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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 8,801 residents, up from 8,181 at the 2021 Census — a change of 620 people, or 7.6%. Growth has averaged 1.5% a year over five years. 316 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 AreaSearch, the population of Seaforth - Calen is approximately 8,801 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 620 people (7.6%) from the 2021 Census, which documented 8,181 people. This shift is calculated from the ABS estimated resident population of 8,785 in June 2025 combined with 316 validated new addresses registered after the Census. The region's population density stands at 4.2 persons per square kilometer, indicating a low-density living environment. The area's 7.6% population growth since the 2021 census outpaced the wider SA3 region (6.8%), establishing it as a regional growth leader.
The expansion was largely driven by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 67.9% of the population increase, though other factors such as natural increase and overseas migration also made positive contributions. Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 using 2022 as a base year, are utilized for each SA2 region. For locations lacking this data, and for any projections past 2032, Queensland Government SA2 projections from 2023 (utilizing 2021 data) are applied. Because these state-level forecasts do not include age breakdowns, AreaSearch scales age groups proportionally using the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections based on 2022 data. Based on these anticipated demographic trends, the region is projected to experience population growth slightly below the national median for regional areas, with an estimated expansion of 893 residents to 2041 relative to the latest annual ERP, representing a overall increase of 10.0% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
163 new dwellings have been approved in Seaforth - Calen over the past five years, an average of 32 a year. That places the area in the 65th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 4 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 26 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 100% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 38, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Development approvals in Seaforth - Calen average approximately 32 dwellings annually, with 163 residential units approved during the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 35 approved during FY-26 so far. Over the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25), the population grew by an average of 4 residents per year for every new home built, indicating that supply is trailing demand, which typically intensifies buyer competition and exerts upward pressure on prices, with new homes registering an average construction value of $395,000. Furthermore, commercial approvals have reached $3.5 million this financial year, highlighting the predominantly residential makeup of the community.
Relative to the Rest of Qld, construction activity per capita in Seaforth - Calen is similar, which aids in maintaining market equilibrium aligned with regional trends, even though building activity has slowed down recently. Additionally, all new building activity has consisted of detached houses, preserving the low-density residential profile of the area and offering spacious options suitable for families. With a ratio of about 337 people for each approval, Seaforth - Calen is showing signs of a transitioning market. Long-term demographic forecasts project that Seaforth - Calen will add 877 residents by 2041, measured from the most recent AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Current construction volumes appear to match future needs, which should foster stable market dynamics and prevent significant price escalation.
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 $18.8 billion. 29 are already under construction and 27 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
Local infrastructure projects, major planning proposals, and development initiatives play a significant role in shaping the performance of a region. AreaSearch has identified a total of 77 projects that are expected to impact the local community. Prominent examples include the Peak Downs Highway Safety Upgrades (Mackay to Eton), Nabilla Meadows Estate, Marian Reservoir Upgrade, and the Nell Baker Park Upgrade, with the most relevant initiatives listed in detail below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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 7,102, 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 workforce in Seaforth - Calen features a mix of white-collar and blue-collar roles, with a notable concentration in industrial and manufacturing jobs, a low unemployment rate of 3.0%, and an estimated annual job growth rate of 4.4%. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 4,586, with the unemployment rate sitting 0.9% lower than the Regional Qld rate of 3.9%, and participation levels closely matching Regional Qld's 64.3%. Census data indicates that only a minor share of the workforce (10.1%) worked from home, although this metric may have been influenced by Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.
The primary employment fields for residents are mining, construction, alongside agriculture, forestry & fishing. The area exhibits a strong concentration in mining, with its share of employment reaching 4.2 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance is underrepresented, employing only 9.2% of the local workforce compared to 16.1% across Regional Qld. Comparing the Census working population against the resident population suggests that local employment opportunities are somewhat constrained. Analysis of SALM and ABS statistics by AreaSearch shows that in the year ending March 2026, the number of employed individuals rose by 4.4% while the labour force expanded by 5.7%, leading to a 1.2 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.1% and the labour force grow by 0.3%, resulting in a 0.1 percentage point increase in unemployment. Employment projections released in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia help illustrate potential employment trends in Seaforth - Calen. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future growth. While national employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates of change vary widely across different industries. Applying these sector-specific forecasts to the local employment mix suggests Seaforth - Calen's jobs could grow by 5.1% over five years and 11.5% over ten years, though this is a basic weighted projection for illustration and does not account for local population changes.
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
In the Seaforth - Calen SA2, the median taxpayer income is recorded at $58,532 and the average stands at $73,055, based on the latest postcode data from the ATO aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. These figures exceed the national average and are higher than Regional Qld's median of $53,146 and average of $66,593. Accounting for a Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since financial year 2023, updated estimates suggest figures of roughly $65,181 (median) and $81,354 (average) as of March 2026. According to the Census, household, family, and individual incomes in Seaforth - Calen are relatively modest, falling between the 37th and 45th percentiles.
Income distribution data indicates that 27.8% of residents (representing 2,446 people) earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, which is comparable to the wider region where 31.7% fall into this range. Housing costs are relatively low, allowing residents to keep 88.0% of their earnings, though disposable income is moderate, positioning the area 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
According to the latest Census, the housing stock in Seaforth - Calen is composed of 96.2% houses and 3.8% alternative dwellings like apartments or semi-detached properties, whereas Regional Qld averages 76.4% houses and 23.6% other housing types. Home ownership rates in Seaforth - Calen are high at 45.6%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (41.2%) or rented (13.2%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,755, which is higher than the Regional Qld average of $1,655, while the median weekly rent was $250, compared to $345 in Regional Qld. On a national scale, Seaforth - Calen's mortgage repayments are below the Australian median of $1,863, and rent costs are significantly lower than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Seaforth - Calen counted 2,839 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 3,054 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
Families represent the vast majority of households at 77.2%, which includes 32.0% couples with children, 38.0% couples without children, and 6.8% single-parent households. Non-family households account for the remaining 22.8%, with single-person households making up 20.5% and group living arrangements at 2.2%. The median household size is 2.6 people, slightly higher than the Regional Qld average 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
The locality presents educational gaps, with the percentage of residents holding university degrees (11.8%) sitting well below the national mark of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for focused educational programs. Among degree holders, bachelor degrees are most common at 8.6%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.8% and postgraduate qualifications at 1.4%. Vocational and technical training is highly prevalent, with 45.9% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (8.1%) and certificates (37.8%). Enrollment in education is quite strong, with 29.3% of the population currently undertaking formal studies.
This group includes 11.7% in high school, 11.0% in primary school, and 2.3% enrolled in higher education.
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
Health outcomes for residents of Seaforth - Calen are generally positive. Analysis by AreaSearch indicates that mortality rates and the prevalence of medical conditions align closely with national averages across different age demographics, while private health insurance coverage is notably high, representing approximately 55% of the population (~4,875 people) compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld. Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent health issues, affecting 9.2% and 7.0% of the population respectively, while 68.9% of residents reported having no chronic health conditions, compared to 67.6% in Regional Qld. There is a higher than average rate of chronic conditions among working-age residents.
Seniors aged 65 and older make up 21.2% of the local population (1,869 people), and health outcomes for this cohort are positive, ranking higher nationally than the general population.
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
Seaforth - Calen has a relatively low level of cultural diversity, with citizens making up 87.2% of the population, 90.8% born in Australia, and 97.7% speaking only English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, representing 62.2% of local residents, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. Looking at ancestral backgrounds, the three most common heritages in Seaforth - Calen are Australian at 31.8% of the population, which is notably above the regional average of 26.5%, English at 29.0%, and Irish at 8.3%. There are also distinct local variations in other ancestries, with Maltese residents significantly overrepresented at 4.3% of the population (compared to 0.4% regionally), German at 5.1% (compared to 4.7%), and Scottish at 8.2% (compared to 7.8%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Seaforth - Calen is 47, older than 84% of areas nationally. 19.0% 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
The median age in Seaforth - Calen is 47 years, which is higher than the Regional Qld average of 41 and the national median of 38. The 55 - 64 age bracket is highly represented at 17.4% locally, compared to the regional average, while the 25 - 34 bracket is underrepresented at 8.1%. The share of residents aged 55 - 64 is also higher than the national figure of 11.2%. Since 2021, the cohort aged 0 to 4 grew from 4.5% to 5.8% of the population, while the 45 to 54 cohort decreased from 15.6% to 13.8%, and the 55 to 64 bracket fell from 18.4% to 17.4%.
Demographic models suggest significant shifts by 2041, with the 25 to 34 age group expected to grow by 198 people (28%) from 711 to 910, while the 55 to 64 and 15 to 24 age groups are projected to decline.
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 Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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 — 316 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (8,181 at the 2021 Census → 8,801 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 May 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.