Sefton

Population growth drivers in Sefton are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of February 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Sefton is around 6,911, reflecting a growth of 611 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,300. This increase was inferred from an estimated resident population of 6,442 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is 3,818 persons per square kilometer, placing Sefton in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Sefton's growth rate of 9.7% since the 2021 census exceeded both the state (7.8%) and Greater Sydney. Overseas migration contributed approximately 63.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. For projections, AreaSearch is using ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for covered SA2 areas, and NSW State Government's SA2-level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for uncovered areas.

Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041. Based on these projections, Sefton is expected to increase by approximately 693 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of around 3.2% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Sefton when compared nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis using ABS building approval numbers from statistical area data, Sefton averaged approximately 28 new dwelling approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 144 homes were approved, with an additional 25 approved in FY-26 so far. Each year, on average, about 2.6 new residents were gained per dwelling built during these five years, indicating a healthy demand that supports property values.

The average construction cost value of new homes was around $400,000. This financial year, Sefton recorded approximately $16.3 million in commercial development approvals, suggesting steady commercial investment activity. In comparison to Greater Sydney, Sefton shows about 64% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 56th percentile nationally when assessed areas are considered. The new development composition consists of 38.0% detached houses and 62.0% attached dwellings, a shift from the current housing mix which is predominantly composed of houses (70.0%). This focus on higher-density living caters to downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers, providing more affordable entry points.

The location has approximately 277 people per dwelling approval, indicating potential for growth. Looking ahead, Sefton is projected to grow by around 224 residents through to 2041, as estimated in the latest AreaSearch quarterly report. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, creating favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Sefton has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified two projects that could impact the area: 101-103 Hector Street Sefton, Chester Square Redevelopment, Abel Tasman Village Seniors Housing, and Henry Lawson Drive Upgrade Program. 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.

Employment drivers in Sefton are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Sefton's workforce comprises skilled individuals with diverse sector representation. The unemployment rate was 9.3% as of an unspecified past year. Employment growth over the same period was estimated at 3.9%.

As of December 2025, Sefton had 2,667 residents in work and an unemployment rate of 5.1%, compared to Greater Sydney's 4.2%. Workforce participation in Sefton was 57.2% compared to Greater Sydney's 70.2%. A significant portion, 33.3%, of Sefton residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key industries employing residents include health care & social assistance, transport, postal & warehousing, and retail trade.

Sefton specializes in transport, postal & warehousing with an employment share 2.0 times the regional level. Conversely, professional & technical services employed only 7.1% of local workers compared to Greater Sydney's 11.5%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Over a 12-month period ending in an unspecified date, employment increased by 3.9% while the labour force grew by 4.4%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment and labour force growth of 2.2% and 2.3% respectively, with a marginal increase in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Sefton's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, although these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localized population projections.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

The suburb of Sefton had an income level below the national average according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year ended June 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Sefton was $42,850, with an average income of $53,314. This compared to Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,003 for the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% from July 2023 to September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $46,647 (median) and $58,038 (average). According to Census data from 2021, individual incomes in Sefton lagged at the 7th percentile with a weekly income of $555, while household incomes performed better at the 37th percentile. The majority of residents, 31.3% or 2,163 people, fell into the $1,500 - $2,999 income bracket, similar to the regional average of 30.9%. Housing affordability pressures were severe in Sefton, with only 80.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 34th percentile.

Sefton displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Sefton's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 70.0% houses and 30.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Sefton stood at 33.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.0% and rented dwellings at 34.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in Sefton was $425, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Sefton's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 77.2% of all households, including 44.2% couples with children, 15.6% couples without children, and 15.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 22.8%, with lone person households at 20.0% and group households comprising 2.7%. The median household size is 3.3 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Educational attainment in Sefton aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 22.9%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 39.1%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 26.1% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (10.3%) and certificates (15.8%). Educational participation is high, with 36.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 12.3% in secondary, 11.0% in primary, and 7.1% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 36.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.3% in secondary education, 11.0% in primary education, and 7.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Sefton has 44 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 15 routes, facilitating 2,278 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is excellent, with residents typically located 135 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Sefton's primarily residential nature. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 83%, while train usage stands at 11%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.4 per dwelling, exceeding the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a high 33.3% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 325 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 51 weekly trips per stop.

Sefton's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Sefton. AreaSearch's assessment indicates low prevalence of common health conditions across both young and old age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (around 3,322 people), compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are arthritis and diabetes, affecting 5.8 and 5.6% of residents respectively. A significant majority, 77.6%, reported being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Sefton has 14.8% of its residents aged 65 and over (around 1,022 people). Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Sefton is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Sefton has a population where 48.8% were born overseas, and 72.6% speak a language other than English at home. The predominant religion is Islam, practiced by 35.7% of Sefton's population, compared to 6.8% in Greater Sydney. The top three ancestry groups are Other (20.5%), Lebanese (16.0%), and Vietnamese (16.0%).

These percentages are higher than the regional averages of 2.6% for Lebanese and 1.8% for Vietnamese. Some other ethnic groups also have notable representation: Chinese at 13.6%, Korean at 0.8%, and Samoan at 0.7%.

Sefton's population is younger than the national pattern

Sefton's median age is 35 years, which is slightly younger than Greater Sydney's 37 years and somewhat younger than the national average of 38 years. The 15-24 age group represents 17.3% of Sefton's population, compared to Greater Sydney's percentage. Meanwhile, the 25-34 cohort makes up 12.1%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 15.8% to 17.3%, while the 25-34 cohort has decreased from 13.0% to 12.1%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes in Sefton. The 75-84 age group is projected to rise substantially, increasing by 169 people (63%) from 269 to 439. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 69% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both the 25-34 and 15-24 age groups are expected to decrease in number.