Saratoga
With 95.1% of dwellings being separate houses and a median age of 43, Saratoga sits 3.0 years above the national median age, reflecting an established, owner-dominated community on the Central Coast. Household income lands in the 74.6th percentile nationally, comfortable rather than elite, yet the median house price reached $1,250,000 in 2024-2025. An exceptionally low renter share of 15.9% and 38.9% outright ownership signal long-term residents holding tightly to their properties. Just 1.4% of residents commute by public transport, well below state averages, reinforcing the car-dependent lifestyle typical of the area.
Population
3,982
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,989/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
55
Median House
$1.2M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price stands at $1,250,000, with prices rising 17.4% from $1,150,000 in 2024 to $1,350,000 in 2025. Stock is almost entirely separate houses at 95.1%, with apartments at just 2.1% and semi-detached at 2.6%. Four-plus bedroom homes dominate at 47.9%, followed by three-bedroom at 39.5%, indicating a suburb oriented toward families rather than downsizers. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.2%, which sits below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners at 38.9% outnumber mortgage holders at 45.2%, a split more common in long-held coastal suburbs than in city fringe areas. The low renter share of 15.9% means most sellers are trading up or downsizing locally rather than departing the suburb entirely.
For Buyers
The median house price stands at $1,250,000, with prices rising 17.4% from $1,150,000 in 2024 to $1,350,000 in 2025. Stock is almost entirely separate houses at 95.1%, with apartments at just 2.1% and semi-detached at 2.6%. Four-plus bedroom homes dominate at 47.9%, followed by three-bedroom at 39.5%, indicating a suburb oriented toward families rather than downsizers. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.2%, which sits below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners at 38.9% outnumber mortgage holders at 45.2%, a split more common in long-held coastal suburbs than in city fringe areas. The low renter share of 15.9% means most sellers are trading up or downsizing locally rather than departing the suburb entirely.
For Investors
The rental market is thin, with only 15.9% of households renting and weekly rent at $485, below the broader Central Coast average for houses. Against the $1,250,000 median, that rent implies a gross yield near 2.0%, typical of owner-dominated coastal suburbs rather than rental-demand hotspots. The vacancy rate of 5.0% is elevated compared to tight rental markets nationally, signalling limited urgency among tenants. Development activity shows 52 applications in the past 12 months, including subdivision and secondary dwelling applications, which could modestly expand supply. Population growth is slow at 0.48% annually, adding about 36 persons per year. Overseas migration averages 42 per year and net internal migration is balanced, so demand growth will be modest rather than rapid.
Development Activity
Total DAs
242
Last 12 Months
55
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+66.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Saratoga iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Brisbania Public School
K-6 · 358 students
Demographics
The median age of 43 sits 3.0 years above the national figure, consistent with an aging trajectory where the senior share rose 3.4 points over the decade while the young share fell 1.0 points. Overseas-born residents account for 15.1%, which is 6.5 points below the national average, making Saratoga more Anglo-Celtic than most NSW suburbs. Ancestry is led by English (1,843 residents), Irish (541), and Scottish (493). University qualifications reach 31.0%, which is 0.9 points above the national figure, indicating a modestly educated workforce. Average household size is 2.7, marginally above the national figure. Couples with children are the most common family type at 1,368, compared to 945 couples without children. The volunteering rate of 14.7% reflects the established resident profile.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
95.1%
Houses
2.6%
Townhouse
2.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is heavily weighted toward owners: 38.9% hold outright and 45.2% carry a mortgage, leaving renters at just 15.9%. This tenure split, where mortgage holders dominate and outright owners are substantial, is characteristic of a suburb mid-cycle, with many residents having purchased in the previous decade. The stock is 95.1% separate houses with almost no apartment or semi-detached supply, so buyers compete for a single product type. Four-plus bedroom homes make up 47.9% and three-bedroom homes 39.5%, reflecting large family-sized dwellings rather than smaller urban-style stock. The price moved from $1,150,000 in 2024 to $1,350,000 in 2025, a 17.4% rise in one year, though the period covers only two data points. Rent-to-income sits at 24.4%, below the 30% stress threshold.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$485
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$869
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.0%
Unoccupied
76
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.2%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.9%
Couples, no children
3,385
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 20.2% of employed residents (280 workers), well above most suburban averages and reflecting the older demographic profile. Construction follows at 15.8% (219 workers), consistent with the active DA pipeline and large-lot housing stock. Education accounts for 12.6% (174 workers), and both Public Admin and Professional/Tech each contribute 8.2%. By occupation, Professionals lead at 481, followed by Managers (275) and Clerical/Admin (255). The unemployment rate of 2.5% is low by national standards, though the participation rate of 55.3% is modest because 1,058 residents are not in the labour force, likely reflecting the older age profile. Real income grew 18.5% over the decade. The IRSD decile of 8 indicates low relative disadvantage, ranking Saratoga well above average nationally.
Unemployment
1.3%
Labour Force
3,928
Unemployed
50
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.5%
Part-time
39.0%
Participation
55.3%
Employed
1,749
Occupations
Top Industries
University
31.0%
Postgraduate
6.9%
Born Overseas
15.1%
Dwellings
1,435
Transport to Work
Car dependence is near-total: 92.4% of residents drive to work and only 1.4% use public transport, lower than the state average and a practical trade-off for a waterway suburb on the Central Coast. The IRSAD decile of 7 and IRSD decile of 8 both indicate above-average advantage nationally, meaning residents face relatively low socioeconomic disadvantage. Housing stress is absent: mortgage-to-income sits at 25.2% and rent-to-income at 24.4%, both below the 30% stress threshold. Only 4.0% of residents (152 people) need daily assistance, proportionate for the age profile. No schools are recorded inside the Saratoga boundary, so families depend on schools in neighbouring suburbs such as Gosford or Woy Woy. Development activity of 52 applications in 12 months, including secondary dwelling and subdivision works, suggests gradual intensification within an otherwise stable housing landscape.
Drive
92.4%
Public Transport
1.4%
Walk / Cycle
1.0%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.48%/yr
(+36 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth is slow at 0.48% annually, adding roughly 36 persons per year. The 10-year change was 8.0%, placing Saratoga firmly in the established slow-growth category. The medium forecast projects the broader SA2 area rising from 7,432 in 2025 to around 7,618 by 2031. Migration is balanced, with net internal movement at zero and overseas migration contributing 42 persons per year as the sole growth driver. The gentrification score is 52 with an active stage rating, meaning the suburb is mid-process and not yet saturated. Affordability worsened from 55.9% in 2011 to 58.7% in 2021, tracking a steady decline in housing accessibility. The aging trajectory is clear, with the senior share rising 3.4 points over the decade, suggesting demand will tilt toward lower-maintenance dwellings over time.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+42
Net Internal / yr
0
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Saratoga compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saratoga a good suburb to live in?
Saratoga ranks in IRSD decile 8 and IRSAD decile 7 nationally, indicating low relative disadvantage. Household income sits in the 74.6th percentile. Housing stress is absent, with mortgage-to-income at 25.2% and rent-to-income at 24.4%. The trade-off is high car dependence, with 92.4% driving to work and only 1.4% using public transport.
What is the median house price in Saratoga?
The median house price is $1,250,000 for 2024-2025. Prices rose 17.4% from $1,150,000 in 2024 to $1,350,000 in 2025. Weekly rent averages $485 and monthly mortgage repayments are around $2,167, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.2%.
What schools are in Saratoga?
No schools are recorded inside the Saratoga boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The local population has a university qualification rate of 31.0%, which is 0.9 points above the national figure, reflecting a modestly educated workforce.
Is Saratoga safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Saratoga in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores IRSD decile 8 nationally, well above the average for relative disadvantage, and only 4.0% of residents (152 people) need daily assistance, both consistent with a low-disadvantage area.
Is Saratoga good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $485 against a $1,250,000 median implies a gross yield near 2.0%, below most investor benchmarks. The vacancy rate of 5.0% is elevated and the renter share is low at 15.9%. Price growth of 17.4% in 2024-2025 favours capital growth strategies over yield, though the one-year window is too short to confirm a sustained trend.
How is Saratoga's population changing?
Population grows at 0.48% annually, adding around 36 persons per year. The 10-year change was 8.0% and the medium forecast projects the broader SA2 reaching about 7,618 by 2031. The aging trajectory is clear, with the senior share up 3.4 points over the decade while the working-age and young shares each declined.
How much development is happening in Saratoga?
There were 52 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including subdivision modifications, secondary dwellings, and dwelling additions. This pace of activity is moderate for a 2.37 km2 suburb, suggesting gradual densification rather than large-scale new supply, consistent with the 0.48% annual population growth rate.
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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