Forrest, VIC
In 2026, police recorded 24 offences in Forrest, or 93.4 per 1,000 residents. That is 1.05× the VIC rate.
Forrest has about 257 residents. Below 300, a few incidents swing the per-person rate wildly, so we show counts but don't rank it.
By crime type, 2026
Rates per 1,000 residents. ×-values compare with the state rate for the same offence type.
Property & deception
11.7 / 1,000
VIC 51.3
· National 49.7
Drug offences
54.5 / 1,000
VIC 5.0
· National 5.9
Public order & weapons
11.7 / 1,000
VIC 4.5
· National 3.2
Justice procedures
15.6 / 1,000
VIC 14.4
· National 10.3
administrative
View as table
| Group | Offence type | Count | Per 1,000 | VIC per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property & deception | Theft | 2 | 7.78 | 33.72 |
| Property & deception | Burglary/Break and enter | 1 | 3.89 | 5.73 |
| Drug offences | Drug use and possession | 14 | 54.47 | 4.12 |
| Public order & weapons | Weapons and explosives offences | 2 | 7.78 | 2.55 |
| Public order & weapons | Disorderly and offensive conduct | 1 | 3.89 | 1.07 |
| Justice procedures | Justice procedures | 2 | 7.78 | 2.09 |
| Justice procedures | Breaches of orders | 2 | 7.78 | 12.35 |
Trend
Recorded offences per year. Projection is a simple linear trend, not a forecast of individual risk.
Vs state & national
per 1,000 residentsNearby suburbs
- Gerangamete13.3 km not ranked compare
- Apollo Bay17.9 km 59 compare
- Cape Otway17.9 km not ranked compare
- Marengo17.9 km not ranked compare
- Skenes Creek17.9 km not ranked compare
- Skenes Creek North17.9 km not ranked compare
- Petticoat Creek17.9 km not ranked compare
- Birregurra19.6 km 7 compare
Housing, rent and growth
Housing & rent
ABS Census 2021Median rent is 27% of median household income. Below the 30% stress benchmark
| Measure | Value | vs other VIC suburbs |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $290/week | higher than 58% |
| Median household income | $1,091/week | higher than 15% |
| Rent as a share of income | 27% | higher than 92% |
| Median mortgage repayment | $1,509/month | higher than 48% |
| Homes that are rented | 14% | higher than 54% |
| Owned outright | 49% | higher than 66% |
| Social housing | 0% | higher than 35% |
| Average household size | 2.1 people | higher than 17% |
2021 Census figures: rents and incomes have risen since, so compare suburbs rather than reading today's prices. The rent share uses the median rent and the median income of all households (owners included), so it is a guide, not the share any one renter pays. The 30% benchmark is a common convention.
Growth & new homes
ABS Regional Population · Building Approvals| Measure | Value | vs other VIC areas |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth, 5 years 2020–2025 | +1.6% | higher than 44% |
| Population growth, last year 2024–2025 | +1.2% | higher than 63% |
| New homes approved, 12 months 12 months to Aug 2026 | 35 | higher than 41% |
| New homes approved per 1,000 residents 12 months to Aug 2026 | 8.8 | higher than 79% |
ABS publishes these for larger areas: figures are for “Otway”, which contains this suburb. Approvals are dwellings approved, not yet built. Growth and new supply are change indicators, not a price forecast.
Common questions about Forrest
What is the crime rate in Forrest?
In 2026, 24 offences were recorded in Forrest, or 93.4 per 1,000 residents. That is 1.0× the VIC rate of 89.1.
Where does this data come from?
Official recorded-crime statistics published by state police and crime statistics agencies, divided by 2021 Census or ABS population estimates. See the methodology page for details.
Data notes
- Population is estimated (medium confidence) from the ABS 2021 Census.
- Recorded crime counts offences reported to or detected by police where they occurred. That includes offences against visitors and businesses, so busy centres score higher than their resident risk.
- States classify offences differently, so ranks compare areas within the same state.