🔍

Frenchs Forest

NSW 2086 • Greater Sydney

14,267
Population (2021)
$161,668
Median Household Income
8.64 km²
Area
$800/wk
Median Rent
Medical PrecinctBushland SettingNorthern BeachesFamily-Friendly

About Frenchs Forest

Frenchs Forest is a Northern Beaches suburb undergoing dramatic transformation, where over 14,000 residents live amid bushland and the new Northern Beaches Hospital precinct. The new hospital has brought development pressure to a previously low-key suburb. Surrounded by Garigal National Park bushland, it maintains a distinctly green character.

The Forest Way shopping precinct handles local needs, while Warringah Mall at nearby Brookvale provides major retail. The bushland setting means kangaroos remain common, and walking tracks provide ready recreation. Frenchs Forest attracts families seeking Northern Beaches living with hospital proximity and bushland surrounds. It's the beaches meeting the bush—green, changing, and family-focused.

Frenchs Forest falls under postcode 2086 and is governed by Northern Beaches Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Davidson electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2086
Urban Area
Manly - Warringah
LGA / Council
Northern Beaches
Federal Electorate
Mackellar
State Electorate
Davidson
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.75°, 151.22°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
8.64 km²
Elevation
148m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Frenchs Forest for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$2.44M
178 sales · ▲ 4.3% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$1.72M
15 sales · ▲ 22.9% vs 2024

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$800
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$3,467
Avg Household Size
3.2 people
Median Age
40 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.7%

6 state housing + 25 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Sydney CBD Varies

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
13 km
By Train
Train access via local station
By Car (Peak)
25-45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20-35 min

🛣️ Located 13 km from Sydney CBD

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be done on foot near the local centre, but most residents rely on a car for daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    Forestway Shopping Centre, Cnr Russell Avenue And Forest Way Frenchs Forest 2086 NSW
  • ALDI
    Cnr Forest Way, Warringah Road, Frenchs Forest NSW 2086

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Northern Beaches Local Government Area, which contains Frenchs Forest. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
62 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 10.9%
Motor vehicle theft
55.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 1.5%
Non-DV assault
204.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
4.4 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
130.4 / 100k
2yr Down 23.8% 10yr Down 9.1%
View all 62 offence types for Northern Beaches →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
13,473
Census 2021
14,267
▲ 5.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$44,876
Personal Income 2021
$53,976
▲ 20.3% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

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

Personal
$53,976 / yr
$1038/wk
Household
$161,668 / yr
$3109/wk
Family
$171,704 / yr
$3302/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 9,812
Born Overseas 4,195

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 1,037
  • 2. China 323
  • 3. New Zealand 312
  • 4. South Africa 270
  • 5. India 126
  • 6. Iran 114
  • 7. United States 110
  • 8. Hong Kong 109
  • 9. Germany 104
  • 10. Ireland 82

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 5,681
Australian 4,682
Irish 1,687
Scottish 1,536
Chinese 840
Italian 654
German 598
Dutch 256
French 236
Indian 224

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

5,828
Both parents born in Australia
5,539
Both parents born overseas
2,581
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.7%
No Religion
41.2%
Buddhism
1.1%
Hinduism
0.7%
Islam
0.4%
Judaism
0.3%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
811 (5.7%)
5-14 years
2,348 (16.5%)
15-19 years
1,101 (7.7%)
20-24 years
777 (5.4%)
25-34 years
1,046 (7.3%)
35-44 years
1,928 (13.5%)
45-54 years
2,408 (16.9%)
55-64 years
1,598 (11.2%)
65-74 years
1,120 (7.9%)
75-84 years
877 (6.1%)
85+ years
256 (1.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Frenchs Forest known for? +

Frenchs Forest is a well-established residential suburb in Northern Beaches, NSW, with a population of approximately 14,267 residents. The suburb is valued for its local schools, parks, and community facilities.

How far is Frenchs Forest from Sydney CBD? +

Frenchs Forest is approximately 13 kilometres from Sydney CBD, typically a 20-35 min drive outside peak hours.

Does Frenchs Forest have public transport? +

Frenchs Forest is served by local bus services connecting to the broader NSW network. Nearby train stations provide access to Sydney CBD.

What is the population of Frenchs Forest? +

According to the 2021 Census, Frenchs Forest has a population of approximately 14,267 residents.

Is Frenchs Forest a good place to live? +

Frenchs Forest offers a practical and liveable lifestyle with local schools, parks, and shopping. With a median income around $56,940, it attracts a broad demographic mix.

What is the postcode for Frenchs Forest? +

The postcode for Frenchs Forest, NSW is 2086.

What is the average income in Frenchs Forest? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Frenchs Forest is about $1,038 per week (around $54,000 per year). The median household income is $3,109 per week and the median family income is $3,302 per week.

What is the median house price in Frenchs Forest? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $2,435,000, up 4.3% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $1,720,000, up 22.9% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Frenchs Forest? +

The median age in Frenchs Forest is 40. The largest age group is 45–54 (2,408 residents, around 17%). Around 30% of residents are under 20 and about 16% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Frenchs Forest a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Frenchs Forest is part of the Northern Beaches 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 Frenchs Forest? +

In Frenchs Forest, the median weekly rent is $800, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $3,467 (2021 Census).