Forestville
NSW 2087 · Northern Beaches
8,659 (2021) → 8,904 est. (2025) · Stable
Part of the Northern Beaches local government area (est. 271,738 residents)
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Forestville is a stable suburb in Northern Beaches, NSW 2087, about 13km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $2.57M is more expensive than the NSW average. The suburb has 6 schools, a transport score of 60/100, and is a short drive from the coast. Forestville has an overall score of 81/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 100/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2087 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (5.32%), China (2.97%), New Zealand (2.01%), Hong Kong (1.51%), South Africa (1.46%)
Top languages: Cantonese (3.22%), Mandarin (2.76%), French (2.23%), Japan (1.62%), Spanish (1.03%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: NSW Valuer General · Updated Q1 2026
Residential Safety
Recorded residential incidents (latest year), with rate per 100,000 residents:
Includes street and public-place assaults — supplementary context, not part of the safety score.
Residential incidents over time
Sum of the five residential categories above — not all recorded crime.
Area crime context
An independent score — crime data quality varies by state, so safety is shown separately and is not part of the overall score.
Source: BOCSAR · Updated March 2026
Schools
Outstanding school access
Top 20% nationally — strong, high-ICSEA schools nearby with genuine choice. An excellent suburb for families prioritising education.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 1136 (above the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Forestville Montessori SchoolPrimary · IndependentICSEA 1171
- Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · CatholicICSEA 1145
- Forestville Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1141
- Aspect Vern Barnett SchoolCombined · IndependentICSEA 1107
- High School Campus for Yanginanook SchoolSecondary · Independent
- Aspect Vern Barnett School, ForestvillePrimary · Independent
Nearby (within 10km)
- Killarney Heights High SchoolSecondary · Government · 1.4kmICSEA 1132
- Frenchs Forest Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.7kmICSEA 1123
- Killarney Heights Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.7kmICSEA 1150
- Davidson High SchoolSecondary · Government · 1.8kmICSEA 1089
- Mimosa Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.9kmICSEA 1119
- The Forest High SchoolSecondary · Government · 2.1kmICSEA 1062
- Wakehurst Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.4kmICSEA 1126
- St Martin's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 2.4kmICSEA 1131
- EOC Broken BayPrimary · Catholic · 2.4kmICSEA 1059
- Lindfield East Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.5kmICSEA 1167
- Castle Cove Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.7kmICSEA 1167
- Kambora Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.7kmICSEA 1101
Source: ACARA MySchool · Updated 2025
Transport
Source: TfNSW GTFS
Employment & Economy
Top local industries
Source: DEWR SALM / ABS Census 2021 · Updated SALM Mar 2026 / 2021 Census
Liveability
Amenities within 2–3km
Counted within a short distance of the suburb centre (so nearby facilities count), with the in-boundary count shown beneath.
In this suburb
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap · Healthdirect NHSD (via Geoscience Australia)
Fitness
Plenty of options
Well above average — a good spread of gyms and sports facilities within easy reach.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Some green space
Around the national average — a reasonable amount of parks and outdoor space nearby.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
Some cultural venues
Around the national average — a handful of cultural venues, with more on offer a short trip away.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Culture Score is a national percentile weighting theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and arts centres most heavily.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Entertainment Scene
Not much nightlife
Very few licensed venues nearby — you'll be heading to a neighbouring suburb for a night out.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: Liquor & Gaming NSW · Updated June 2024
Childcare
Some choices available
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of childcare options, though popular services may have waiting lists.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register · Updated July 2026
Aged Care
Government-subsidised aged care services located in this suburb. Star Ratings are the official ratings for residential aged care homes.
Source: Dept of Health, Disability and Ageing · Updated May 2026 Star Ratings
Places of Worship
Mapped places of worship within 3km of the suburb centre, grouped by religion where recorded. Community mapping may not capture every congregation.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Population & Growth
StableSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Northern Beaches
Compare Forestville with another suburb
Compare two suburbs
Frequently asked questions about Forestville
Is Forestville safe?
Forestville has a residential safety score of 100/100, based on residential crime (break-ins, theft from dwellings, vehicle theft, domestic assault and robbery) per resident relative to the NSW median. Its total recorded incident rate is 1,444 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Forestville?
In Forestville, the median house price is $2.57M and the median unit price is $1.41M. Median weekly house rent is $1,262.
How far is Forestville from Sydney CBD?
Forestville is about 12.6 km from Sydney CBD, an estimated 50 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Forestville?
Forestville has 6 schools, with an average ICSEA of 1141 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Forestville?
Forestville has a transport score of 60/100 and 38 bus stops.