Seabrook
At 96.6% separate houses and a median age of 37, Seabrook is a compact, owner-oriented western Melbourne suburb with 4,952 residents. Household income sits at the 76.4th percentile nationally, while 40.0% of residents were born overseas, 18.4 percentage points above the national share. Compared with nearby Altona Meadows and Laverton, its profile leans toward established family housing: 55.0% of families are couples with children and 44.2% of households have a mortgage. The trade-off is slower change, with forecast annual growth of -0.45% and an aging trajectory.
Population
4,952
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,042/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
3
Median House
$811K
October to December 2025
The typical mortgage repayment is $1,803 per month, while mortgage costs equal 20.4% of household income, below common stress thresholds. Three-bedroom homes account for 57.2% of stock and four-plus-bedroom homes 35.2%, reflecting family demand. Separate houses represent 96.6%, higher than the 0.8% apartment share, so buyers wanting low-maintenance units will find fewer choices than in denser suburbs. Household income at the 76.4th percentile nationally may support purchasing power, but affordability remains address and loan dependent.
For Buyers
The typical mortgage repayment is $1,803 per month, while mortgage costs equal 20.4% of household income, below common stress thresholds. Three-bedroom homes account for 57.2% of stock and four-plus-bedroom homes 35.2%, reflecting family demand. Separate houses represent 96.6%, higher than the 0.8% apartment share, so buyers wanting low-maintenance units will find fewer choices than in denser suburbs. Household income at the 76.4th percentile nationally may support purchasing power, but affordability remains address and loan dependent.
For Investors
Seabrook has a relatively small rental sector, with 19.9% of households renting compared with 35.4% owning outright and 44.2% paying a mortgage. Weekly rent is $361 and vacancy is 4.9%, so investors should test achievable rent and leasing times rather than assume strong tenant competition. Development activity is limited at 3 applications over 12 months, including construction of 3 double-storey dwellings and 2 subdivision proposals, which supports gradual rather than large-scale stock growth. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, but the annual forecast trend is -0.45%, making the outlook more defensive than high-growth markets. Detached housing can appeal to families, although the narrow rental pool may reduce flexibility compared with larger rental precincts.
Development Activity
Total DAs
4
Last 12 Months
3
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
$982K
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Seabrook
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Seabrook Primary School
Demographics
Seabrook's median age is 37, which is 3 years below the national comparison, while the 42.4% university-educated share is 12.3 percentage points above the national figure. The overseas-born proportion is 40.0%, or 18.4 points above the national share, contributing to a broad cultural mix without relying on generic labels. English ancestry is reported by 1,037 residents, followed by Indian ancestry at 487 and Chinese ancestry at 390. Mandarin is spoken by 111 residents, Hindi by 91 and Arabic by 68. Average household size is 2.9 people, 0.4 above the national comparison, because couples with children make up 55.0% of families. Resident stability is also high, with 84.8% staying at the same address.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
96.6%
Houses
2.6%
Townhouse
0.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing is overwhelmingly detached and family-sized, with 96.6% separate houses, 57.2% three-bedroom homes and 35.2% with four or more bedrooms. Tenure is more owner-focused than renter-focused: 35.4% own outright and 44.2% hold a mortgage, versus 19.9% renting. This structure reflects established family housing, but it also means buyers face fewer apartment alternatives than in denser neighbouring areas such as Laverton.
Mortgage / mo
$1,803
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$361
Census 2021
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$823
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.9%
Unoccupied
86
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
55.0%
Couples with children
28.5%
Couples, no children
15.4%
Single parent
1,412
Total families
Economy & Employment
Seabrook's employment base spans healthcare at 12.5% or 208 workers, professional and technical services at 12.2% or 203, education at 10.7% or 178, construction at 9.5% or 158, and public administration at 8.2% or 137. Professionals are the largest occupation group at 594, ahead of clerical and administrative workers at 358 and trades at 337, supporting a mix of office, service and practical employment. Labour-force participation is 66.5%, unemployment is 6.5% and full-time employment is 62.4%. Household income sits at the 76.4th percentile, above the national average position. SEIFA results are IEO decile 6, IER decile 7, IRSD decile 6 and IRSAD decile 6, indicating a generally mid-ranked socioeconomic profile rather than a top-decile one.
Unemployment
6.5%
Labour Force
2,597
Unemployed
168
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
62.4%
Part-time
30.6%
Participation
66.5%
Employed
2,429
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
42.4%
Postgraduate
14.0%
Born Overseas
40.0%
Dwellings
1,654
Transport to Work
Daily travel is strongly car-led: 56.7% drive to work compared with 3.5% using public transport, while 34.2% work from home. That pattern suits households with cars and hybrid work arrangements more than commuters relying on frequent public transport. Seabrook Primary School is the local government primary option; families should confirm enrolment zones against the exact address and compare nearby schools across the wider area. Recorded crime totals 178 offences, equal to 35.9 per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences account for 117, higher than crimes against the person at 38, public order and security offences at 10, and drug offences at 6. IRSAD decile 6 places Seabrook above the lowest five deciles but below the highest comparative position.
Drive
56.7%
Public Transport
3.5%
Walk / Cycle
1.0%
Work from Home
34.2%
Population Forecast
-0.45%/yr
(-22 people/yr)
EstablishedSeabrook has a slow-growth outlook: the forecast annual trend is -0.45%, while population change across the wider area is -0.4% over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, but the suburb follows an Aging trajectory, with the senior share up 4.5 percentage points and the young share down 2.2 points. Rent growth of 24.5% may increase investor interest, yet it does not offset the softer demographic direction. The gentrification score is 0 and the stage is Not gentrifying, so the outlook is lower-growth than a renewal-led suburb. Improving affordability, from 47.0 in 2011 to 43.9 in 2021, may assist selective demand, although established housing and limited development point to incremental change.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+70
Net Internal / yr
-122
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -122/yr
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
178
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
35.9
Offence Categories
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Seabrook compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Seabrook a good suburb to live in?
Seabrook may suit households wanting established detached housing, with 96.6% separate houses and 55.0% of families being couples with children. Household income is at the 76.4th percentile nationally, but public transport use is only 3.5%, so car access matters more than in better-connected suburbs.
What schools are in Seabrook?
Seabrook Primary School is the local government primary school. With 1 local primary option, families should confirm the enrolment zone for the exact address and compare nearby government, independent or Catholic schools before making a housing decision.
Is Seabrook safe?
Seabrook recorded 178 offences at a rate of 35.9 per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences accounted for 117, compared with 38 crimes against the person, 10 public order offences and 6 drug offences. Check current local conditions because crime patterns can change over time.
Is Seabrook good for property investment?
Seabrook can suit a long-term investor seeking detached family housing, but the rental share is 19.9% and vacancy is 4.9%. Weekly rent is $361, while development activity totalled 3 applications in 12 months. The -0.45% annual growth outlook is softer than a high-growth market.
How is Seabrook's population changing?
The outlook is slow and aging rather than expansionary. Forecast annual growth is -0.45%, with wider-area population change of -0.4% over 10 years. The senior share has risen 4.5 points and the young share fallen 2.2 points, although overseas migration remains the primary growth driver.
What languages are spoken in Seabrook?
Seabrook has an overseas-born share of 40.0%, 18.4 percentage points above the national comparison. Mandarin is reported by 111 residents, Hindi by 91, Arabic by 68 and Punjabi by 38, giving households several language communities to connect with.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), Valuer-General Victoria (house prices), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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