Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth
Statistical Area - sa2

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 is around 20,908 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 176 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 20,732. The change is inferred from ABS' estimated resident population of 20,897 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,747 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessment. Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth's 0.8% growth since census positions it within 2.3 percentage points of its SA4 region (3.1%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 77.5% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch uses NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Projections indicate an overall population decline, with the area's population expected to shrink by 111 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are anticipated to grow, led by the 85 and over age group projected to grow by 470 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 received approximately 60 residential property approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that between Financial Year 21 and Financial Year 25304 dwellings were approved. As of FY-26, 12 approvals have been granted. Despite population decline, development activity has been sufficient relative to the area's size, favouring buyers while showing a focus on premium developments with an average construction cost value of $965,000.

This financial year has seen $18.6 million in commercial approvals, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth exhibits moderately higher construction activity, 23.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years, offering good buyer choice and supporting existing property values. However, this activity is lower than national levels, suggesting market maturity and possible development constraints. Recent construction comprises 51.0% standalone homes and 49.0% attached dwellings, expanding medium-density options across various price brackets.

The area has approximately 381 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established location with population projections showing stability or decline, which should reduce housing demand pressures and benefit potential buyers.

Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Local infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified eight projects likely impacting this region. Notable projects are Beaches Link Tunnel, Military Road Mega Lot Apartment Development, Le Onde, and North Manly Recreation Site Redevelopment. The following list details those most relevant:.

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

The employment environment in Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth has a highly educated workforce with a notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate as of June 2025 was 3.0%, below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

There are 11,340 residents employed, representing a 65.4% participation rate compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Dominant employment sectors include professional & technical, finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance. Professional & technical employment is at 1.7 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance has lower representation at 11.0% versus the regional average of 14.1%.

Over the year to June 2025, labour force levels remained stable while employment declined by 1.2%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.6% and labour force growth of 2.9%. As of Sep-25, NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%, slightly below the national rate of 4.5%. Job forecasts from May 2025 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.4%% over five years and 14.7% over ten years.

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 2022. Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth had a median taxpayer income of $72,636 and an average income of $150,159. These figures place it in the top percentile nationally, compared to Greater Sydney's median of $56,994 and average of $80,856. With 10.6% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of March 2025 are approximately $80,335 (median) and $166,076 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth rank between the 94th and 99th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows 44.7% of residents earning $4000+ per week, contrasting with the regional trend of 30.9% earning $1500-$2999 weekly. The area's affluence is evident with 55.4% earning over $3000 weekly, supporting premium retail and services. Housing accounts for 14.9% of income, with residents ranking in the 99th 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

In Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth, as per the latest Census evaluation, 65.4% of dwellings were houses while 34.6% consisted of semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This contrasts with Sydney metro's 36.7% houses and 63.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth stood at 39.9%, with mortgaged properties at 38.7% and rented ones at 21.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $4,000, exceeding Sydney metro's average of $3,800. Median weekly rent in the area was $697 compared to Sydney metro's $720. Nationally, Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents substantially exceeded the national figure 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, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.

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

Educational attainment in Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth is notably high, with 51.9% of residents aged 15 and over holding university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% statewide as of the latest available data. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 35.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (13.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.5%). Vocational pathways account for 22.0% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 11.2% and certificates at 10.8%. Educational participation is 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 as of the reported period. The area's five schools have a combined enrollment of 3,277 students. Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth demonstrates strong educational performance with an ICSEA score of 1153, indicating its schools are among the most advantaged nationally. Education provision is balanced with four primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs, with 15.7 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 12.2, suggesting the area serves as an educational hub for the broader region.

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

Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth area has 159 active public transport stops. These stops offer a mix of bus services, with 73 individual routes operating in total. Collectively, these routes facilitate 4005 weekly passenger trips.

Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 127 meters to the nearest stop. Daily service frequency averages 572 trips across all routes, translating to approximately 25 weekly trips per individual stop.

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, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all ages. The area has an exceptionally high rate of private health cover at approximately 86% (17,897 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

Asthma and arthritis were found to be the most common medical conditions, affecting 6.2% and 5.4% of residents respectively. A total of 77.5% declared themselves completely free from medical ailments, similar to Greater Sydney's 77.4%. The area has 16.6% (3,474 people) of residents aged 65 and over, with seniors' health outcomes being particularly strong and broadly in line with the general population's profile.

Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth has a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 14.3% speaking a language other than English at home and 32.9% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 51.5%. Judaism, however, is more prevalent in Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth compared to Greater Sydney, comprising 0.4% versus 0.4%.

The top three ancestral groups are English (30.5%), Australian (21.0%), and Irish (9.8%). Notably, French (1.1%) South African (1.3%) and Welsh (0.9%) ethnicities have higher representation in Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth compared to regional averages.

Balgowlah - Clontarf - Seaforth hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth is 42 years, significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years, and also older than Australia's median age of 38 years. The 45-54 age group comprises 16.9% of the population, higher than Greater Sydney's percentage, while the 25-34 cohort makes up only 7.1%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 12.3% to 14.6%, but the 35 to 44 cohort has decreased from 12.7% to 11.2%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes in Balgowlah-Clontarf-Seaforth. The 85+ age group is projected to grow by 89%, adding 451 people and reaching a total of 960 from the current 508. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 98% of the total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 25 to 34 and 15 to 24 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.