Suburb in Northern Beaches

Forestville, NSW

Forestville had a population of 8,659 at the 2021 Census (+4.0% since 2016). Median age 43.0. Median weekly household income $2,485. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

Forestville at a glance

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

In Sydney - Northern Beaches

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Forestville's population grew by 4.0% to 8,659, slower than New South Wales as a whole (+7.9%). With a median age of 43.0, it is older than the NSW average (38.4). Children under 10 make up 11.6% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 16.3%.

19.7% of households rent, a smaller share than the NSW average of 33.1%. 39.7% own their home outright. Flats and apartments are 6.5% of homes (21.8% across New South Wales). The 2021 Census counted 2,898 households.

The median household earns $2,485 a week, above the NSW average of $1,829. Renters pay a median $660 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $3,161 a month.

33.2% of residents were born overseas, more than the NSW average of 31.0%. 25.4% use a language other than English at home. 41.4% report no religion, higher than the NSW average (35.7%).

Key figures

2021 Census, Forestville beside NSW and Australia.

MeasureForestvilleNSWAustralia
Population8,6598,072,17125,422,828
Growth since 2016+4.0%+7.9%+8.6%
Median age43.038.438.2
Households2,8982,900,4569,275,123
Flats and apartments6.5%21.8%14.3%
Renting19.7%33.1%31.1%
Owned outright39.7%32.0%31.4%
Median household income a week$2,485$1,829$1,747
Median rent a week$660$423$376
Median mortgage repayment a month$3,161$2,142$1,866
Born overseas33.2%31.0%29.3%
Other language at home25.4%28.2%23.6%
No religion41.4%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

+4.0% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 7,9922011
  2. 8,3292016
  3. 8,6592021

Age

Median age 43.0, against 38.4 for New South Wales.

Forestville New South Wales
Share of people by age, Forestville and New South Wales
0–911.6%
10–1916.4%
20–297.7%
30–398.7%
40–4916.0%
50–5914.0%
60–699.2%
70–798.6%
80+7.7%

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

Cultural background

The largest groups in Forestville at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. English36.2%
  2. Australian31.2%
  3. Irish10.6%
  4. Scottish9.3%
  5. Chinese9.1%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. Cantonese3.4%
  2. Mandarin2.9%
  3. French2.3%
  4. Japanese1.7%
  5. Spanish1.1%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. England5.5%
  2. China3.1%
  3. New Zealand2.1%
  4. Hong Kong1.6%
  5. South Africa1.5%

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

Around Forestville

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Explore Forestville in Censible

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