Seaford (Vic.)

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

As per ABS population updates for the broader area and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Seaford (Vic.) had an estimated population of around 18,369 as of May 2026. This reflected a growth of 1,154 people from the 2021 Census figure of 17,215, marking a 6.7% increase. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 18,305 following examination of ABS' latest ERP data release in June 2025 and an additional 308 validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a density ratio of 1,481 persons per square kilometer, higher than average national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Seaford's growth exceeded both the SA4 region (3.2%) and SA3 area, indicating its status as a growth leader in the region. Natural growth contributed approximately 50% to overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, it utilised VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusting with a method of weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group were applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is expected to grow by 1,792 persons to 2041, reflecting a 9.4% increase over the 16-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Seaford when compared nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Seaford averaged approximately 84 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 420 homes. As of FY-26 so far, 61 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years (FY-21 to FY-25), there has been an average of 1.6 people moving to Seaford for each dwelling built, indicating a balanced supply and demand market with stable conditions. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost value of $500,000, suggesting a developer focus on the premium segment.

In FY-26, Seaford has recorded $39.9 million in commercial development approvals, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Seaford has 52.0% more construction activity per person, offering buyers greater choice. New building activity comprises 39.0% standalone homes and 61.0% townhouses or apartments, reflecting a shift towards higher-density living to create more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This represents a notable change from the area's existing housing composition of 74.0% houses, indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles. Seaford currently reflects approximately 233 people per approval, suggesting a transitioning market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Seaford is expected to grow by 1,728 residents through to 2041.

Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Seaford has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified fifteen projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones are Frankston Basketball and Gymnastics Stadium Redevelopment, Seaford Level Crossing Removal - Armstrongs Road & Station Street, 8A Klauer Street Industrial Development, and Seaford Child, Youth & Family Centre Upgrade and Expansion. The following list details those 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.

Seaford shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Seaford has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 5.6% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.6%. As of December 2025, 9,346 residents were in work, and the unemployment rate was 0.8% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.

Workforce participation lagged at 64.5%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. A high 26.3% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Employment was concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction had a particularly high employment share, at 1.5 times the regional level.

Conversely, professional & technical services showed lower representation at 6.5% compared to the regional average of 10.1%. The area offered limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Over a 12-month period ending in May-25, employment increased by 2.6%, labour force grew by 2.0%, and unemployment fell by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 2.4% and labour force growth of 2.8%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Seaford's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.3% over ten years.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch released postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023. Seaford's median income among taxpayers is $53,931, with an average of $63,005. This is below the national average and compares to Greater Melbourne's median of $57,688 and average of $75,164. As of March 2026, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023 would be approximately $59,119 (median) and $69,066 (average). Census data shows personal income ranks at the 51st percentile ($809 weekly), while household income sits at the 35th percentile. Distribution data indicates that the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 31.7% of the community (5,822 individuals). This mirrors regional levels where 32.8% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 33rd percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Seaford is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Seaford's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 73.7% houses and 26.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Seaford was at 28.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.0% and rented ones at 34.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,850, lower than Melbourne metro's $2,000. The median weekly rent in Seaford was $351, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Seaford's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Seaford features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 62.9% of all households, consisting of 25.3% couples with children, 22.5% couples without children, and 13.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 37.1%, with lone person households at 33.7% and group households comprising 3.4% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Seaford performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

The area's university qualification rate is 23.7%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 16.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (13.1%) and certificates (26.2%). Educational participation is high, with 26.8% currently enrolled in formal education: 9.0% in primary, 6.5% in secondary, and 3.6% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.0% in primary education, 6.5% in secondary education, and 3.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Seaford has 93 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 10 different routes that together facilitate 3,331 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these transport services is rated as good, with residents living an average of 224 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards due to Seaford being primarily residential. Cars remain the dominant mode of transportation, used by 90% of residents. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, a high proportion of residents, at 26.3%, work from home, which may be due to COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 475 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 35 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Seaford is lower than average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Seaford faces significant health challenges as per AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 52% of the total population (~9,509 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne. Mental health issues impact 10.2% of residents, while asthma affects 9.3%. Conversely, 64.1% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Seaford has 19.8% of residents aged 65 and over (3,637 people), higher than the 15.0% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Seaford records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Seaford's cultural diversity was found to be roughly in line with the wider region's average. 86.9% of its population were citizens, 78.9% were born in Australia, and 89.8% spoke English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Seaford, comprising 40.4% of the population.

Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.4%, compared to 1.0% across Greater Melbourne. The top three ancestry groups were English at 29.9%, Australian at 25.7%, and Irish at 9.4%. These figures were substantially higher than the regional averages of 20.1%, 18.4%, and 6.3% respectively. Notably, Russian (0.6%), Hungarian (0.4%), and Dutch (1.6%) ethnic groups were overrepresented in Seaford compared to their respective regional averages of 0.4%, 0.3%, and 1.2%.

Seaford's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Seaford has a median age of 40, which is slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 years and Australia's national average of 38 years. Comparing Seaford's demographic distribution with that of Greater Melbourne, the 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented in Seaford at 10.2%, while individuals aged 25-34 are under-represented at 12.4%. Between 2021 and present, the population of those aged 75 to 84 has increased from 5.9% to 7.0%. Conversely, the proportion of people aged 25 to 34 has decreased from 13.7% to 12.4%. By 2041, demographic projections suggest significant changes in Seaford's age profile. The 75-84 age cohort is expected to grow by 443 people (a 34% increase) from 1,285 to 1,729 individuals. Notably, the combined population of those aged 65 and above will account for 58% of Seaford's total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. Meanwhile, the populations of those aged 0-4 and 5-14 are projected to decrease.