Seaforth (NSW)

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

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Seaforth (NSW) is around 7,350, reflecting a decrease of 34 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,384. This estimation is based on AreaSearch's examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 42 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 2,363 persons per square kilometer, placing Seaforth in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 78.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch's projections for Seaforth are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a 2022 base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a 2021 base year for areas not covered by the former data.

These projections indicate an overall population decline of 40 persons by 2041, with a significant increase of 150 people in the 85 and over age group during this period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data indicates Seaforth has experienced around 26 dwellings receiving development approval each year. Approximately 131 homes have been approved over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, with an additional 22 approved so far in FY-26. Despite a falling population during this period, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a well-balanced market with good buyer choice.

The average expected construction cost value of new properties is $965,000, suggesting developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. This financial year has seen $9.1 million in commercial approvals, indicating limited commercial development focus compared to residential activity. When measured against Greater Sydney, Seaforth shows 52.0% higher new home approvals per person, creating greater choice for buyers. However, this activity is below the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. New development consists of 50.0% standalone homes and 50.0% attached dwellings, focusing on higher-density living to create more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This represents a considerable change from the current housing mix, which is currently 87.0% houses, reflecting reduced availability of development sites and shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. Seaforth shows characteristics of a low density area with around 312 people per dwelling approval.

With population projections indicating stability or decline, Seaforth should see reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers in the future.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects likely to impact the area: Seaforth Village Masterplan & Redevelopment, Seaforth Public School Expansion & Modernisation, Sangrado Road Residential Development, and Beaches Link Tunnel. Details about these key projects are provided below.

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

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Employment performance in Seaforth has been broadly consistent with national averages

Seaforth has a highly educated workforce, with the technology sector notably represented. Its unemployment rate is 3.5%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, 3,803 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.7% lower than Greater Sydney's 4.2%.

Workforce participation is similar to Greater Sydney's at 68.8%. Census responses indicate that 62.7% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. The dominant employment sectors are professional & technical, finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance. Seaforth specializes in professional & technical jobs, with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level, while health care & social assistance has a limited presence at 10.8% compared to the regional 14.1%.

The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.6%, alongside a 2.0% employment decline, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.3 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.2%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Seaforth's employment mix indicates potential local employment increases of 7.4% over five years and 14.6% over ten years, though these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localised population projections.

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

In financial year 2023, Seaforth suburb had a median taxpayer income of $71,559 and an average income of $147,933. Nationally, these figures place Seaforth in the top percentile. Compared to Greater Sydney's median of $60,817 and average of $83,003, Seaforth's incomes are higher. By March 2026, adjusted for a 10.32% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, estimated median income would be approximately $78,944 and average income around $163,200. Census data shows Seaforth's household, family, and personal incomes rank between the 93rd and 99th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile indicates that 51.1% of residents (3,755 people) earn over $4,000 per week, differing from Greater Sydney where the dominant bracket is $1,500 - $2,999. This high earning proportion places Seaforth's economic capacity in the 61st percentile nationally. Housing costs account for 14% of income, and residents rank in the 99th percentile for disposable income. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking is in the 10th decile.

Seaforth is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Seaforth's dwellings, as per the latest Census, were 86.8% houses and 13.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Sydney metro's 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Seaforth was 39.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 44.2% and rented ones at 16.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $4,333, above Sydney metro's average of $2,427. The median weekly rent was $875, higher than Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Seaforth's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 86.6% of all households, including 53.9% couples with children, 23.5% couples without children, and 8.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 13.4%, with lone person households at 11.4% and group households comprising 1.6%. The median household size is 3.1 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

Seaforth's residents aged 15+ have a notably higher proportion with university qualifications, at 50.7%, compared to the national average of 30.4% and NSW's 32.2%. The area's educational advantage is evident in its Bachelor degree holders (34.8%), postgraduate qualifications (12.8%), and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational pathways also contribute significantly, with advanced diplomas at 11.2% and certificates at 11.2%. Educational participation is high, with 35.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including primary (12.1%), secondary (11.6%), and tertiary (5.8%) levels.

Educational participation is notably high, with 35.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.1% in primary education, 11.6% in secondary education, and 5.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Seaforth has 82 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 54 different routes that together facilitate 4,064 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from a resident's home to the nearest transport stop is 132 meters, indicating excellent accessibility. In this predominantly residential area, most commuting is outward-bound. Cars remain the primary mode of transport, used by 85% of residents, while buses are used by 7%. On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling in Seaforth, which is higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 62.7% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 580 trips per day, equating to approximately 49 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Seaforth's health outcomes show excellent results based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were very low across all age groups. Private health cover was exceptionally high at approximately 85% of Seaforth's total population of 6,254 people, compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions were asthma (6.1%) and mental health issues (5.5%). A higher proportion of residents, 77.5%, declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments than in Greater Sydney (74.6%). Seaforth has 16.5% of residents aged 65 and over (1,212 people), which is higher than Greater Sydney's 15.5%. Health outcomes among seniors are strong and align with national rankings for the general population.

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

Seaforth's population was found to be more linguistically diverse than most local areas, with 15.5% speaking a language other than English at home as of 2016. In terms of birthplace, 33.3% of Seaforth residents were born overseas by 2016. Christianity was the predominant religion in Seaforth, accounting for 53.3% of its population in 2016.

However, Judaism was overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, comprising 0.3% of Seaforth's population in 2016 versus 0.8% regionally. Regarding ancestry, the top three groups in Seaforth were English at 29.8%, Australian at 20.6%, and Irish at 9.7%. Notably, Welsh (0.9%) was overrepresented compared to the regional average of 0.4%, as were French (1.0% vs 0.5%) and South Australian (1.2% vs 0.5%) residents in Seaforth by 2016.

Seaforth's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Seaforth is 42 years, significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and Australia's national average of 38 years. The 45-54 age group constitutes a strong 17.0% of the population in Seaforth, compared to Greater Sydney's figure, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 6.2%, below the national average of 12.0%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 12.9% to 16.0% of Seaforth's population, while the 35 to 44 cohort has declined from 12.2% to 10.4%, and the 5 to 14 group has dropped from 17.3% to 15.6%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Seaforth, with the 85+ age group expected to grow by 79% (144 people), reaching a total of 328 from 183. Notably, all population growth will be accounted for by the combined 65+ age groups, reflecting Seaforth's aging demographic profile. Conversely, the 55-64 and 25-34 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.