Terranora
A median house price of $1,163,500, 98.5% detached houses, and household income at the 80.1st percentile nationally make Terranora one of the more affluent, owner-dominated pockets of the NSW Northern Rivers region. The suburb sits on decile 10 for IER, meaning economic resources rank at the very top tier nationally, yet the IEO education-and-occupation index registers decile 6, a divergence that reflects a population strong in assets but not concentrated in graduate professions. Median age is 42, which is 2.0 years above the national figure, and just 10.8% of residents rent compared to broader national averages, pointing to a suburb held firmly by long-term, asset-wealthy owners.
Population
3,365
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,120/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
82
Median House
$1.2M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price of $1,163,500 sits well above the national median, and prices climbed 22.8% from $1,000,000 in 2024 to $1,228,000 in 2025. The stock is almost entirely detached houses at 98.5%, with apartments making up just 0.6%, so buyers are competing in a concentrated, low-turnover market. Four-plus bedroom homes dominate at 71.1%, reflecting the large-lot, family-oriented nature of Terranora's residential estates. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.6%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold despite the seven-figure entry price. Only 10.8% of residents rent, which means resale supply is thin and driven mainly by genuine life-stage transitions rather than investor exits.
For Buyers
The median house price of $1,163,500 sits well above the national median, and prices climbed 22.8% from $1,000,000 in 2024 to $1,228,000 in 2025. The stock is almost entirely detached houses at 98.5%, with apartments making up just 0.6%, so buyers are competing in a concentrated, low-turnover market. Four-plus bedroom homes dominate at 71.1%, reflecting the large-lot, family-oriented nature of Terranora's residential estates. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.6%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold despite the seven-figure entry price. Only 10.8% of residents rent, which means resale supply is thin and driven mainly by genuine life-stage transitions rather than investor exits.
For Investors
The rental market in Terranora is small: just 10.8% of dwellings are rented, and the weekly rent of $540 against a $1,163,500 median implies a gross yield near 2.4%, low by national standards. Vacancy sits at 3.8%, above a healthy market threshold of around 3%, which indicates mild softness in rental demand. Development activity is moderate with 73 applications lodged in the past 12 months, skewed toward new dwellings and pool installations on existing lots rather than medium-density supply. Net overseas migration adds 17 residents a year and internal migration adds 4, giving a thin but positive demand base. The investment case depends on capital growth given the 22.8% price gain from 2024 to 2025, rather than on yield.
Development Activity
Total DAs
479
Last 12 Months
82
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-32.2%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Terranora iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School
K-12 · 2008 students
Terranora Public School
K-6 · 286 students
Demographics
The median age of 42 is 2.0 years above the national figure, and the senior share rose 5.8 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 2.5 points, confirming an aging trajectory. Overseas-born residents account for 14.4%, which is 7.2 points below the national average, consistent with the Anglo-Celtic ancestry profile led by English (1,552 residents), Irish (480) and Scottish (418). University qualifications reach 31.8%, sitting 1.7 points above national despite the IEO decile 6 score, because qualification rates are spread across practical as well as knowledge occupations. Average household size is 3.0, which is 0.5 above the national figure, reflecting the high share of couples with children at 44.2% of families.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.5%
Houses
0.9%
Townhouse
0.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Terranora's tenure structure is owner-heavy: 39.8% own outright and 49.3% carry a mortgage, leaving only 10.8% renting, well below national norms. The stock is nearly all detached houses at 98.5%, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 71.1%, so the suburb functions as a large-lot family market rather than a mixed or investment-oriented one. Prices rose from $1,000,000 to $1,228,000 between 2024 and 2025, a 22.8% gain in one year. Rent-to-income at 25.5% keeps tenants comfortable, and mortgage-to-income at 23.6% is below the stress threshold, a combination that suggests the existing owner base is financially resilient. The vacancy rate of 3.8% is modestly elevated, reflecting the limited rental pool.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$540
HH Size
3.0
Personal Income / wk
$831
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.8%
Unoccupied
43
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.6%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.8%
Couples, no children
2,926
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant employer at 21.3% of the local workforce (240 workers), followed by Education at 14.1% (159), Construction at 13.2% (149), Public Admin at 7.5% (84) and Retail at 7.2% (81). The occupational profile is led by Professionals (384) and Managers (235), with Community and Personal services third at 205, which aligns with the healthcare-heavy industry base. The unemployment rate is 4.1% and the full-time employment rate is 57.8%, with 808 residents not in the labour force, a figure partly explained by the older median age of 42. Weekly personal income of $831 and household income at the 80.1st percentile nationally confirm a comfortably above-average earnings base for the region.
Unemployment
1.5%
Labour Force
1,796
Unemployed
27
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.8%
Part-time
38.1%
Participation
61.3%
Employed
1,558
Occupations
Top Industries
University
31.8%
Postgraduate
6.5%
Born Overseas
14.4%
Dwellings
1,075
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high: 91.8% of residents drive to work, and only 0.5% use public transport, which reflects the suburban, low-density character of Terranora at 277.4 residents per km2. No schools are recorded within the Terranora boundary in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in adjoining suburbs. Crime data is not available for the suburb, but the IRSD decile of 8 nationally places it well above average for relative advantage, and the IRSAD decile of 7 confirms limited disadvantage. Volunteering reaches 14.3% of residents, and only 5.2% need daily assistance, both consistent with an established, financially secure community. Rent-to-income at 25.5% and mortgage-to-income at 23.6% indicate residents are not under housing cost pressure.
Drive
91.8%
Public Transport
0.5%
Walk / Cycle
1.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.58%/yr
(+20 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth is slow but steady at 0.58% annually, adding roughly 20 residents per year, and the 10-year change registers 7.2% from a 2011 baseline. Historical counts show 3,387 residents in 2023 rising to 3,455 in 2025, and the medium forecast projects 3,569 by 2031. Overseas migration at 17 persons per year is the primary net inflow driver, compared to an internal migration balance of 4. The suburb did not experience a COVID population dip. Gentrification is not active, consistent with an area already at the top end of economic resources nationally at IER decile 10. The affordability trend is improving as measured by the shift from 71.8% to 66.8% between 2011 and 2021, though large lot prices remain elevated.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+17
Net Internal / yr
+4
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Terranora compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Terranora a good suburb to live in?
Terranora scores decile 8 on IRSD and decile 10 on IER nationally, placing it well above average for both low disadvantage and economic resources. Household income sits at the 80.1st percentile nationally. The trade-off is high car dependence at 91.8%, limited public transport at 0.5%, and a $1,163,500 median house price.
What is the median house price in Terranora?
The median house price is $1,163,500, based on 2024-2025 data. Prices rose 22.8% from $1,000,000 in 2024 to $1,228,000 in 2025. Weekly rent averages $540 and monthly mortgage repayments run approximately $2,167, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.6%.
What schools are in Terranora?
No schools are recorded inside the Terranora boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. Residents are reasonably well-educated: 31.8% hold university qualifications, which is 1.7 points above the national average.
Is Terranora safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Terranora in this dataset. As indirect indicators, the suburb scores decile 8 on IRSD nationally and only 5.2% of residents need daily assistance. These measures are consistent with a low-disadvantage, financially stable area.
Is Terranora good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $540 against a $1,163,500 median implies a gross yield near 2.4%, which is low. The vacancy rate of 3.8% signals mild softness in the rental market. However, prices rose 22.8% in one year from 2024 to 2025, and the IER decile 10 score indicates strong economic resources underpinning values.
How is Terranora's population changing?
Population is growing at 0.58% annually, adding about 20 residents per year. The 10-year change is 7.2%, and the medium forecast projects growth from 3,455 in 2025 to 3,569 by 2031. Overseas migration of 17 persons per year is the main positive driver. The suburb did not experience a COVID population dip.
How much development is happening in Terranora?
There were 73 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Recent examples include new dwelling house applications, pool installations and dwelling alterations, consistent with a low-density suburb growing at 0.58% annually rather than medium-density infill activity.
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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