% of industry employment, followed by education at 16.1% and construction at 13.9%; retail contributes 6.2% and public administration 5.6%. These sectors connect local jobs to care, schools, building and services because the suburb's older resident base creates steady demand for health and community work. Occupations are led by professionals at 353, trades at 250, community and personal service at 242, clerical and administration at 226, and managers at 164. The unemployment rate is 5.2%, while participation is 49.2%, below a more labour-force-intensive profile. Full-time work accounts for 53.5% and part-time work for 654 employed people, alongside 15.0% working from home. Household income sits at the 29.1st percentile nationally, below the national midpoint, so local spending may be more value-conscious than in higher-income coastal markets.
Unemployment
5.2%
Labour Force
1,771
Unemployed
92
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
53.5%
Part-time
39.0%
Participation
49.2%
Employed
1,679
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
22.9%
Postgraduate
4.0%
Born Overseas
11.0%
Dwellings
1,712
Transport to Work
Day-to-day life is strongly car based. A total of 77.8% of commuters drive, compared with 1.2% using public transport and 1.6% walking or cycling, so access to work, shopping and services is more practical by car than by transit. Work from home reaches 15.0%, which softens that dependence for some households. Local school provision includes 1 government primary school, Lake Cathie Public School. Families seeking secondary or alternative sectors should check enrolment zones and travel times against the exact address. The median age of 52 and 19.2% volunteering can support community participation, but 7.2% of residents need assistance, making proximity to health and support services important. Compared with larger Port Macquarie, local amenity is more limited in scale, so residents should plan regular trips for broader retail, medical and education choices. For safety, inspect streets at different times and consult current NSW Police information before renting or buying.
Drive
77.8%
Public Transport
1.2%
Walk / Cycle
1.6%
Work from Home
15.0%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Lake Cathie compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Cathie a good suburb to live in?
Lake Cathie can suit households seeking a quieter, owner-oriented setting, especially with 91.1% separate houses, a median age of 52 and 77.8% car commuting. The trade-off is fewer transport and service options than larger Port Macquarie, so inspect the exact address, school route and weekly travel needs before deciding.
What is the median house price in Lake Cathie?
Check recent settled sales for the current median house price rather than relying on an outdated figure. Lake Cathie has 91.1% separate houses, 43.9% with four or more bedrooms and a $380 weekly rent measure, so property type and land size can materially affect the suburb-wide median.
What schools are in Lake Cathie?
The local school provision includes 1 government primary school, Lake Cathie Public School. Families should confirm the catchment for the exact address and plan secondary-school travel separately, because a primary campus does not provide the same access as a full K to 12 school.
Is Lake Cathie safe?
Use current NSW Police information and visit at different times before deciding, because safety can vary by street and incident patterns change. Lake Cathie has 4,296 residents and 79.1% five-year address stability, but those figures do not measure crime, so they should not replace street-level checks.
Is Lake Cathie good for property investment?
Lake Cathie may suit a long-term investor comfortable with a detached, owner-led market, but the indicators are mixed. Weekly rent is $380, vacancy is 8.7% and renting is 17.3%, while 70 development applications in 12 months may add supply. Test insurance, maintenance, tenant depth and resale demand against the purchase price.
How is Lake Cathie's population changing?
Lake Cathie has 4,296 residents today, with a median age of 52 and 79.1% of residents remaining at the same address five years earlier. Population change appears gradual rather than driven by rapid turnover, although 70 development applications in 12 months indicate new building activity. Track approvals, completions and school or road capacity over time.
What development is happening in Lake Cathie?
The 12-month development count is 70, with examples including a dwelling house, a new structure and a swimming pool. That points to ongoing small-scale building rather than a single project type. Check council registers for status, conditions and construction timing before relying on a proposed change.
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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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