Redhead
A $1.6 million median house price combined with a median age of 48 tells the story of Redhead: a premium coastal suburb on the Lake Macquarie foreshore where long-term owner-occupiers dominate and newcomers are rare. At 57.3% outright ownership, this is well above average for NSW, and only 13.6% of residents rent, compared to the national renter share of roughly 30%. The suburb scores decile 7 on IRSD and IRSAD, placing it in the upper half nationally for both advantage and low disadvantage. Population sits at 3,785 across 3.68 square kilometres, giving a density of 1,027 people per km2, moderate for a coastal suburb.
Population
3,785
Median Age
48.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,598/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
59
Median House
$1.6M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price of $1.6 million as of 2024 declined to $1.53 million in 2025, a 4.4% fall over one year. That pullback reflects broader NSW coastal softening rather than a structural weakness, as the suburb's 57.3% outright ownership rate signals deeply entrenched long-term holders rather than speculative churn. Separate houses account for 93.3% of dwellings, with apartments at just 0.8%, so buyers are almost always buying detached homes. The bedroom split leans larger, with 40.3% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms, well above the national average, and 29.7% having three. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,300, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 33.2%, above the 30% stress threshold, which makes affordability tight even at this income level.
For Buyers
The median house price of $1.6 million as of 2024 declined to $1.53 million in 2025, a 4.4% fall over one year. That pullback reflects broader NSW coastal softening rather than a structural weakness, as the suburb's 57.3% outright ownership rate signals deeply entrenched long-term holders rather than speculative churn. Separate houses account for 93.3% of dwellings, with apartments at just 0.8%, so buyers are almost always buying detached homes. The bedroom split leans larger, with 40.3% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms, well above the national average, and 29.7% having three. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,300, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 33.2%, above the 30% stress threshold, which makes affordability tight even at this income level.
For Investors
With only 13.6% of residents renting and a vacancy rate of 3.4%, Redhead offers a thin rental market that limits yield potential. Weekly rent of $420 against a $1.53 million median implies a gross yield near 1.4%, very low. The 55 development applications lodged in the past 12 months cover additions and secondary dwellings rather than new supply, consistent with an established low-density suburb. Internal migration averages a net 72 arrivals per year, providing modest demand support, and overseas migration adds 18 per year. Rent grew 40% over the decade, faster than incomes, which suggests continued rental demand from the small tenant pool. The investment case rests on long-term capital preservation in a low-supply, high-ownership coastal market rather than yield.
Development Activity
Total DAs
295
Last 12 Months
59
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+34.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Redhead iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Redhead Public School
K-6 · 240 students
Demographics
The median age of 48 is 8 years above the national figure, one of the clearest signals of Redhead's demographic profile. The aging trajectory is confirmed by a 5.7-point rise in the senior share and a 4.1-point fall in the working-age share over the decade. University qualifications reach 32.9%, which is 2.8 percentage points above the national average, reflecting a professional resident base. Overseas-born residents are just 10.5%, which is 11.1 percentage points below the national figure, making this a strongly Anglo-heritage community: English ancestry leads at 1,685 residents, followed by Scottish (490) and Irish (403). Average household size of 2.4 is just below the national figure, consistent with the older couples and couples-with-children profile that dominates here, with 25.3% of families being couples without children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
93.3%
Houses
5.9%
Townhouse
0.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Owner-occupiers define Redhead's housing market: 57.3% own outright, 29.2% hold a mortgage, and just 13.6% rent, compared to national renter shares closer to 30%. Separate houses make up 93.3% of the stock, with semi-detached dwellings at 5.9% and apartments at only 0.8%, leaving almost no flat or unit supply. The bedroom composition skews large, with 40.3% of homes having four or more bedrooms and 29.7% having three, while two-bedroom homes account for 24.1%. The median house price fell from $1.6 million in 2024 to $1.53 million in 2025, a 4.4% decline. A vacancy rate of 3.4% is moderate, though the rental pool is small, and mortgage-to-income of 33.2% exceeds the stress threshold despite household income near the 52.5th percentile nationally.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,300
Rent / wk
$420
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$771
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.4%
Unoccupied
50
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
33.2% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.3%
Couples, no children
2,823
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 21.8% of workers (258 residents), followed by Education at 14.1% (167), Construction at 12.0% (142), Professional and Technical services at 8.7% (103), and Public Administration at 7.6% (90). This distribution is typical of an established coastal suburb where residents commute to Newcastle-area employment centres rather than relying on local jobs. Professionals are the largest occupational group at 480 workers, followed by Managers (219) and Community and Personal Services (213). The unemployment rate is 3.6% against a participation rate of 51.2%, which is low because 1,149 residents are not in the labour force, consistent with a large retired and semi-retired cohort at median age 48. Real incomes grew 18.9% over the decade, above the national average. SEIFA decile 7 on IRSAD reflects moderate advantage.
Unemployment
1.8%
Labour Force
1,946
Unemployed
36
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.9%
Part-time
38.5%
Participation
51.2%
Employed
1,536
Occupations
Top Industries
University
32.9%
Postgraduate
7.9%
Born Overseas
10.5%
Dwellings
1,404
Transport to Work
Car dependency is very high at 89.9% of residents driving to work, while only 3.8% walk or cycle, and public transport figures are not recorded for this suburb, suggesting minimal service. The IRSAD decile 7 score places Redhead in the upper half nationally for advantage, and the IER (economic resources) score at decile 8 is higher still, reflecting the substantial outright ownership share. Volunteering runs at 17%, above average, and 9.3% of residents (335 people) need daily assistance, somewhat higher than comparable coastal suburbs, likely driven by the older age profile. Rent-to-income at 26.3% keeps tenants under the 30% stress threshold. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families depend on schools in neighbouring Lake Macquarie suburbs, a practical consideration for buyers with children.
Drive
89.9%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
3.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.56%/yr
(+22 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 9.4% over the decade, reaching 3,785 in 2025, and the annual growth trend runs at 0.56% or around 22 persons per year. Medium forecasts project the population reaching 3,981 by 2031, modest but stable growth. Internal migration is the primary driver at a net 72 arrivals per year, with overseas migration adding 18. The gentrification score reads 9 out of 100, classified as not gentrifying, which is appropriate for a suburb already in the upper half nationally on SEIFA. The trajectory is aging, not intensifying in density, so no step-change in supply is expected. Affordability improved modestly, from 56.9% in 2011 to 54.5% in 2021, showing that while prices have risen, income growth has partially offset the affordability impact over the long run.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+18
Net Internal / yr
+72
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal migration +72/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Redhead compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Redhead a good suburb to live in?
Redhead ranks in decile 7 on IRSAD nationally and decile 8 on IER, placing it in the upper half for advantage and economic resources. With 57.3% of residents owning outright and only 13.6% renting, it attracts long-term owner-occupiers. The main trade-off is a $1.53 million median house price and limited public transport, with 89.9% of workers driving.
What is the median house price in Redhead?
The median house price was $1.6 million in 2024 and declined to $1.53 million in 2025, a 4.4% fall over one year. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,300, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 33.2%, above the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $420.
What schools are in Redhead?
No schools are recorded within the Redhead suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Lake Macquarie suburbs. Despite this, Redhead's residents have a university qualification rate of 32.9%, which is 2.8 percentage points above the national average.
Is Redhead safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Redhead in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 7 on IRSD, meaning it sits in the upper half nationally for low relative disadvantage. High owner-occupier rates at 57.3% and a well-established resident base are generally associated with stable, lower-crime communities.
Is Redhead good for property investment?
The rental market is thin, with only 13.6% of residents renting and a vacancy rate of 3.4%. Weekly rent of $420 against a $1.53 million median implies a gross yield near 1.4%, very low. Rent grew 40% over the decade, and net internal migration of 72 per year provides steady demand, but returns rely on long-run capital growth rather than yield.
How is Redhead's population changing?
The population reached 3,785 in 2025, up 9.4% over the decade, with annual growth of about 22 persons or 0.56% per year. Medium forecasts project around 3,981 residents by 2031. The suburb is aging, with the senior share rising 5.7 points and the working-age share falling 4.1 points over 10 years. Internal migration of 72 per year net is the primary growth driver.
How much development is happening in Redhead?
There were 55 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, covering secondary dwellings, pool installations and minor alterations rather than new residential supply. This is consistent with an established suburb adding ancillary structures to existing detached houses, which make up 93.3% of the housing stock.
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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