🔍

Forest Glen

QLD 4556 • Rest of QLD

1,657
Population (2021)
$72,124
Median Household Income
6.59 km²
Area
$500/wk
Median Rent
Semi-RuralFamily-FriendlyQuietHinterland

About Forest Glen

Forest Glen is a small rural locality on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, situated approximately 12 kilometres south-west of Maroochydore and within the Sunshine Coast Regional Council area. With a population of 1,657 at the 2021 Census, the suburb spans just under 7 square kilometres and sits at a low elevation near the foothills inland from the coast. The community skews older — with a median age of 46 — and household incomes are broadly in line with the wider Sunshine Coast region.

Forest Glen is best known as the gateway to the Sunshine Coast hinterland, with the Forest Glen Sanctuary (formerly Deer Park) having long been a local attraction. The Bruce Highway and Sunshine Motorway provide easy access to Maroochydore, Nambour, and beyond, and residents benefit from proximity to major shopping at Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore. The suburb's relaxed semi-rural character, combined with good road access to coastal and hinterland destinations, makes it appealing to families and older residents seeking a quieter lifestyle within reach of Sunshine Coast amenities.

Forest Glen falls under postcode 4556 and is governed by Sunshine Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Ninderry electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4556
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Sunshine Coast
Federal Electorate
Fairfax
State Electorate
Ninderry
Type
Rural
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-26.68°, 153.02°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
6.59 km²
Elevation
16m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$500
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,089
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
46 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Nambour Station
9 km
N/A — car required
Palmwoods Station
8 km
N/A — car required

Bus Services

  • Sunshine Coast Council local services — Maroochydore / Nambour 20–30 min

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
100 km
By Train
Drive to Nambour or Palmwoods (~8–9 km), then approximately 1 hr 30 min by train to Brisbane Central
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 10 min – 1 hr 40 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
55 min – 1 hr 15 min

🛣️ Bruce Highway and Sunshine Motorway provide the main connections to Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast

Walkability Car-Dependent

Rural locality with no walkable retail precinct; a car is essential for daily errands

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area, which contains Forest Glen. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
329.4 / 100k
2yr Down 17.9% 10yr Down 30.4%
Motor vehicle theft
167.5 / 100k
2yr Down 17.0% 10yr Up 28.8%
Non-FV assault
473.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 152.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
13.8 / 100k
2yr Down 20.0% 10yr Up 12.7%
Steal from vehicle
314.6 / 100k
2yr Down 18.3% 10yr Down 26.9%
View all offence categories for Sunshine Coast →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,390
Census 2021
1,657
▲ 19.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$34,892
Personal Income 2021
$34,112
▼ 2.2% decrease

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$34,112 / yr
$656/wk
Household
$72,124 / yr
$1387/wk
Family
$94,380 / yr
$1815/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,248
Born Overseas 347

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 122
  • 2. New Zealand 81
  • 3. South Africa 19
  • 4. Scotland 11
  • 5. United States 10
  • 6. India 9
  • 7. Wales 9
  • 8. Netherlands 7
  • 9. Canada 6
  • 10. Thailand 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 803
Australian 609
Scottish 207
Irish 165
German 96
Italian 51
Australian Aboriginal 30
Dutch 28
Indian 27
Welsh 20

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

944
Both parents born in Australia
412
Both parents born overseas
228
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.5%
No Religion
41.2%
Buddhism
0.8%
Hinduism
0.7%
Islam
0.3%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
106 (6.4%)
5-14 years
207 (12.5%)
15-19 years
87 (5.3%)
20-24 years
57 (3.4%)
25-34 years
143 (8.6%)
35-44 years
207 (12.5%)
45-54 years
207 (12.5%)
55-64 years
168 (10.1%)
65-74 years
271 (16.4%)
75-84 years
193 (11.6%)
85+ years
23 (1.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Forest Glen QLD known for? +

Forest Glen is known as a quiet semi-rural locality on the Sunshine Coast hinterland fringe, historically associated with the Forest Glen Sanctuary (formerly Forest Glen Deer Park). It offers a relaxed lifestyle with easy road access to the coast and hinterland.

How far is Forest Glen from Maroochydore? +

Forest Glen is approximately 12 kilometres south-west of Maroochydore, typically a 15–20 minute drive via the Sunshine Motorway or local roads.

Does Forest Glen have public transport? +

Public transport in Forest Glen is limited. The nearest train stations are Palmwoods and Nambour, both around 8–9 km away. Bus services connect to surrounding Sunshine Coast centres but a car is the most practical option for most residents.

What is the population of Forest Glen? +

According to the 2021 Census, Forest Glen has a population of 1,657 — a modest increase from 1,390 in 2016. The suburb has a relatively older age profile with a median age of 46.

Is Forest Glen a good place to live? +

Forest Glen suits those seeking a semi-rural Sunshine Coast lifestyle without the density and prices of coastal suburbs. It offers quiet, leafy surroundings with good highway access to Maroochydore, Nambour, and Brisbane, making it popular with families and retirees.

What is the postcode for Forest Glen QLD? +

The postcode for Forest Glen, Queensland is 4556.

What is the average income in Forest Glen? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Forest Glen is about $656 per week (around $34,100 per year). The median household income is $1,387 per week and the median family income is $1,815 per week.

What is the age profile of Forest Glen? +

The median age in Forest Glen is 46. The largest age group is 65–74 (271 residents, around 16%). Around 24% of residents are under 20 and about 29% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Forest Glen a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Forest Glen is part of the Sunshine Coast LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Forest Glen? +

In Forest Glen, the median weekly rent is $500, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,089 (2021 Census).