Lakewood
An older, owner-oriented residential pocket, Lakewood has 1,249 residents and a median age of 58, which is 18 years above the national figure. Separate houses make up 93.9% of dwellings and 58.0% of homes are owned outright. Compared with nearby Laurieton, that combination points to a more settled, low-density profile, reinforced by 82.2% of residents staying at the same address. Household income sits at the 14.2 percentile, so the suburb's appeal is tied to stability and housing form as much as price.
Local council: Port Macquarie-Hastings
Population
1,249
Median Age
58.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,036/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
11
Lakewood is better suited to buyers prioritising detached space and a settled streetscape than to those seeking apartments or a highly walkable, transit-led lifestyle. Separate houses account for 93.9% of dwellings, while 57.9% have 3 bedrooms and 31.7% have 4 or more, giving the stock a family-house bias. The $1,540 monthly mortgage and 34.3% mortgage-to-income measure require careful budgeting, especially with household income at $1,036 a week. Its average household size is 2.2, which is 0.3 below the national figure, so some larger homes may suit downsizers as well as families. Compared with a denser market, Lakewood's trade-off is space for car dependence.
For Buyers
Lakewood is better suited to buyers prioritising detached space and a settled streetscape than to those seeking apartments or a highly walkable, transit-led lifestyle. Separate houses account for 93.9% of dwellings, while 57.9% have 3 bedrooms and 31.7% have 4 or more, giving the stock a family-house bias. The $1,540 monthly mortgage and 34.3% mortgage-to-income measure require careful budgeting, especially with household income at $1,036 a week. Its average household size is 2.2, which is 0.3 below the national figure, so some larger homes may suit downsizers as well as families. Compared with a denser market, Lakewood's trade-off is space for car dependence.
For Investors
Lakewood's investment case is more defensive and yield-focused than growth-chasing. Weekly rent is $390, vacancy is 3.8%, and 16.9% of households rent, a share below the 58.0% owning outright. That smaller tenant pool may limit depth, but the low vacancy rate suggests available rentals are being absorbed. Recent development activity totals 12 applications in 12 months, with recorded examples including alterations, additions and a swimming pool rather than a clearly identified wave of new dwellings. Compared with a high-turnover rental market, the 17.8% resident turnover and 82.2% staying rate point to slower churn. Investors should stress-test repairs, insurance and holding costs because 37.6% rent-to-income and 34.3% mortgage-to-income are elevated household cost measures.
Development Activity
Total DAs
84
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
Demographics
Lakewood's demographic signature is older and more Anglo-Australian than the national profile. The median age is 58, or 18 years above national, while university attainment is 17.0%, 13.1 percentage points below national and overseas-born residents are 10.5%, 11.1 points below national. English ancestry is recorded for 582 people, followed by Irish at 174 and Scottish at 144. Christianity counts 712 people and no religion 419. An average household size of 2.2 is 0.3 below national, consistent with 59.2% of families being couples without children. Compared with a higher-turnover setting, Lakewood's 82.2% address-staying rate suggests a particularly stable resident base.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
93.9%
Houses
3.9%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Lakewood's housing stock is overwhelmingly detached, with 93.9% separate houses and 3.9% semi-detached dwellings. Tenure is similarly settled, with 58.0% owned outright, 22.9% mortgaged and 16.9% rented. The bedroom mix leans to 3-bedroom homes at 57.9%, followed by 4-plus bedrooms at 31.7%, so the suburb is less compact than a typical apartment-oriented market. Weekly rent is $390 and the vacancy rate is 3.8%, while the $1,540 monthly mortgage corresponds with a 34.3% mortgage-to-income measure. Compared with nearby Laurieton, Lakewood's detached share and outright ownership point to a more established housing pattern, although buyers should compare individual streets because dwelling condition and renovation levels can vary.
Mortgage / mo
$1,540
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $390.
$530
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $623
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$497
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.8%
Unoccupied
21
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
37.6% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
34.3% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.9%
Couples with children
59.2%
Couples, no children
12.9%
Single parent
373
Total families
Economy & Employment
Lakewood's local work profile is anchored by Healthcare at 20.7% of jobs, with Construction and Education each at 13.0%, Retail at 8.8% and Other Services at 7.7%. The occupation mix supports that pattern: Trades account for 77 workers, Professionals 63, Community and Personal roles 59, Labourers 50 and Clerical and Administration 38. Employment is split between 207 full-time and 168 part-time workers, while unemployment is 5.9% and participation is 38.7%. The 616 people not in the labour force helps explain why participation is below what a younger commuter suburb might record. Household income is $1,036 weekly at the 14.2 percentile, below the national midpoint, so local spending power is more constrained than the trade and service mix alone suggests. Compared with a higher-income area, healthcare and community roles may be especially important because the median age is 58.
Unemployment
5.9%
Labour Force
424
Unemployed
25
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
51.9%
Part-time
42.1%
Participation
38.7%
Employed
399
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
17.0%
Postgraduate
4.6%
Born Overseas
10.5%
Dwellings
510
Transport to Work
Livability in Lakewood is practical and car-oriented. About 81.4% of residents drive to work, compared with 0.8% using public transport and 4.2% walking or cycling; 9.9% work from home. That split means daily errands, medical access and school travel are likely to depend on a vehicle, while remote work provides some flexibility. Families should check exact enrolment zones, school sectors and travel times for the address rather than assuming suburb boundaries determine access. A median age of 58 and 9.4% needing assistance point to the value of nearby health, support and accessible services. Safety should be assessed through current local incident information and an inspection at different times, since age and transport patterns do not determine crime risk. Compared with a transit-rich suburb, Lakewood trades convenience for lower-density housing.
Drive
81.4%
Public Transport
0.8%
Walk / Cycle
4.2%
Work from Home
9.9%
Growth Outlook
Lakewood's near-term growth profile appears incremental rather than expansion-led. The suburb has 1,249 residents, 12 development applications across the latest 12 months and a 17.8% turnover rate, while 82.2% stayed at the same address. That pattern suggests change will come more from renovations, household replacement and gradual infill than from a large release of new housing, because recorded applications include sheds, alterations and a swimming pool rather than identified dwelling counts. Compared with a greenfield corridor, the development tempo is lower and the established housing base is more influential. The 93.9% separate-house share and median age of 58 reinforce a mature growth setting, where demand may be steady but land supply and construction scale should be checked carefully.
Population trend: Port Macquarie-Hastings council area
Lakewood sits in the Port Macquarie-Hastings council area. These are the council area's residents, not Lakewood's.
Residents 2025
92,432
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.6%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.5%
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 Lakewood compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lakewood a good suburb to live in?
Lakewood can suit people seeking detached housing, a settled resident base and lower-density living. It has 93.9% separate houses, a median age of 58 and 81.4% car-driver travel, so it is less suited to buyers prioritising frequent public transport or a highly walkable routine. Compare exact streets, services and travel times before deciding.
What is the median house price in Lakewood?
A current median house price should be checked against recent settled sales because Lakewood's stock varies by size. About 57.9% of dwellings have 3 bedrooms and 31.7% have 4 or more, so a single headline figure can conceal differences in land, condition and renovation level. Weekly rent is $390, which is useful as a market reference but is not a substitute for a sales-based median.
What schools are in Lakewood?
School access should be checked against the exact property address, enrolment zone and travel route. Lakewood is strongly car-oriented, with 81.4% driving and only 0.8% using public transport, so nearby options may be more practical by car than on foot or bus. Confirm the relevant government, independent or Catholic choices directly, including current intake rules and transport arrangements.
Is Lakewood safe?
Assess safety at street level using current incident information, lighting, traffic conditions and visits at different times. Lakewood's median age is 58 and 81.4% of workers drive, but neither measure proves that one street is safer than another. Ask local residents and check the specific route to shops, services and transport before renting or buying.
Is Lakewood good for property investment?
Lakewood may suit an investor seeking an established, lower-churn rental setting rather than a high-growth development play. Weekly rent is $390, vacancy is 3.8% and renting represents 16.9%, below the 58.0% outright-ownership share. There were 12 development applications over 12 months. Check insurance, maintenance and tenant depth carefully because the median age of 58 can influence upkeep and management needs.
How is Lakewood's population changing?
Lakewood appears relatively stable, with 82.2% of residents staying at the same address and turnover at 17.8%. Its population is 1,249 and the median age is 58, so change is more likely to reflect household replacement, ageing and renovations than rapid demographic churn. The 12 development applications in 12 months point to ongoing activity, but not a clearly identified large dwelling pipeline. Compared with a high-turnover growth area, the resident base is more settled.
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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