Morisset
With a median age of 53, Morisset sits 13 years above the national average, making it one of the oldest demographic profiles in NSW. Household income falls in just the 11.2nd percentile nationally, yet 46.8% of residents own their home outright, a sign that long-term owners have accumulated equity well ahead of their income tier. The suburb covers 27 square kilometres with a population of 4,078, giving a low density of 150 residents per km2. Population growth of 2.04% annually ranks above the pace of many established NSW communities, driven primarily by internal migration of 737 net arrivals each year.
Population
4,078
Median Age
53.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$959/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
94
Median House
$875K
12m to Jun 2026 (PSI)
The median house price is $712,000 based on 2024-2025 PSI data, sitting below the broader NSW coastal average for the Lake Macquarie region. Prices tracked at $750,000 in 2024 before easing to $667,150 in 2025, an 11% correction that may open entry points for buyers who missed the prior peak. Separate houses dominate at 74.9% of stock, with semi-detached dwellings at 21.6% and apartments at just 2.7%, so supply is strongly detached. Two-bedroom dwellings account for 38% and three-bedroom for 33.9%, meaning the stock skews toward smaller homes rather than the four-plus bedroom family market at 24.3%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,647, but the mortgage-to-income ratio reaches 39.7%, above the standard 30% stress threshold, reflecting the gap between local incomes and purchase prices.
For Buyers
The median house price is $712,000 based on 2024-2025 PSI data, sitting below the broader NSW coastal average for the Lake Macquarie region. Prices tracked at $750,000 in 2024 before easing to $667,150 in 2025, an 11% correction that may open entry points for buyers who missed the prior peak. Separate houses dominate at 74.9% of stock, with semi-detached dwellings at 21.6% and apartments at just 2.7%, so supply is strongly detached. Two-bedroom dwellings account for 38% and three-bedroom for 33.9%, meaning the stock skews toward smaller homes rather than the four-plus bedroom family market at 24.3%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,647, but the mortgage-to-income ratio reaches 39.7%, above the standard 30% stress threshold, reflecting the gap between local incomes and purchase prices.
For Investors
A 36.2% renter share provides a broad tenant base, with weekly rent at $380. Against the $712,000 median, that translates to a gross yield of roughly 2.8%, modest but higher than inner-city Sydney markets. The vacancy rate of 7.3% is elevated compared to the national average and signals soft demand in the rental pool, which investors should weigh carefully. Development activity is active with 87 applications lodged in the past 12 months, including dual-occupancy complying development certificates, suggesting owners are subdividing and adding density. Net internal migration of 737 residents per year is the primary demand driver, well above the 68 net overseas arrivals annually, pointing to a locally driven market rather than an immigration-led one.
Development Activity
Total DAs
451
Last 12 Months
94
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+54.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Morisset iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Heritage College Lake Macquarie
K-12 · 511 students
St John Vianney Primary School
K-6 · 118 students
Morisset High School
7-12 · 687 students
Morisset Public School
K-6 · 156 students
Demographics
The median age of 53 is 13 years above the national figure, and the aging trajectory is confirmed by the senior share rising 3.7 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 1.5 points. Overseas-born residents make up just 15.7% of the population, which is 5.9 points below the national average, reflecting the strongly Anglo-Celtic character seen in ancestry data: English (1,818 residents), Irish (458) and Scottish (431) lead all groups. University qualifications reach only 19.1%, which is 11 points below the national rate, consistent with the SEIFA IEO decile 4 ranking for educational opportunity. Average household size of 2.1 persons is 0.4 below the national figure, and 35.2% of families are couples without children, a ratio typical of older suburbs where children have left home.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
74.9%
Houses
21.6%
Townhouse
2.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is unusual: 46.8% own outright, 17% carry a mortgage and 36.2% rent. The outright-ownership rate is exceptionally high compared to national norms, reflecting decades of long-term residents who have paid off their homes. The stock is 74.9% separate houses with minimal apartments at 2.7%, so the market trades primarily in detached properties. Two-bedroom dwellings at 38% lead the mix, ahead of three-bedroom at 33.9% and four-plus at 24.3%. The price fell 11% from $750,000 in 2024 to $667,150 in 2025, contrasting with the broader NSW trend of rising prices. Rent stress affects a notable share of tenants, with rent-to-income at 39.6%, above the 30% threshold.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General (12m to Jun 2026 (PSI))
Mortgage / mo
$1,647
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (January to March 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $380.
$610
Bond data Mar 2026 · houses $628
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$564
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.3%
Unoccupied
134
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
39.6% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
39.7% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
35.2%
Couples, no children
2,661
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates local employment at 27.6% of workers (210 people), more than double the next sector, Construction at 10.6% (81 workers) and Education at 9.1% (69 workers). This healthcare concentration is consistent with the older median age: an aging population generates proportionally more health-sector jobs. The unemployment rate stands at 9.7%, higher than state and national averages, and the participation rate is low at 34.7% because 1,968 residents are outside the labour force, mostly reflecting the retired population. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 4 places Morisset in the lower-disadvantage band compared to the national distribution, while the IRSAD decile of 4 confirms limited access to economic resources. Real income growth over the decade was 18.5%, above inflation, but income levels remain near the bottom nationally at the 11.2th percentile.
Unemployment
4.7%
Labour Force
9,329
Unemployed
435
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.7%
Part-time
32.6%
Participation
34.7%
Employed
1,098
Occupations
Top Industries
University
19.1%
Postgraduate
4.5%
Born Overseas
15.7%
Dwellings
1,684
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high: 86.2% of residents drive to work, compared to just 2.4% using public transport, reflecting the suburb's low density of 150 residents per km2 across 27 square kilometres with limited transit infrastructure. Walking and cycling account for 4.1% of commutes. The IRSAD decile of 4 places Morisset in the lower-advantage tier nationally. Volunteering is above many comparable suburbs at 14.1%, and 15.9% of residents (612 people) require daily assistance, a figure higher than average and consistent with the aging profile where median age is 13 years above national. Rent-to-income stress at 39.6% affects a material share of the 36.2% renter base. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset.
Drive
86.2%
Public Transport
2.4%
Walk / Cycle
4.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.04%/yr
(+430 people/yr)
EstablishedAnnual population growth is 2.04%, adding approximately 430 people per year and ranking above many established NSW suburbs of similar size. The broader SA2 population grew from 19,421 in 2023 to 21,067 in 2025, a 8.5% rise in just two years. Medium forecasts project the area reaching 22,789 by 2031. Internal migration of 737 net residents per year is the dominant engine, compared to just 68 net overseas arrivals annually, suggesting the suburb is attracting tree-changers and retirees from metropolitan areas rather than international migrants. Gentrification is classified as Active with a score of 59, backed by signals including population growth of 46% since 2011 and accelerating share of newer arrivals. Affordability has worsened slightly, rising from 54.7% of income in 2011 to 57.6% in 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+68
Net Internal / yr
+737
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +46% since 2011, Net internal migration +737/yr, Accelerating: 6% → 38%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Morisset compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morisset a good suburb to live in?
Morisset suits retirees and owner-occupiers well, with 46.8% owning outright and a median age of 53, which is 13 years above the national average. The 7.3% vacancy rate and 9.7% unemployment suggest a soft local jobs market, so it is better suited to those not relying on local employment. The $712,000 median house price is accessible compared to major NSW cities.
What is the median house price in Morisset?
The median house price is $712,000 (2024-2025 PSI data). Prices peaked at $750,000 in 2024 then eased 11% to $667,150 in 2025. Weekly rent averages $380 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,647, though the mortgage-to-income ratio of 39.7% is above the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Morisset?
No schools are recorded inside the Morisset suburb boundary in this dataset. The local university qualification rate is 19.1%, which is 11 points below the national average, suggesting families typically rely on educational facilities in neighbouring Lake Macquarie suburbs for secondary and tertiary study.
Is Morisset safe?
Detailed crime rate data is not available for Morisset in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores SEIFA IRSD decile 4, placing it in the lower-advantage band compared to the national distribution. The 9.7% unemployment rate, higher than state averages, is worth noting as a social-disadvantage signal.
Is Morisset good for property investment?
Morisset offers a 36.2% renter base and weekly rent of $380, implying a gross yield near 2.8% against the $712,000 median. The 7.3% vacancy rate is elevated above healthy market thresholds. Internal migration of 737 net arrivals per year supports long-run demand, but the 11% price fall in 2025 and high rent stress at 39.6% of income are caution flags.
How is Morisset's population changing?
Population is growing at 2.04% annually, adding around 430 people per year. The broader area grew from 19,421 in 2023 to 21,067 in 2025 and is forecast to reach 22,789 by 2031. Growth is driven by internal migration of 737 net arrivals per year. The suburb is on an aging trajectory, with the senior share rising 3.7 points over the decade.
How much development is happening in Morisset?
There were 87 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including dual-occupancy complying development certificates indicating active densification. This rate is notable for a suburb of 4,078 residents and suggests owners are subdividing and adding dwellings, consistent with the 2.04% annual population growth.
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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