Moving to Frenchs Forest NSW 2086
What the official numbers say about living in Frenchs Forest — before you pack a box.
At a glance
Housing: buy or rent
Renting? The census median is $800 a week, against a median household income of $3,109 a week.
About 84% of homes are owner-occupied and 16% rented, and the most common dwelling type is the house.
Who you'll be living with
Frenchs Forest grew 7% between the 2011 and 2021 censuses (13,322 → 14,267 people).
Around 86% of households are families, averaging 3.2 people per home.
Largest overseas birthplaces: England, China, New Zealand; most spoken languages besides English: Mandarin, French, Cantonese.
On the ABS advantage scale (SEIFA), Frenchs Forest sits in the country’s more advantaged bracket (decile 10 of 10).
The commute
The most common way to work is by car (42% of workers), while 53% work from home.
Nearest train station: Roseville, 6.2 km south-west.
Nearest metro station: Chatswood, 7 km south-west.
Nearest bus interchange: Gordon Interchange, 6.8 km west.
Nearest ferry wharf: Manly Wharf, 7.8 km south-east.
Nearest airport: Rose Bay Seaplane Base, 14 km south.
The Sydney CBD is roughly 14 km away in a straight line.
Daily life
Mapped locally so far: 35 schools · 49 cafes & restaurants · 8 supermarkets · 77 parks · 1 beach — see them all on the Frenchs Forest profile.
What's actually nearby
Schools: Frenchs Forest Public School 500 m · Wakehurst Public School 1.4 km · Forestville Montessori School 1.4 km · Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Primary School 1.5 km · The Treacy Complex 1.6 km · Arranounbai School 1.6 km · Forest High School 1.7 km · Aspect Vern Barnett School 1.9 km
Groceries: Woolworths 400 m · ALDI 450 m · ALDI 1.9 km · Coles 1.9 km · Am Mart 1.9 km · Woolworths 2 km · IGA 2.4 km · IGA Allambie Heights 2.9 km
Parks and reserves: Rabbett Reserve 100 m · Wareham Reserve 400 m · Patongal Park 500 m · Akora Reserve 500 m · Greendale Reserve 750 m · Peppercorn Park 750 m · Brick Pit Reserve 800 m · Wellman Reserve 850 m
What you'll see in the garden
Birds recorded around Frenchs Forest, most often seen first: Rainbow Lorikeet · Noisy Miner · Laughing Kookaburra · Sulphur-crested Cockatoo · Australian Brush-turkey · Australian Magpie.
How the neighbours compare
The suburbs nearest to Frenchs Forest, side by side.
| Suburb | People | Median house | Advantage | Canopy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frenchs Forest here | 14,267 | — | 10/10 | 31% |
| Forestville | 8,659 | — | 10/10 | 38% |
| Belrose | 8,726 | — | 10/10 | 59% |
| Killarney Heights | 4,502 | — | 10/10 | 57% |
| Beacon Hill | 7,814 | — | 10/10 | 28% |
| Allambie Heights | 7,317 | — | 10/10 | 55% |
| Davidson | 2,725 | — | 10/10 | 62% |
Before you move — quick checklist
- Your council will be Northern Beaches — bins, rates, pets and permits live there.
- You'll vote in the federal electorate of Mackellar — update your enrolment address.
- The postcode is 2086 — handy for utility sign-ups and quotes.
- Check street-level details on the full Frenchs Forest profile (map, streets, amenities, wildlife).
In short
Renters pay a median $800 a week, and about 16% of homes here are rented.
The population grew 7% between the 2011 and 2021 censuses, from 13,322 people to 14,267. It sits about 14 km from the Sydney CBD in a straight line, and Roseville station is roughly 6.2 km away. Local government is Northern Beaches council, and the federal seat is Mackellar.
Weighing up alternatives?
Side-by-side: Frenchs Forest vs Forestville · Frenchs Forest vs Belrose.
Nearby guides: Forestville · Belrose · Killarney Heights · Beacon Hill · Allambie Heights · Davidson.
Keep an eye on Frenchs Forest
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