Seaford
Its 17,215 residents occupy 12.4 square kilometres at 1,388.6 people per square kilometre; 73.7% of dwellings are separate houses and 53.7% have 3 bedrooms. Compared with national benchmarks, the median age of 40 is aligned, university attainment is 2 percentage points lower and overseas-born share is 0.5 points lower. A 2.37% annual growth trend and gentrification score of 27 suggest continued change, but the crime rate of 148.1 per 1,000 warrants careful street-level checking. Seaford's detached-heavy profile contrasts with the more varied housing contexts of nearby Frankston and Carrum.
Population
17,215
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,500/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
85
Median House
$942K
October to December 2025
That price suits buyers prioritising land and family-sized stock: 73.7% of dwellings are separate houses, 53.7% have 3 bedrooms and 18.3% have 4 or more, while apartments account for 2.5%. The median mortgage payment is $1,850 monthly and mortgage costs equal 28.5% of household income, with no mortgage stress flag recorded. Compared with renting at $351 weekly, purchasing needs a larger upfront commitment, so rate buffers and renovation budgets matter. Seaford's detached profile contrasts with nearby Frankston's more varied housing mix, making exact street and dwelling condition important.
For Buyers
That price suits buyers prioritising land and family-sized stock: 73.7% of dwellings are separate houses, 53.7% have 3 bedrooms and 18.3% have 4 or more, while apartments account for 2.5%. The median mortgage payment is $1,850 monthly and mortgage costs equal 28.5% of household income, with no mortgage stress flag recorded. Compared with renting at $351 weekly, purchasing needs a larger upfront commitment, so rate buffers and renovation budgets matter. Seaford's detached profile contrasts with nearby Frankston's more varied housing mix, making exact street and dwelling condition important.
For Investors
Seaford has a meaningful renter base at 33.5%, with weekly rent of $351 and a 7.7% vacancy rate. The rental case is supported by established demand rather than a single migration story: the forecast names migration as Balanced and the annual growth trend is 2.37%. Investors should also account for supply, as 84 development matters were recorded over 12 months, including a proposal for 9 double-storey dwellings. Vacancy gives tenants more choice than a very tight market, while the 33.5% renting share is higher than the 27.9% owned-outright share. Compared with an owner-occupier-only strategy, Seaford's investor appeal depends on selecting dwellings that fit the dominant 3-bedroom market, which represents 53.7% of homes, and allowing for property-level maintenance and insurance.
Development Activity
Total DAs
136
Last 12 Months
85
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+165.6%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Seaford
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Belvedere Park Primary School
Kananook Primary School
Seaford North Primary School
Seaford Park Primary School
Seaford Primary School
Demographics
Seaford's 17,215 residents have a median age of 40 and average household size of 2.3, reflecting a mix of established families, couples and smaller households. Couples with children make up 39.8% of families, couples without children 36.0%, and one-parent families 21.9%, so housing demand is not limited to one life stage. Compared with national benchmarks, the age is aligned, household size is 0.2 lower, university attainment is 2 percentage points lower and overseas-born share is 0.5 points lower. English ancestry counts 7,040 people, followed by Irish at 2,208 and Scottish at 1,955; no religion is recorded for 8,807 residents versus 6,358 identifying with Christianity. Residential stability is notable: 79.8% stayed at the same address, while turnover was 20.2%.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
73.7%
Houses
23.2%
Townhouse
2.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is split between 27.9% owned outright, 35.9% with a mortgage and 33.5% renting, with rent at $351 weekly. Compared with outright ownership, renting is more common, while the 73.7% separate-house share and 23.2% semi-detached share explain why land and dwelling condition matter. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 53.7%, ahead of 2-bedroom homes at 23.1%, making family-oriented stock the central housing format.
Mortgage / mo
$1,850
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (year ending Sep 2025), Homes Victoria bond data (year-ending median). Census 2021 median: $351.
$560
Bond data year ending Sep 2025 · houses $560 · units $470
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$809
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.7%
Unoccupied
598
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
39.8%
Couples with children
36.0%
Couples, no children
21.9%
Single parent
4,580
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads Seaford's industry base at 18.0% and 1,016 workers, followed by construction at 14.8% and 836, education at 12.9% and 726, manufacturing at 7.5% and 421, and professional or technical work at 7.5% and 421. That mix is reinforced by occupations led by professionals at 1,697, trades at 1,431 and clerical or administrative workers at 1,056, giving the local economy both service and practical skill depth. The labour force is 8,752, participation is 61.7% and unemployment is 5.0%, while 60.5% of employed residents work full time. Compared with the occupational profile, economic resources are softer: IEO sits in decile 6, but IER is decile 4, with IRSD and IRSAD both decile 5. Household income at the 47th percentile helps explain why employment strength does not translate into top-decile resource outcomes.
Unemployment
5.0%
Labour Force
8,752
Unemployed
438
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.5%
Part-time
31.3%
Participation
61.7%
Employed
8,314
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
28.1%
Postgraduate
6.0%
Born Overseas
21.1%
Dwellings
7,186
Transport to Work
Daily travel is car-led: 65.4% drive as the main mode, compared with 2.4% using public transport, 1.7% walking or cycling and 27.2% working from home. That pattern suits households with vehicles but can raise access considerations for people seeking lower-car routines. Families have access to 8 local schools across a practical mix of 5 government primary schools, 1 Catholic primary school, 1 government secondary college and 1 government special school; check enrolment zones against the exact address. Safety needs active assessment because the recorded crime rate is 148.1 per 1,000, led by 1,337 property and deception offences, 516 justice procedures offences and 394 crimes against the person. Compared with a top-decile socioeconomic area, IRSAD at decile 5 is more moderate, while 6.8% of residents need assistance.
Drive
65.4%
Public Transport
2.4%
Walk / Cycle
1.7%
Work from Home
27.2%
Population Forecast
+2.37%/yr
(+366 people/yr)
EstablishedSeaford is an established market with a 2.37% annual growth trend and a forecast migration driver labelled Balanced, suggesting momentum is being spread across more than one source of demand. Population change across the wider area is 44.8% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is Mixed rather than a one-direction profile. Gentrification signals are also split: the forecast gentrification score is 27 at the Early signs stage, but the shift measure records 19 and labels the stage Not gentrifying. That combination fits a suburb where 84 development matters, including a 9-dwelling proposal, can add infill without changing the established identity quickly.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+118
Net Internal / yr
+76
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +54% since 2011, Net internal migration +76/yr
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
2,550
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
148.1
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 Seaford compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Seaford a good suburb to live in?
Seaford suits buyers seeking predominantly detached housing, with 73.7% of dwellings separate houses and 53.7% containing 3 bedrooms. The trade-offs are car dependence, with 65.4% driving, and a crime rate of 148.1 per 1,000, so inspect the exact street before deciding.
What schools are in Seaford?
Seaford has 8 schools: 5 government primary schools, 1 Catholic primary school, 1 government secondary college and 1 government special school. Enrolment zones can vary by address, so families should confirm eligibility and current places before purchasing or leasing.
Is Seaford safe?
Seaford recorded 2,550 total offences and a crime rate of 148.1 per 1,000. Property and deception offences were the largest category at 1,337, followed by 516 justice procedures offences and 394 crimes against the person. Safety should be assessed at street level.
Is Seaford good for property investment?
Seaford has 33.5% renters, weekly rent of $351 and a 7.7% vacancy rate, giving investors an established rental base but also some tenant choice. The 2.37% annual growth trend and 84 development matters support ongoing activity, although property selection remains important.
How is Seaford's population changing?
Seaford has 17,215 residents today. The wider-area forecast records 44.8% population change over 10 years, a 2.37% annual growth trend and Balanced migration. Its shift trajectory is Mixed, while the gentrification score is 27 at the Early signs stage.
What development is happening in Seaford?
There were 84 development matters over 12 months. The examples include a proposal for 9 double-storey dwellings in a General Residential Zone, as well as smaller planning permits. This points to ongoing infill and property changes rather than a single large project.
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.
Explore Seaford on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map