Forreston, SA: suburb profile

The population of Forreston SA is 407 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Forreston is $780 per week ($40,560 per year). Median rent in Forreston is $258 per week ($1,118 per month). Forreston has a median age of 48 years, older than the national median of 38. Forreston has a population density of 11 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Forreston is England. The most common religion is No religion (46.4% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Italian. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Forreston is $1,950.

There were 8 recorded offences in Forreston in 2025-26, a rate of 20 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was other against person (4 offences).

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from SA Government Open Data (data.sa.gov.au), 2025-26.

Forreston Map

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Forreston Population

407 residents at the 2021 Census.

Forreston Median Income & Rent

Median Income

$780/wk

$40,560 per year

Ranked 3,938 of 14,663

Median Rent

$258/wk

$1,118 per month

Ranked 6,018 of 14,663

Median Age

48years

10 years older than the national median

Mortgage

$1,950/mo

Avg household size: 2.8 · 0.8 per bedroom

Forreston Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.3% (201) Female 50.7% (207)

Population Density

people per km²

407 people · 37.0 km²

Households

2.8

Avg household size

0.8

Persons per bedroom

$2,279

Family income/wk

Forreston Age Distribution

0-4

5-9

10-14

15-19

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

45-49

50-54

55-59

60-64

65-69

70-74

75-79

80-84

85+

Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Forreston Home Ownership

Of owner-occupied homes in Forreston, 51.2% are owned outright and 48.8% have a mortgage.

Owned outright

51.2%

Owned with mortgage

48.8%

Rented homes are not included in this breakdown.

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England

Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Forreston Religion

No religion

46.4%

Catholic

12.0%

Not stated

10.6%

Lutheran

8.6%

Anglican

6.4%

Uniting Church

5.2%

Christian (other)

3.9%

Baptist

2.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Forreston Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent

57.9%

Year 10 or equivalent

21.9%

Year 11 or equivalent

15.4%

Year 9 or equivalent

4.8%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Italian

Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Spoken at Home by SAL

Forreston Employment

Employed full-time

40.3% 127 people

Employed part-time

22.9% 72 people

Unemployed

1.6% 5 people

Not in labour force

35.2% 111 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Forreston Qualifications

Certificate III/IV

44.4%

Bachelor Degree

23.0%

Advanced Diploma/Diploma

18.9%

Graduate Diploma/Certificate

5.6%

Postgraduate Degree

4.6%

Certificate I/II

3.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Forreston Occupation

Professionals

27.8%

Technicians & Trade Workers

18.8%

Managers

16.7%

Clerical & Administrative

13.9%

Community & Personal Service

9.0%

Labourers

6.3%

Machinery Operators & Drivers

4.9%

Sales Workers

2.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Forreston Field of Study

Engineering

27.4%

Management & Commerce

17.8%

Society & Culture

14.8%

Health

13.3%

Agriculture & Environment

9.6%

Education

8.1%

Creative Arts

3.7%

Architecture & Building

3.0%

Food, Hospitality & Personal Services

2.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

Forreston Dwelling Types

Separate house

100.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Forreston Weekly Household Income

$150-$299/wk

2.3%

$400-$499/wk

3.1%

$500-$649/wk

4.6%

$650-$799/wk

5.3%

$800-$999/wk

9.2%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

6.9%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

3.1%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

7.6%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

6.9%

$2,000-$2,499/wk

15.3%

$2,500-$2,999/wk

2.3%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

14.5%

$3,500-$3,999/wk

7.6%

$4,000+/wk

11.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Forreston Marital Status

Married

59.7% 203

Divorced

8.2% 28

Widowed

4.4% 15

Never married

27.6% 94

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Forreston Ancestry

English

42.8%

Australian

40.5%

German

13.0%

Irish

8.1%

Scottish

7.1%

Italian

6.6%

Dutch

2.2%

Hungarian

1.2%

Lebanese

1.2%

Australian Aboriginal

0.7%

Vietnamese

0.7%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Forreston School & University Attendance

Secondary — Government

29.0%

Primary — Government

27.4%

Secondary — Other Non-Govt

19.4%

Primary — Other Non-Govt

11.3%

Pre-school

8.1%

Vocational Education

4.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

Forreston Need for Assistance

Needs assistance

5.7%

No need for assistance

94.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Forreston Volunteering

Volunteer

24.7% 81

Not a volunteer

75.3% 247

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Forreston Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo

5.4%

$450-$599/mo

7.1%

$1,000-$1,399/mo

10.7%

$1,400-$1,799/mo

19.6%

$1,800-$2,399/mo

35.7%

$2,400-$2,999/mo

10.7%

$3,000-$3,999/mo

10.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Forreston How People Get to Work

Car (driver)

83.6%

Did not go to work

10.5%

Walked only

3.5%

Car (passenger)

2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Forreston Car Ownership

1 vehicle

15.0%

2 vehicles

35.7%

3 vehicles

25.0%

4+ vehicles

24.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Forreston Number of Bedrooms

2 bedrooms

7.9%

3 bedrooms

47.1%

4 bedrooms

30.0%

5 bedrooms

12.9%

6+ bedrooms

2.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Forreston Population Mobility

8.4%

moved in the last year

27.7%

moved in the last 5 years

2.7%

unemployment rate (Census)

64.7%

labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Forreston Indigenous Population

1.6%

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Forreston Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health

Asthma

Arthritis

Cancer

Diabetes

Heart disease

Kidney disease

Lung condition

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Forreston Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk

12.1%

$1-$149/wk

4.3%

$150-$299/wk

3.5%

$300-$399/wk

4.3%

$400-$499/wk

6.0%

$500-$649/wk

2.5%

$650-$799/wk

7.4%

$800-$999/wk

10.3%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

11.0%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

6.0%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

8.9%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

8.2%

$2,000-$2,999/wk

11.0%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

1.1%

$3,500+/wk

3.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

Forreston Family Structure

Couple — children under 15

40.2%

Couple — no children

29.4%

Couple — no children under 15

26.2%

One parent — children under 15

2.0%

One parent — no children under 15

2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Forreston Military Service

Current ADF — Regular

1.2% 4

Current ADF — Reserves

0.9% 3

Previously served

3.3% 11

Never served

94.6% 315

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Forreston Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance

20.8% 68

Did not provide

79.2% 259

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Forreston Children Ever Born

No children

37.5%

1 child

2.6%

2 children

40.8%

3 children

14.5%

4 children

4.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

Forreston When Migrants Arrived

1951–1960

1961–1970

1971–1980

1981–1990

1991–2000

2001–2010

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Forreston Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours

16.9%

5–14 hours

29.9%

15–29 hours

17.8%

30+ hours

12.1%

Did not do domestic work

23.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Forreston Household Size

1 person

15.3%

2 persons

38.7%

3 persons

16.8%

4 persons

16.8%

5 persons

5.8%

6+ persons

6.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Forreston Where Residents Moved From

Same address

350

Moved from SA

Moved from overseas

Moved — same area (SA2)

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Forreston Family Blending

Intact family — no other children

91.9%

Blended family — no other children

8.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Forreston Crime Statistics

8 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Other Against Person

Assault

Property Damage

Total offences by year

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Source: SA Government Open Data (data.sa.gov.au).

Forreston Rent Prices & Affordability

12% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $2,079/wk

Median rent $258/wk

Rent to income 12.4%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Forreston against your income

Your weekly income

About $9,009 a month

Median rent $258/wk

Left after rent $1,821/wk

Rent share 12.4%

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Mount Pleasant (SA)

Income: $687/wk Rent: $250/wk $8/wk less rent

Streaky Bay

Income: $667/wk Rent: $250/wk $8/wk less rent

Penola

Income: $804/wk Rent: $198/wk $60/wk less rent

Jamestown

Income: $730/wk Rent: $215/wk $43/wk less rent

Loxton

Income: $664/wk Rent: $221/wk $37/wk less rent

Monash (SA)

Income: $755/wk Rent: $230/wk $28/wk less rent

Kapunda

Income: $625/wk Rent: $246/wk $12/wk less rent

Murray Bridge East

Income: $689/wk Rent: $250/wk $8/wk less rent

Forreston vs the typical SA suburb

The median personal income in Forreston is $780 a week, 3% above the typical SA suburb ($759). That ranks 313th of 710 SA suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $258 a week, $42 less than the typical SA suburb. Rent takes 12.4% of the median household income here, against 19.5% in the typical SA suburb. The median resident is 48, 5 years older than in the typical SA suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
Measure	Forreston	Typical SA	Typical Australia
Personal income	$780/wk	$759/wk	$766/wk
Household income	$2,079/wk	$1,494/wk	$1,637/wk
Rent	$258/wk	$300/wk	$330/wk
Mortgage repayment	$1,950/mo	$1,534/mo	$1,733/mo
Median age	48	43	42
Rent share of household income	12.4%	19.5%	20.3%

Suburbs near Forreston

The closest suburb to Forreston is Kersbrook, 5.8 km away.

Kersbrook

5.8 km away · income $876/wk · rent $300/wk

Birdwood (SA)

7.2 km away · income $776/wk · rent $320/wk

Williamstown (SA)

12.2 km away · income $813/wk · rent $300/wk

Lobethal

14.3 km away · income $759/wk · rent $310/wk

Compare Forreston

Frequently Asked Questions About Forreston

What is the population of Forreston SA?

The population of Forreston SA is 407 according to the ABS Census 2021.The suburb has a population density of 11 people per km².Forreston is ranked #5,384 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Forreston?

The median personal income in Forreston SA is $780 per week, or $40,560 per year.The median household income is $2,079 per week.Family income is $2,279 per week.Forreston is ranked #3,938 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Forreston?

Median rent in Forreston SA is $258 per week ($1,118 per month).Rent represents 12.4% of household income, which is considered affordable.Forreston ranks #6,018 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Forreston?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Forreston SA is $1,950. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Forreston?

The median age in Forreston SA is 48 years.This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Forreston a good suburb to live in?

Forreston is a suburb in South Australia with a population of 407.The median income is $780/wk, which is above the typical SA suburb ($759/wk).Rent affordability is rated as affordable (12.4% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 40454. All dollar figures in AUD.