Lake Haven
Lake Haven's most distinctive feature is its older, owner-oriented profile: the median age is 49, 36.3% of homes are owned outright and 72.0% are separate houses. Its 3,529 residents live at a density of 2,054.9 people per square kilometre, while household income sits at the 13.6th percentile nationally. Compared with nearby Gorokan and Charmhaven, Lake Haven reads as a compact detached-housing pocket rather than a high-rise market. Healthcare accounts for 25.7% of local jobs, and 34 development applications in 12 months point to continued commercial activity. The trade-off is housing pressure, with mortgage commitments at 38.4% of household income and rent at 34.2%.
Population
3,529
Median Age
49.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,023/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
33
Lake Haven suits buyers prioritising established detached housing over apartment living. Separate houses make up 72.0% of dwellings, compared with 4.6% apartments and 23.4% semi-detached homes. The bedroom mix is practical, with 45.6% of properties containing 3 bedrooms and 32.4% containing 4 or more. That layout supports families, downsizers and households wanting extra space, while 36.3% outright ownership points to a settled local base. A monthly mortgage of $1,700 is associated with a 38.4% mortgage-to-income ratio, higher than the 34.2% rent-to-income measure. No current median house price is stated, so buyers should compare recent sales carefully against the weekly household income of $1,023.
For Buyers
Lake Haven suits buyers prioritising established detached housing over apartment living. Separate houses make up 72.0% of dwellings, compared with 4.6% apartments and 23.4% semi-detached homes. The bedroom mix is practical, with 45.6% of properties containing 3 bedrooms and 32.4% containing 4 or more. That layout supports families, downsizers and households wanting extra space, while 36.3% outright ownership points to a settled local base. A monthly mortgage of $1,700 is associated with a 38.4% mortgage-to-income ratio, higher than the 34.2% rent-to-income measure. No current median house price is stated, so buyers should compare recent sales carefully against the weekly household income of $1,023.
For Investors
Lake Haven has a mixed investment profile because tenant demand is balanced by a relatively visible vacancy allowance. Rent is $350 per week and 36.1% of occupied dwellings are rented, while the vacancy rate is 7.2%, higher than a tightly supplied market would normally indicate. Development activity is notable, with 34 applications recorded over 12 months, including food, restaurant and retail uses that may strengthen local convenience. Healthcare employs 25.7% of listed workers and construction 11.7%, supporting essential service demand. Rental stress reaches 34.2%, which may support tenant demand but also limits affordability. No annual migration forecast is stated, so returns should be tested using current rent, vacancy and purchase costs rather than assumed growth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
120
Last 12 Months
33
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+26.9%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Lake Haven
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Lake Haven has an older resident base, with a median age of 49, which is 9.0 years above the national comparison. University participation is 12.0%, or 18.1 percentage points below the national figure, while the overseas-born share is 16.5%, 5.1 points below nationally. Average household size is 2.2 people, 0.3 below the national comparison, consistent with the large number of couples without children and mature households. English ancestry is recorded for 1,447 residents, followed by Irish at 365 and Scottish at 353. Christianity counts 1,896 people and no religion 1,194. Residential continuity is high: 79.6% stayed at the same address, compared with 20.4% turnover, helping explain the suburb's settled character.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
72.0%
Houses
23.4%
Townhouse
4.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Lake Haven's housing stock is predominantly detached, with 72.0% separate houses, 23.4% semi-detached dwellings and 4.6% apartments. Compared with an apartment-led suburb, this form gives buyers more access to 3-bedroom homes, which account for 45.6% of properties, and 4-bedroom-plus homes at 32.4%. Tenure is divided between outright owners at 36.3%, mortgaged households at 24.6% and renters at 36.1%, with 3.0% in other arrangements. The weekly household income is $1,023, against weekly rent of $350 and a monthly mortgage of $1,700. Because rent-to-income stress is 34.2% and mortgage stress is 38.4%, affordability is a more important consideration than dwelling size alone.
Mortgage / mo
$1,700
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $350.
$580
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $600 · units $500
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$550
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.2%
Unoccupied
113
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
34.2% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
38.4% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.4%
Couples with children
40.8%
Couples, no children
30.6%
Single parent
936
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Lake Haven's leading industry at 25.7%, employing 167 people, more than construction at 11.7% and 76 workers. Retail contributes 9.7% and 63 workers, education 7.9% and 51, while manufacturing accounts for 7.4% and 48. The largest occupations are labourers at 164, community and personal service workers at 163, clerical and administrative workers at 155, trades at 153 and professionals at 134. Of a labour force of 1,210, unemployment is 6.8% and participation is 40.8%; 611 workers are full-time and 351 part-time. The 1,450 people not in the labour force is high compared with the active workforce, which fits the suburb's median age of 49 and helps explain its service-oriented economy.
Unemployment
6.8%
Labour Force
1,210
Unemployed
82
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
54.2%
Part-time
31.1%
Participation
40.8%
Employed
1,128
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
12.0%
Postgraduate
2.6%
Born Overseas
16.5%
Dwellings
1,446
Transport to Work
Lake Haven is strongly car-dependent: 70.3% of residents travel as car drivers, compared with 1.0% using public transport and 3.6% walking or cycling. A further 19.8% work from home, which may reduce commuting for some households but does not replace the need for a vehicle. One government secondary school is identified locally, so families should check enrolment zones and nearby primary options against the exact address. Compared with a transit-oriented suburb, daily access is likely to be more practical by car. The median age of 49 and average household size of 2.2 support a quieter, mature household profile. A current crime rate is not stated, so street-level checks and local conversations remain important for safety decisions.
Drive
70.3%
Public Transport
1.0%
Walk / Cycle
3.6%
Work from Home
19.8%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Lake Haven compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Haven a good suburb to live in?
Lake Haven may suit residents seeking detached housing and a settled environment. The median age is 49, 72.0% of dwellings are separate houses and 70.3% of commuters drive. The main compromises are car dependence, a 7.2% vacancy rate and housing stress of 34.2% for renters and 38.4% for mortgage holders.
What is the median house price in Lake Haven?
A current median house price is not stated. Lake Haven has 72.0% separate houses, with 45.6% of dwellings containing 3 bedrooms and 32.4% containing 4 or more. Buyers should compare recent sales with the weekly household income of $1,023 and the recorded monthly mortgage commitment of $1,700.
What schools are in Lake Haven?
One government secondary school is identified locally: Gorokan High School. Families should confirm the exact enrolment zone because school boundaries can differ from suburb boundaries. Check primary options, transport and current enrolment requirements for the specific address rather than relying only on the 1 listed secondary school.
Is Lake Haven safe?
A current suburb-level crime rate is not stated, so the available figures cannot establish whether Lake Haven is safe. The suburb has 3,529 residents and a median age of 49, but those measures are not safety indicators. Check recent incidents, lighting, traffic conditions and street-level activity before choosing a property.
Is Lake Haven good for property investment?
Lake Haven has potential but requires careful numbers-based assessment. Rent is $350 per week, 36.1% of dwellings are rented and vacancy is 7.2%, which is higher than a tightly supplied market. There were 34 development applications over 12 months, while rental stress reached 34.2%. Compare yield, costs and vacancy before buying.
How is Lake Haven's population changing?
The current population is 3,529. Residential continuity is relatively high, with 79.6% of residents staying at the same address and 20.4% turnover. Commercial activity is also present through 34 development applications over 12 months. No annual growth rate or migration driver is stated, so future population change should not be assumed.
What development is occurring in Lake Haven?
There were 34 development applications in the past 12 months. The recorded examples include a food and drink premises, a restaurant or cafe change of use, and a specialised retail premise. This points to commercial and convenience activity rather than a confirmed large housing expansion, so buyers should check the address and approval status carefully.
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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