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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Seaforth - Calen has an estimated 8,804 residents, up from 8,181 at the 2021 Census — a change of 623 people, or 7.6%. Growth has averaged 1.5% a year over five years. 327 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 67.9% of that increase. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to demographic evaluations by AreaSearch, the resident count for Seaforth - Calen stands at approximately 8,804 as of Aug 2026. Compared to the 2021 Census count of 8,181 people, this represents an expansion of 623 people (7.6%). This adjustment stems from an ABS estimated resident population figure of 8,785 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 327 validated new addresses identified following the Census. With a density metric of 4.2 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers substantial living space for its community. Outperforming the broader SA3 area (7.0%), Seaforth - Calen's 7.6% growth rate since the 2021 census positions it as a standout performer for regional population expansion.
Inward interstate migration served as the primary growth catalyst, generating roughly 67.9% of total demographic additions over recent periods, with natural growth and overseas migration also providing positive contributions. Projections published by ABS/Geoscience Australia in 2024 (anchored to 2022 baseline figures) are used by AreaSearch across SA2 regions. In instances where locations lack coverage in that series, or for timeframes beyond 2032, figures from the Queensland State Government's SA2 projections (released in 2023 utilizing 2021 data) are integrated. Because those state models omit age cohort breakdowns, AreaSearch incorporates age-specific proportional weighting from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (published in 2023 based on 2022 data). Demographic forecasts suggest future population gains will track just below the median seen across non-metropolitan Australian regions, with Seaforth - Calen anticipated to add 882 persons through to 2041 relative to latest annual ERP population benchmarks, equating to total growth of 9.8% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
172 new dwellings have been approved in Seaforth - Calen over the past five years, an average of 34 a year. That places the area in the 66th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 4 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 34 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 100% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals across Seaforth - Calen have averaged approximately 34 dwellings each year, totaling 172 homes sanctioned across the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26). With an influx averaging 3.8 new residents per year per residential completion across the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), local housing demand heavily exceeds newly built stock, a dynamic that generally fuels purchasing competition and elevates real estate pricing, while the mean construction cost of newly built homes sits at $528,000. Additionally, commercial development approvals reached $3.5 million over the current financial year, underlining the district's predominantly residential character.
When evaluated against Rest of Qld, building activity in Seaforth - Calen is relatively heightened (running 16.0% above the regional per capita benchmark across the 5 year period), which provides choices for purchasers while supporting local asset valuations. Furthermore, residential development has consisted exclusively of standalone houses, reinforcing the low-density footprint through separate dwellings that appeal to lifestyle and space-focused buyers. Approvals reflect a developing market dynamic, registering approximately 262 people per dwelling approval. Projecting forward from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Seaforth - Calen is forecasted to gain an extra 863 residents leading up to 2041. Ongoing building volumes show alignment with future demographic requirements, supporting balanced property conditions and mitigating runaway price pressures.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Seaforth - Calen
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Seaforth - Calen, worth an estimated $6 million. A further 74 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $18.9 billion. 27 are already under construction and 28 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans transport & logistics, residential development and sports & recreation. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Infrastructure investments, planning schemes, and regional initiatives play a defining role in shaping local performance. In total, AreaSearch has highlighted 77 key projects expected to influence the district, with prominent undertakings including the Marian Reservoir Upgrade, Nabilla Meadows Estate, Peak Downs Highway Safety Upgrades (Mackay to Eton), and the Nell Baker Park Upgrade.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Pioneer Valley Digital Infrastructure
$6 million fixed wireless infrastructure across Pioneer Valley townships including Finch Hatton, Pinnacle, Gargett, Eungella. Benefits 4,500+ residents with improved digital speeds.
Peak Downs Highway Safety Upgrades (Mackay to Eton)
Safety upgrades including widening, removing roadside hazards, town entry treatments, and line-marking to improve road safety on the Peak Downs Highway.
Nabilla Meadows Estate
Master-planned residential estate in Marian, 20 minutes from Mackay's CBD, developed by Pointglen Developments. The community is being delivered in stages and will grow to more than 600 allotments including public open space and landscaped swales, with Stage 7 lots now selling. Queensland Government Residential Activation Fund support of 8.01 million dollars is enabling a new regional sewer pump station, culvert upgrades, and stormwater infrastructure to unlock further residential growth in Marian. Family-sized flat lots are offered close to Marian Town Centre with house and land packages available.
Marian Reservoir Upgrade
Upgrade of Marian No. 1 ground-level reservoir to improve capacity and reliability, avoiding the need for a new reservoir and enhancing local water security.
Nell Baker Park Upgrade
Upgrade of local park in Marian delivering new modern play equipment with shade structure, picnic table and bubbler, while retaining the half basketball court; project is complete and open to the public.
Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro
The project involves the development of a pumped hydro energy storage scheme with generation capacity options up to 5,000 MW and 120,000 MWh storage to support Queensland's transition to renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide reliable electricity. Note: The project was cancelled in November 2024.
Riverbend Estate
Masterplanned residential community in Mirani, Mackay, consisting of 210 new homesites ranging from 776m2 to 940m2. The project received a $3.4 million grant from the Queensland Government's Residential Activation Fund for critical trunk infrastructure including external roadworks, intersections, a stormwater basin, and sewer network.
Royal Sands Mackay Estate
A large-scale master-planned residential estate in Bucasia, Mackay, featuring over 400 residential lots with house and land packages just off Shoal Point Road. The development integrates with natural surroundings, offering beachside living with parklands and tree-lined streets approximately 5 minutes walk from Bucasia Beach and Mackay's Northshore. Stage 10 land is sold out, Stage 11 is around 75 percent sold, and Stage 12 has just been released, with homes under construction by local builders.
4,586 residents of Seaforth - Calen are employed, from a labour force of 4,730. Unemployment sits at 3.0%, with participation at 65.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 7,105, about 81% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour pool across Seaforth - Calen features a balanced spread of white-collar and blue-collar occupations, underpinned by a notable industrial and manufacturing footprint, an unemployment rate standing at 3.0%, and annual employment gains estimated at 4.4%. Records for March 2026 indicate 4,586 working residents, alongside an unemployment rate tracking 0.9% lower than the 3.9% recorded across Regional Qld, while labor force participation aligns closely with the Regional Qld benchmark of 64.2%. Census figures indicated that 10.1% of working locals operated from home, though historic Covid-19 restrictions provide context for that metric.
Resident employment demonstrates high concentrations within agriculture, forestry & fishing, construction, and mining. Mining represents an exceptionally specialized industry locally, capturing an employment share 4.2 times that of the regional benchmark. Conversely, health care & social assistance engages 9.2% of the local workforce, trailing the Regional Qld level of 16.1%. Comparing Census working population counts against resident population figures suggests a relatively constrained pool of local workplace positions. Analysis of ABS and SALM figures by AreaSearch indicates that over the 12-month period, workforce numbers expanded by 5.7% while resident employment rose by 4.4%, yielding a 1.2 percentage points increase in the local unemployment rate. By comparison, Regional Qld experienced a 0.1% rise in employment, a 0.3% lift in the labour force, and a 0.1 percentage points uptick in unemployment. Broader perspective on medium-term local opportunities is provided by Jobs and Skills Australia's national projections from Mar-26. These five and ten-year sectoral outlooks have been aligned against the local occupational profile to model projected workforce expansion. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% over ten years, with distinct variances across industry categories. Applying these industry weightings to the Seaforth - Calen labor profile suggests local jobs could grow by 5.1% across five years and 11.5% across ten years (noting this represents an illustrative weighting extrapolation rather than a local demographic forecast).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Seaforth - Calen is $1,661 a week (about $86,000 a year), with median personal income at $744 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $58,532 a year against an average of $73,055. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Postcode-level ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place earnings in the Seaforth - Calen SA2 above national benchmarks, showing a median assessed income of $58,532 alongside an average figure of $73,055. These metrics outpace Regional Qld, where median and average incomes stood at $53,146 and $66,593, respectively. Accounting for an 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, indexed values for March 2026 equate to roughly $65,181 for median earnings and $81,354 on average. Census records show family, household, and individual earnings ranking moderately within the 37th to 45th percentiles.
The primary income tier is the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, capturing 27.8% of residents (2,447 people), which mirrors the broader regional concentration of 31.7%. Local accommodation costs remain contained with 88.0% of earnings retained, though disposable income levels sit at the 50th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Seaforth - Calen had 2,839 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 96% detached houses and 1% apartments. 41% are owned with a mortgage, 13% rented and 46% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,755 a month. Rent absorbs 15.1% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the latest Census, the residential landscape of Seaforth - Calen was composed of 96.2% houses alongside 3.8% other dwellings (including apartments, semi-detached properties, and 'other' structures), contrasting with Regional Qld where houses accounted for 76.4% and other dwellings made up 23.6%. Outright home ownership reached 45.6%, substantially surpassing regional figures, with remaining homes being mortgaged (41.2%) or tenanted (13.2%). Local median mortgage payments stood at $1,755 monthly compared to $1,655 in Regional Qld, while median weekly rent was $250 against $345 regionally. Against national averages, Seaforth - Calen records lower mortgage commitments than the Australian average of $1,863, while rental rates sit markedly below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Seaforth - Calen counted 2,839 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 3,055 today, averaging 2.6 people each. 32% are couples with children, against 38% couples without children. 21% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.1 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The domestic profile is heavily weighted toward family households, which represent 77.2% of total residences; this includes 38.0% couples without children, 32.0% couples with children, and 6.8% single parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 22.8%, consisting of lone person residences at 20.5% and group arrangements at 2.2%. The average household size sits at 2.6 people, slightly exceeding the Regional Qld metric of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
11.8% of adults in Seaforth - Calen hold a university qualification, including 8.6% with a bachelor degree and 1.4% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 88% of areas nationally. A further 37.8% hold a vocational qualification. 6 schools serve the area, with 469 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 943 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
University attainment levels highlight an educational gap across the locality, with 11.8% of residents holding higher education degrees compared to the Australian average of 30.4%, pointing to potential scope for targeted learning programs. Bachelor degrees form the largest tertiary category at 8.6%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.8% and postgraduate qualifications at 1.4%. Vocational and technical training is widely held, with 45.9% of individuals aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including certificates (37.8%) and advanced diplomas (8.1%). Engagement in formal study is strong, with 29.3% of the community participating in education.
This proportion comprises 11.7% enrolled in secondary schooling, 11.0% attending primary school, and 2.3% enrolled in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Seaforth - Calen means driving: households keep an average of 2.0 vehicles, and no scheduled public transport appears in the current timetable feeds. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
68.9% of residents in Seaforth - Calen report no long-term health condition. 4.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 55.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Community health measures for Seaforth - Calen remain broadly favorable, with AreaSearch evaluations of mortality statistics and medical diagnoses aligning with national averages. Standard prevalence of common ailments is observed across younger and older demographics alike, while private health insurance participation is notably high at roughly 55% of residents (~4,877 people), outpacing the Regional Qld rate of 52.5%. Arthritis and asthma represent the most frequently reported long-term conditions, affecting 9.2% and 7.0% of the population, respectively, while 68.9% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld.
Chronic conditions are somewhat elevated among the working-age cohort. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 21.7% of the community (1,913 people), exceeding the 20.3% share across Regional Qld. Health metrics for local seniors compare favorably to broader standards, achieving national percentiles higher than the wider local populace.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Seaforth - Calen is largely Australian-born, at 90.8% of residents, with 2.3% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (31.8%) and English (29.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures across Seaforth - Calen track below national benchmarks, with 90.8% of individuals born in Australia, 87.2% holding citizenship, and 97.7% speaking only English at home. Christianity represents the predominant religious affiliation, encompassing 62.2% of the local population, compared to 52.2% recorded throughout Regional Qld. Looking at parental lineage, the primary ancestries reported across Seaforth - Calen are Australian at 31.8% (outstripping the 26.5% regional proportion), English at 29.0%, and Irish at 8.3%. Other distinct cultural representations include a noticeable Maltese presence at 4.3% (against 0.4% across the broader region), Scottish at 8.2% (compared to 7.8%), and German at 5.1% (versus 4.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Seaforth - Calen is 47, older than 84% of areas nationally. 19.1% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Age distributions across Seaforth - Calen align closely with Regional Qld trends, with no standard demographic bracket diverging by more than 6.5 percentage points from regional proportions. The median age is estimated at 47 as at August 2026, identical to the 2021 Census figure, while tracking 6 years above the Regional Qld median of 41 and above the national median of 38 recorded at that Census. The 45 - 64 age bracket has decreased from 34.0% at the Census to an estimated 30.8%. Looking to 2041, residents in the 65+ category will drive the majority of local growth, increasing by 378 residents (20%) to reach 2,291.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Seaforth - Calen
8 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 8 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2025 about a year ago all 1 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jul 2025. | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 327 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (8,181 at the 2021 Census → 8,804 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (312021353). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.