Forster vs Shallow Bay
Forster scores higher on walkability (84/100 vs 0/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Forster (959) sits above Shallow Bay (954). Shallow Bay skews owner-occupied (100%), Forster runs more rental-dense (68% owner).
Buying in Forster or Shallow Bay?
Selling in Forster? The free selling guide
Forster and Shallow Bay side by side
| Measure | Forster | Shallow Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $860,000 | – |
| Median unit | $590,000 | – |
| House price change, 12 months | -2.0% | – |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $650/wk | $650/wk |
| Unit rent | $450/wk | $450/wk |
| Owner occupied | 68.0% | 100.0% |
| Renter occupied | 26.0% | 19.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 6 | 4 |
| Average ICSEA | 959 | 954 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 84 | 0 |
| Transit score | 30 | 0 |
| Bike score | 100 | 0 |
| Population | 14,187 | 68 |
| Median age | 57 | 50 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 1222 mm | 1144 mm |
| Mean max, January | 27.7°C | 28.1°C |
Green dot: better on that measure (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk). Each suburb’s profile gives the source and period of its figures.
Which suits whom
- For buyers
- We don't yet have verified suburb-level medians for one or both of these suburbs. Check the individual profiles for the data we do publish, and the methodology page for how we source it.
- For investors
- Rental or growth data is incomplete for one or both suburbs. Look at the full investor view on each suburb profile for a complete picture.
- For families
- Forster edges out on average school ICSEA (959 vs 954). Shallow Bay also has a higher family-household share (76% vs 62%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Forster vs Shallow Bay: common questions
Does Forster or Shallow Bay have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Forster scores 959 vs 954 in Shallow Bay. ICSEA is a school-community indicator, not a quality rating, so always check NAPLAN results and catchment boundaries for the specific address you're considering.
Which is more walkable, Forster or Shallow Bay?
Forster scores 84/100 on walkability vs 0/100. Above 70 is considered very walkable (most errands on foot), 50-69 is walkable for some errands, below 50 typically requires a car for daily life.
Keep comparing
Compare Forster with
Choosing between Forster and Shallow Bay?
The free buying guide: budget, schemes, inspections and how not to overpay.