Suburb in Mid-Coast

Forster, NSW

Forster had a population of 14,187 at the 2021 Census (+3.3% since 2016). Median age 56.9. Median weekly household income $1,010. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

Forster at a glance

What the 2021 Census says, compared with New South Wales.

In Mid North Coast

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Forster's population grew by 3.3% to 14,187, slower than New South Wales as a whole (+7.9%). With a median age of 56.9, it is older than the NSW average (38.4). Children under 10 make up 7.9% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 29.0%.

26.7% of households rent, a smaller share than the NSW average of 33.1%. 49.7% own their home outright. Flats and apartments are 18.0% of homes (21.8% across New South Wales). The 2021 Census counted 6,253 households.

The median household earns $1,010 a week, below the NSW average of $1,829. Renters pay a median $341 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $1,687 a month.

12.3% of residents were born overseas, fewer than the NSW average of 31.0%. 4.0% use a language other than English at home. 37.8% report no religion, higher than the NSW average (35.7%).

Key figures

2021 Census, Forster beside NSW and Australia.

MeasureForsterNSWAustralia
Population14,1878,072,17125,422,828
Growth since 2016+3.3%+7.9%+8.6%
Median age56.938.438.2
Households6,2532,900,4569,275,123
Flats and apartments18.0%21.8%14.3%
Renting26.7%33.1%31.1%
Owned outright49.7%32.0%31.4%
Median household income a week$1,010$1,829$1,747
Median rent a week$341$423$376
Median mortgage repayment a month$1,687$2,142$1,866
Born overseas12.3%31.0%29.3%
Other language at home4.0%28.2%23.6%
No religion37.8%35.7%41.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Population and age

Each census since 2011, and the age profile in 2021.

Population

+3.3% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 13,1162011
  2. 13,7402016
  3. 14,1872021

Age

Median age 56.9, against 38.4 for New South Wales.

Forster New South Wales
Share of people by age, Forster and New South Wales
0–97.9%
10–199.7%
20–296.7%
30–398.3%
40–499.5%
50–5911.5%
60–6917.5%
70–7917.8%
80+11.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Cultural background

The largest groups in Forster at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. English48.1%
  2. Australian43.3%
  3. Irish12.7%
  4. Scottish11.4%
  5. Australian Aboriginal6.3%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. Nepali0.4%
  2. German0.3%
  3. Arabic0.2%
  4. French0.2%
  5. Italian0.2%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. England3.4%
  2. New Zealand1.3%
  3. the Philippines0.6%
  4. Scotland0.5%
  5. Germany0.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Around Forster

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Explore Forster in Censible

Every census figure for Forster, mapped and compared with any other place. A free account takes a minute.