Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth

An assessment of population growth drivers in Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth's population, as of May 2026, is approximately 20,936, reflecting a 1.0% increase since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 20,732. This growth is inferred from ABS estimates and validated new addresses between June 2025 and May 2026. The population density is 2,751 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessments. The area's 1.0% growth since the census compares favorably with its SA4 region's 3.7%, indicating strong growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 82.5% of recent population gains. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a 2022 base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections where applicable, released in 2022 with a 2021 base year.

For the years 2032 to 2041, these projections indicate an overall population decline of 101 persons by 2041, but growth is anticipated in specific age cohorts, notably the 85 and over group, which is projected to increase by 459 people.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth has recorded approximately 60 residential property approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25304 homes were approved, with a further 45 approved in FY26 as of now. Despite population decline, development activity has been adequate relative to other areas, benefiting buyers while developers focus on premium market segments, with average dwelling construction costs at $792,000.

This year, $18.6 million worth of commercial approvals have been registered, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth shows moderately higher construction activity, 24.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period, maintaining good buyer choice and supporting existing property values. However, this activity is lower than the national average, suggesting market maturity and possible development constraints. Recent construction comprises 51.0% standalone homes and 49.0% attached dwellings, offering a mix of medium-density options across various price brackets.

The area has approximately 381 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its established nature. With population projections indicating stability or decline, Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth is expected to experience reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 14 projects that are likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Totem Road Precinct - Balgowlah Heights (commencing in Jun-20XX), Seaforth Village Masterplan & Redevelopment (expected completion in Dec-20XX), Balgowlah Village Shopping Centre Refurbishment (scheduled for Sep-20XX), and Seaforth Public School Expansion & Modernisation (planned start date: Feb-20XY). The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

While Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.8%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth has a highly educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. The unemployment rate as of December 2025 is 3.8%, lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. There are 11,209 residents employed, representing a participation rate on par with Greater Sydney at 68.8%.

According to Census responses, 62.7% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant employment sectors include professional & technical, finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance. Professional & technical jobs are particularly concentrated, with levels at 1.7 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 11.0% compared to the regional average of 14.1%.

The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data. Over the year to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.2%, while employment declined by 1.7%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 1.4 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.2% and labour force growth of 2.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth's employment should increase by 7.4% over five years and 14.7% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

AreaSearch aggregated latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023. Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $75,428 and an average level of $149,660. These figures place it in the top percentile nationally, compared to Greater Sydney levels of $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. With Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates are approximately $83,212 (median) and $165,105 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth rank highly nationally, between the 94th and 99th percentiles. Income distribution shows that 44.7% of the population (9,358 individuals) fall within the $4000+ income range, unlike regional trends where 30.9% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. The area demonstrates affluence with 55.4% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. Housing accounts for 14.9% of income, while strong earnings place residents within the 98th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The dwelling structure in Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth, as per the latest Census conducted on 28 August 2016, consisted of 65.4% houses and 34.6% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In comparison, Sydney metropolitan area had 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. The home ownership level in Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth was higher than that of Sydney metro at 39.9%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (38.7%) or rented (21.4%). As of the time of the Census, the median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $4,000, significantly higher than the Sydney metro average of $2,427 and the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure for Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth was recorded at $697, substantially above the Sydney metro figure of $470 and the national average of $375.

Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 80.0% of all households, including 45.8% couples with children, 24.8% couples without children, and 8.6% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 20.0%, with lone person households at 17.4% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7 people.

Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth's residents aged 15+ have a higher university qualification rate of 51.9% compared to Australia's 30.4% and NSW's 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 35.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (13.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.5%). Vocational pathways account for 22.0%, with advanced diplomas at 11.2% and certificates at 10.8%. Educational participation is high, with 33.2% currently enrolled in formal education: 11.3% in primary, 10.4% in secondary, and 6.0% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 33.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.3% in primary education, 10.4% in secondary education, and 6.0% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth has 208 active public transport stops, served by 73 routes offering 4,466 weekly passenger trips. The average distance to the nearest stop is 127 meters. Most residents commute outward using cars (79%), with buses at 9% and walking at 5%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.4 per dwelling. In 2021 Census data, possibly influenced by COVID-19 conditions, 62.7% of residents worked from home. Service frequency averages 638 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 21 weekly trips per stop.

The map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth shows excellent health outcomes, as assessed by AreaSearch. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are very low across all age groups. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 85% of the total population (17,774 people), compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and arthritis, affecting 6.2 and 5.4% of residents respectively. 77.5% of residents claim to be completely free from medical ailments, compared to 74.6% in Greater Sydney. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 16.8%, with 3,523 people, compared to 15.5% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth, as per the 2016 Census, had a higher cultural diversity than most local areas with 14.3% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 32.9% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 51.5%. Judaism was overrepresented at 0.4%, compared to 0.8% in Greater Sydney.

The top three ancestry groups were English (30.5%), Australian (21.0%), and Irish (9.8%). Notably, French (1.1%) South Australian (1.3%) and Welsh (0.9%) ethnicities were overrepresented compared to the regional averages of 0.5%, 0.5% and 0.4% respectively.

Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth is 42 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and Australia's national average of 38 years. The age group of 45-54 years has a strong representation at 16.5%, compared to the Greater Sydney average, while the 25-34 year age group is less prevalent at 7.5%. According to data from the 2021 Census, the population aged 15 to 24 years has grown from 12.3% to 15.3%, whereas the 35 to 44 year age group has declined from 12.7% to 11.1%. The 5 to 14 year age group has also decreased, from 16.1% to 14.7%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes in Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth. The 85+ age group is expected to grow by 80%, reaching 973 people from the current 540. Notably, all of this growth will come from the combined 65+ age groups, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 55-64 and 25-34 year age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.