Seaham
Household income in the 88.3rd percentile nationally tells only part of the Seaham story. This rural fringe suburb in the Hunter region spans 38.64 km2 and holds just 1,011 residents, yet commands a $1,206,000 median house price that exceeds many Sydney middle-ring suburbs. The identity is strongly owner-occupier: 41.5% own outright and 51.2% carry a mortgage, while only 7.3% rent, among the lowest renter rates in NSW. The stock is 98.8% separate houses on large blocks, which explains the premium. Population growth tracks at 0.71% annually, steady rather than rapid.
Population
1,011
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,312/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
10
Median House
$1.2M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The $1,206,000 median house price positions Seaham above the NSW median, underpinned by near-total dominance of detached houses at 98.8% of dwellings. Four-plus bedroom homes account for 68.7% of stock, the highest share that buyers in this market target. Prices peaked at $1,316,500 in 2024 and eased to $1,182,000 in 2025, a 10.2% correction from peak, which gives buyers more room than 12 months ago. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,149, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.5%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the premium price, because household incomes sit at the 88.3rd percentile nationally. Low housing stress compared to many NSW markets is a structural advantage for long-term affordability.
For Buyers
The $1,206,000 median house price positions Seaham above the NSW median, underpinned by near-total dominance of detached houses at 98.8% of dwellings. Four-plus bedroom homes account for 68.7% of stock, the highest share that buyers in this market target. Prices peaked at $1,316,500 in 2024 and eased to $1,182,000 in 2025, a 10.2% correction from peak, which gives buyers more room than 12 months ago. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,149, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.5%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the premium price, because household incomes sit at the 88.3rd percentile nationally. Low housing stress compared to many NSW markets is a structural advantage for long-term affordability.
For Investors
Seaham's 7.3% renter share is very low compared to state averages, which limits the tenant pool available to landlords. Weekly rent of $360 against a $1,206,000 median implies a gross yield near 1.6%, below typical investment thresholds. The 2.1% vacancy rate is modest but expected given how few properties are rented. Only 10 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, indicating constrained supply growth. Net internal migration averages 21 residents per year and overseas migration adds 8, a balanced driver mix that supports modest price stability rather than demand surges. The investment case rests on land-size scarcity and lifestyle demand from buyers relocating from Newcastle, not yield.
Development Activity
Total DAs
82
Last 12 Months
10
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-28.6%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Seaham iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Seaham Public School
K-6 · 156 students
Demographics
The median age of 41 is 1.0 year above the national figure, and the trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 5.8 points while the young adult share fell 3.0 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents stand at 6.0%, which is 15.6 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting a predominantly locally-born population. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (468), Scottish (128) and Irish (117) lead, consistent with the historical settlement of the Hunter Valley. Average household size of 3.1 is 0.6 above national, driven by the high proportion of couples with children (367 families) and large 4-plus bedroom homes. University qualifications reach 22.8%, which is 7.3 percentage points below the national average, consistent with a region where trades and skilled vocational work are central to the economy.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.8%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
1.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Seaham's tenure structure is strongly ownership-oriented: 41.5% own outright and 51.2% hold a mortgage, together accounting for 92.7% of households, versus just 7.3% renting, well below state and national norms. The stock is almost entirely separate houses (98.8%), with virtually no apartments (1.2%) and negligible semi-detached. Four-plus bedroom homes dominate at 68.7%, reflecting the large rural and semi-rural block sizes across 38.64 km2. The price-to-income relationship is stretched but manageable: at $1,206,000 median and a monthly mortgage of $2,149, the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.5% stays below stress levels. Prices pulled back 10.2% from the 2024 peak of $1,316,500 to $1,182,000 in 2025, creating a more measured entry point than the prior year.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,149
Rent / wk
$360
HH Size
3.1
Personal Income / wk
$839
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
2.1%
Unoccupied
7
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
15.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.5%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
24.9%
Couples, no children
922
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads local employment at 16.7% of workers, followed by Construction at 14.5% and Education at 11.4%, with Professional/Technical services at 8.4% and Manufacturing at 7.5%. By occupation, Professionals (93) and Clerical/Admin workers (69) top the list, though Machinery/Drivers (62) and Managers (55) reflect the mixed rural and trade character of the area. The unemployment rate of 4.1% sits close to the national average, and the full-time employment rate of 65.5% is healthy. SEIFA tells an interesting story: the IER (economic resources) decile is 10, the top tier nationally, meaning households hold strong physical assets, consistent with large landholdings. The IRSAD decile of 7 places overall advantage above average but not elite, and the IRSD decile of 8 signals low relative disadvantage.
Unemployment
1.6%
Labour Force
3,203
Unemployed
51
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.5%
Part-time
30.4%
Participation
63.1%
Employed
493
Occupations
Top Industries
University
22.8%
Postgraduate
4.0%
Born Overseas
6.0%
Dwellings
326
Transport to Work
Car dependency is extreme at 96.6%, which is above the national average and expected given the suburb's 38.64 km2 spread and rural fringe location between Raymond Terrace and Maitland. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families depend on nearby towns. The IRSAD decile of 7 indicates above-average socioeconomic advantage nationally. The IRSD decile of 8 confirms low relative disadvantage. Volunteering runs at 17.8%, above average for rural NSW, pointing to an engaged local community. Only 4.5% of residents (45 people) need daily assistance, low relative to the aging median age of 41. Rent-to-income at 15.6% is comfortable for tenants, well below the 30% stress threshold.
Drive
96.6%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
1.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.71%/yr
(+42 people/yr)
EstablishedSeaham is growing at 0.71% annually, adding roughly 42 residents per year, steady but not rapid when compared to high-growth Hunter suburbs. The 10-year population change of 7.4% reflects consistent organic demand rather than a development boom. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 population rising from 5,899 in 2025 to 6,145 by 2031. Migration is balanced, with net internal arrivals averaging 21 per year and overseas migration adding 8. The shift data flags an aging trajectory, with the senior share up 5.8 points, and affordability worsening from 39.2% in 2011 to 43.4% in 2021, meaning housing costs are absorbing a larger share of income over time. Rent grew 52.0% over the period, significantly outpacing real income growth of 11.8%, which compresses affordability for new entrants.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+8
Net Internal / yr
+21
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Seaham compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Seaham a good suburb to live in?
Seaham suits owner-occupier families seeking large detached homes in a rural setting. Household income sits in the 88.3rd percentile nationally and the IRSD decile is 8, indicating low relative disadvantage. The trade-off is heavy car dependency at 96.6% and no schools within the suburb boundary, requiring travel to nearby centres.
What is the median house price in Seaham?
The median house price is $1,206,000, derived from 2024-2025 data. Prices peaked at $1,316,500 in 2024 before easing 10.2% to $1,182,000 in 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,149, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.5%, below the stress threshold.
What schools are in Seaham?
No schools are recorded within the Seaham suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in nearby Raymond Terrace, Maitland and other Hunter Valley centres. The suburb's 22.8% university qualification rate is 7.3 percentage points below the national average.
Is Seaham safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Seaham in this dataset. As an indirect measure, the suburb scores decile 8 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, placing it among the lower-disadvantage areas in NSW. Only 4.5% of residents (45 people) require daily assistance, consistent with a low-disadvantage community.
Is Seaham good for property investment?
The investment picture is mixed. The 7.3% renter share is low compared to state averages, limiting the tenant pool, and a weekly rent of $360 against a $1,206,000 median implies a thin gross yield near 1.6%. Only 10 DAs were lodged in 12 months. Capital growth potential ties to lifestyle demand from Newcastle and Hunter Valley buyers rather than rental income.
How is Seaham's population changing?
Population is growing at 0.71% per year, adding about 42 residents annually. The 10-year growth rate was 7.4%. Medium forecasts project the broader area reaching 6,145 by 2031. The profile is aging, with the senior share up 5.8 points over the decade, and net internal migration averages 21 arrivals per year.
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), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), 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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