New South Wales · Suburb Profile

Lake Cathie NSW — Suburb Profile

Population, median income, rent prices, housing costs and demographics for Lake Cathie, New South Wales. ABS Census 2021.

The population of Lake Cathie NSW is 4,296 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Lake Cathie is $658 per week ($34,216 per year). Median rent in Lake Cathie is $380 per week ($1,647 per month). Lake Cathie has a median age of 52 years, older than the national median of 38. Lake Cathie has a population density of 223.8 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Lake Cathie is England. The most common religion is No Religion (40% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Other. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Lake Cathie is $1,850.

There were 30 recorded offences in Lake Cathie in 2025-26, a rate of 7 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was other against property (8 offences).

Lake Cathie Map

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Lake Cathie Population

residents (Census 2021)

Lake Cathie Median Income & Rent

💰

Median Income

$658/wk

$34,216 per year

#6188 of 14,663

🏠

Median Rent

$380/wk

$1,647 per month

#2445 of 14,663

👤

Median Age

52years

14 years older than national median

🏡

Mortgage

$1,850/mo

Avg household size: 2.4 · 0.7 per bedroom

Lake Cathie Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.5% (2,083) Female 51.5% (2,214)

Population Density

223.8

people per km²

4,296 people · 19.2 km²

Households

2.4

Avg household size

0.7

Persons per bedroom

$1,485

Family income/wk

Lake Cathie 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 & Locality (SAL)

Lake Cathie Housing Tenure

🏠

Owned outright

65.6% 888 dwellings

🏦

Owned with mortgage

34.4% 465 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021 — Suburb & Locality (SAL)

Lake Cathie Country of Birth

Australia

95.2%

England

4.3%

India

0.4%

Germany

0.2%

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

Lake Cathie Religion

No Religion

40.2%

Anglican

22.5%

Catholic

22.4%

Not stated

5.3%

Uniting Church

3.6%

Christinty Prsbytrin Refrmd

2.6%

Christian (other)

2.0%

Baptist

1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G14 — Religion by SAL

Lake Cathie Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent

46.4%

Year 10 or equivalent

37.2%

Year 9 or equivalent

9.3%

Year 11 or equivalent

7.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G16 — Highest Year of School by SAL

Lake Cathie Languages Spoken at Home

Other

31.4%

Cantonese

15.7%

SAL Filipin

9.8%

SAL Tot

9.8%

Italian

7.8%

Thai

7.8%

Australian Indigenous

5.9%

Portuguese

5.9%

Spanish

5.9%

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

Lake Cathie Employment

💼

Employed full-time

26.7% 896 people

⏰

Employed part-time

19.5% 655 people

🔍

Unemployed

2.7% 91 people

🏠

Not in labour force

51.0% 1,711 people

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

Lake Cathie Qualifications

Certificate III/IV

47.4%

Bachelor Degree

22.3%

Advanced Diploma/Diploma

19.4%

Postgraduate Degree

4.7%

Graduate Diploma/Certificate

3.5%

Certificate I/II

2.7%

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

Lake Cathie Occupation

Professionals

28.1%

Technicians & Trade Workers

16.3%

Community & Personal Service

15.0%

Clerical & Administrative

12.9%

Managers

11.1%

Labourers

7.2%

Sales Workers

5.1%

Machinery Operators & Drivers

4.3%

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

Lake Cathie Field of Study

Management & Commerce

20.7%

Engineering

14.8%

Society & Culture

14.7%

Education

13.6%

Health

11.3%

Architecture & Building

11.0%

Food, Hospitality & Personal Services

6.9%

Creative Arts

2.4%

Agriculture & Environment

1.7%

Natural & Physical Sciences

1.6%

Information Technology

1.3%

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

Lake Cathie Dwelling Types

Separate house

94.4%

Semi-detached (1 storey)

3.8%

Semi-detached (2+ storey)

1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G36 — Dwelling Structure by SAL

Lake Cathie Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk

2.0%

$1-$149/wk

1.1%

$150-$299/wk

1.4%

$300-$399/wk

1.5%

$400-$499/wk

6.9%

$500-$649/wk

6.3%

$650-$799/wk

10.8%

$800-$999/wk

9.0%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

9.8%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

10.1%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

5.1%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

4.7%

$2,000-$2,499/wk

10.0%

$2,500-$2,999/wk

6.7%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

5.7%

$3,500-$3,999/wk

3.0%

$4,000+/wk

6.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G33 — Household Income by SAL

Lake Cathie Marital Status

💍

Married

55.9% 2,008

↔️

Separated

3.1% 110

📋

Divorced

10.1% 361

🕊️

Widowed

6.1% 219

👤

Never married

24.9% 893

Source: ABS Census 2021 G05 — Marital Status by SAL

Lake Cathie Ancestry

English

33.8%

Australian

33.6%

Scottish

9.6%

Irish

8.7%

Aboriginal Australianralian

3.3%

Other

3.2%

German

3.1%

Italian

1.7%

Dutch

1.3%

Maltese

0.6%

Chinese

0.5%

Welsh

0.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G08 — Ancestry by SAL

Lake Cathie School & University Attendance

Primary — Government

33.8%

Secondary — Catholic

17.1%

Vocational Education

12.2%

Secondary — Government

11.5%

Pre-school

10.7%

Primary — Catholic

5.5%

Primary — Other Non-Govt

5.2%

Secondary — Other Non-Govt

4.0%

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

Lake Cathie Need for Assistance

♿

Needs assistance

7.2% 596

✅

No need for assistance

92.8% 7,722

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

Lake Cathie Volunteering

🤝

Volunteer

19.2% 663

—

Not a volunteer

80.8% 2,795

Source: ABS Census 2021 G23 — Voluntary Work by SAL

Lake Cathie Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo

5.0%

$300-$449/mo

3.3%

$450-$599/mo

1.4%

$600-$799/mo

3.1%

$800-$999/mo

5.2%

$1,000-$1,399/mo

15.6%

$1,400-$1,799/mo

15.8%

$1,800-$2,399/mo

31.4%

$2,400-$2,999/mo

12.0%

$3,000-$3,999/mo

7.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G38 — Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Lake Cathie How People Get to Work

Car (driver)

78.0%

Did not go to work

12.4%

Car (passenger)

4.5%

Walked only

1.6%

Truck

1.0%

Bus

0.8%

Other

0.7%

Motorbike/Scooter

0.6%

Train

0.4%

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

Lake Cathie Car Ownership

0 vehicles

2.1%

1 vehicle

37.1%

2 vehicles

42.3%

3 vehicles

11.8%

4+ vehicles

6.7%

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

Lake Cathie Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom

1.6%

2 bedrooms

21.4%

3 bedrooms

33.1%

4 bedrooms

36.8%

5 bedrooms

5.7%

6+ bedrooms

1.4%

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

Lake Cathie Population Mobility

13.8%

moved in the last year

45.2%

moved in the last 5 years

5.0%

unemployment rate (Census)

49.1%

labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021 G43 — Summary by SAL

Lake Cathie Indigenous Population

5.0%

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

420

Indigenous residents

7,900

Non-Indigenous residents

Source: ABS Census 2021 G07 — Indigenous Status by SAL

Lake Cathie Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health

401

Arthritis

295

Heart disease

194

Asthma

151

Diabetes

140

Lung condition

127

Cancer

109

Stroke

Kidney disease

Dementia

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

Lake Cathie Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk

8.2%

$1-$149/wk

5.3%

$150-$299/wk

7.9%

$300-$399/wk

7.0%

$400-$499/wk

4.3%

$500-$649/wk

5.3%

$650-$799/wk

12.1%

$800-$999/wk

11.8%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

12.0%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

8.2%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

5.1%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

4.2%

$2,000-$2,999/wk

6.1%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

1.0%

$3,500+/wk

1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G17 — Personal Income by SAL

Lake Cathie Family Structure

Couple — no children

41.1%

Couple — children under 15

33.4%

Couple — no children under 15

12.9%

One parent — children under 15

7.3%

One parent — no children under 15

5.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G29 — Family Composition by SAL

Lake Cathie Military Service

🛡️

Current ADF — Reserves

0.2% 6

🏅

Previously served

4.5% 157

👤

Never served

95.3% 3,317

Source: ABS Census 2021 G22 — ADF Service by SAL

Lake Cathie Unpaid Carers

🤲

Provided unpaid assistance

14.6% 506

—

Did not provide

85.4% 2,964

Source: ABS Census 2021 G25 — Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Lake Cathie Children Ever Born

No children

22.1%

1 child

11.0%

2 children

36.4%

3 children

22.6%

4 children

6.6%

5+ children

1.4%

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

Lake Cathie When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951

1951–1960

1961–1970

119

1971–1980

1981–1990

1991–2000

2001–2010

2011–2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

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

Lake Cathie Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours

17.1%

5–14 hours

32.0%

15–29 hours

16.4%

30+ hours

11.5%

Did not do domestic work

23.1%

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

Lake Cathie Household Size

1 person

23.0%

2 persons

45.2%

3 persons

11.7%

4 persons

12.3%

5 persons

5.5%

6+ persons

2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G35 — Household Size by SAL

Lake Cathie Where Residents Moved From

Same address

3,553

Moved from NSW

362

Moved — same area (SA2)

138

Moved from QLD

Moved from overseas

Moved from VIC

Moved from ACT

Moved from NT

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

Lake Cathie Family Blending

Intact family — no other children

83.1%

Step family — no other children

11.0%

Blended family — no other children

3.8%

Other couple — children only

2.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G31 — Family Blending by SAL

Lake Cathie Crime Statistics

Reported offences in 2025-26 — 30 total

Other Against Property

Assault

Theft

Other Against Person

Sexual Offences

Property Damage

Offence trend by year:

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR — bocsar.nsw.gov.au

Lake Cathie Schools

schools nearby

government

1007

avg ICSEA score

395

total students

Lake Cathie Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 395 students

1007

ICSEA

Source: ACARA — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, 2025. ICSEA = Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

View all schools in Lake Cathie with map →

Lake Cathie Rent Prices & Affordability

30%

of income

Moderate

Household Income $1,275/wk

Median Rent $380/wk

Rent-to-Income 29.8%

Rent is between 25–35% of household income — moderate housing costs.

If you earn X in Lake Cathie

Your weekly income

≈ $5,525/month

Median rent $380/wk

Left after rent $895/wk

Rent share 29.8%

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Harden

Income: $550/wk Rent: $220/wk Save: $160/wk

Corowa

Income: $634/wk Rent: $230/wk Save: $150/wk

Crookwell

Income: $639/wk Rent: $280/wk Save: $100/wk

Moruya

Income: $592/wk Rent: $300/wk Save: $80/wk

Dungog

Income: $582/wk Rent: $300/wk Save: $80/wk

Evans Head

Income: $638/wk Rent: $321/wk Save: $59/wk

Lemon Tree Passage

Income: $533/wk Rent: $365/wk Save: $15/wk

Finley

Income: $636/wk Rent: $175/wk Save: $205/wk

Lake Cathie vs State & National Average

Nearby Suburbs in NSW

Berkshire Park

Pop: 2,149 Income: $756/wk Rent: $450/wk

Cringila

Pop: 2,156 Income: $459/wk Rent: $350/wk

Cheltenham (NSW)

Pop: 2,166 Income: $1,159/wk Rent: $695/wk

Moonee Beach

Pop: 2,176 Income: $801/wk Rent: $450/wk

Gobbagombalin

Pop: 2,184 Income: $1,231/wk Rent: $410/wk

Tarrawanna

Pop: 2,184 Income: $674/wk Rent: $340/wk

Compare Lake Cathie

Lake Cathie vs Berkshire Park →Lake Cathie vs Cringila →Lake Cathie vs Cheltenham (NSW) →Lake Cathie vs Moonee Beach →

Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Cathie

What is the population of Lake Cathie NSW?

The population of Lake Cathie NSW is 4,296 according to the ABS Census 2021.The suburb has a population density of 223.8 people per km².Lake Cathie is ranked #1,793 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Lake Cathie?

The median personal income in Lake Cathie NSW is $658 per week, or $34,216 per year.The median household income is $1,275 per week.Family income is $1,485 per week.Lake Cathie is ranked #6,188 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Lake Cathie?

Median rent in Lake Cathie NSW is $380 per week ($1,647 per month).Rent represents 29.8% of household income, which is considered moderate.Lake Cathie ranks #2,445 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Lake Cathie?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Lake Cathie NSW is $1,850. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Lake Cathie?

The median age in Lake Cathie NSW is 52 years.This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Lake Cathie a good suburb to live in?

Lake Cathie is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 4,296.The median income is $658/wk, which is below the NSW average of $781/wk.Rent affordability is rated as moderate (29.8% 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: 12251. All dollar figures in AUD.