Seaham
Seaham's most distinctive feature is the combination of a 7.3% renting rate and household income at the 88.3rd percentile, pointing to a settled owner-occupier market rather than a high-turnover rental precinct. Its 26.2 people per sq km and 98.8% separate-house share create a low-density profile compared with nearby Raymond Terrace and Medowie. The population is 1,011, median age 41, and average household size 3.1, which is 0.6 above the national figure. That mix suits buyers seeking land and space, although the 24.9% work-from-home share and 72.5% car-driver rate make commuting important.
Local council: Port Stephens
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
12
For homebuyers, Seaham is primarily a detached-house market: 98.8% of dwellings are separate houses, and 68.7% have 4 or more bedrooms. That profile suits families and buyers wanting space more than those seeking apartments or compact first-home stock. The monthly mortgage figure is $2,149, and mortgage costs equal 21.5% of household income, higher than the 15.6% rent-to-income ratio. Household income sits at the 88.3rd percentile, which can support borrowing capacity, but deposit size, rates and property condition still matter. Compared with nearby Raymond Terrace, Seaham's low-density format is less convenient for buyers prioritising services within walking distance.
For Buyers
For homebuyers, Seaham is primarily a detached-house market: 98.8% of dwellings are separate houses, and 68.7% have 4 or more bedrooms. That profile suits families and buyers wanting space more than those seeking apartments or compact first-home stock. The monthly mortgage figure is $2,149, and mortgage costs equal 21.5% of household income, higher than the 15.6% rent-to-income ratio. Household income sits at the 88.3rd percentile, which can support borrowing capacity, but deposit size, rates and property condition still matter. Compared with nearby Raymond Terrace, Seaham's low-density format is less convenient for buyers prioritising services within walking distance.
For Investors
Investor conditions lean toward low vacancy but limited rental depth. Weekly rent is $360 and vacancy is 2.1%, while only 7.3% of households rent, far below the 50.8% paying a mortgage and 41.1% owning outright. That tenure mix can support stable demand from local households, yet it also means a landlord may face a smaller tenant pool than in a rental-oriented suburb. Nine development applications in 12 months indicate ongoing property activity, with recent examples including dwelling and swimming-pool works rather than a large apartment pipeline. Annual growth is 0.71% across the wider area and migration is Balanced, favouring a measured strategy over a rapid-growth bet.
Development Activity
Total DAs
86
Last 12 Months
12
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+9.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Seaham
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Seaham has a settled, mostly Anglo-identified demographic profile. English ancestry is recorded for 468 people, followed by Scottish 128 and Irish 117. Overseas-born residents are 6.0%, 15.6 percentage points below national, while median age is 41, 1.0 year above national. Average household size is 3.1, or 0.6 above national, consistent with 52.4% of families being couples with children. University attainment is 22.8%, 7.3 points below national, alongside strong trades and commuting links. Christianity accounts for 570 people and no religion 391. Compared with nearby Raymond Terrace and Medowie, Seaham's 1,011 residents and 26.2 people per sq km indicate a smaller, lower-density setting.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.8%
Houses
0.0%
Townhouse
1.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Seaham's housing stock is unusually consistent: 98.8% of dwellings are separate houses and just 1.2% are apartments. Larger homes dominate, with 68.7% containing 4 or more bedrooms, compared with 24.8% containing 3 bedrooms and 3.7% containing 2 bedrooms. Tenure is owner-led: 41.1% own outright and 50.8% hold a mortgage, while renting is only 7.3%. Mortgage costs absorb 21.5% of household income versus 15.6% for rent, so the owner market carries the larger regular housing commitment. Compared with nearby Raymond Terrace, the 38.64 sq km suburb presents a more spacious detached-house pattern, although larger properties can bring higher upkeep and travel costs.
Mortgage / mo
$2,149
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $360.
$600
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $600 · units $525
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
52.4%
Couples with children
37.2%
Couples, no children
8.4%
Single parent
296
Total families
Economy & Employment
Seaham's economy combines Healthcare at 16.7% of jobs, or 60 workers, Construction at 14.5%, or 52, Education at 11.4%, or 41, Professional/Tech at 8.4%, or 30, and Manufacturing at 7.5%, or 27. The occupation mix reinforces that spread: Trades account for 95 people, Professionals 93 and Clerical/Admin 69, followed by Community/Personal 66 and Machinery/Drivers 62. Participation is 69.1%, unemployment 3.7% and full-time employment 59.6%, supporting a substantial working base. Household income is at the 88.3rd percentile, above the national midpoint. SEIFA is mixed: IEO decile 5 is mid-ranked, while IER decile 10, IRSD decile 8 and IRSAD decile 7 are higher, consistent with stronger economic resources than education and occupation rankings alone suggest.
Unemployment
3.7%
Labour Force
563
Unemployed
21
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.6%
Part-time
31.4%
Participation
69.1%
Employed
542
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
22.8%
Postgraduate
4.0%
Born Overseas
6.0%
Dwellings
326
Transport to Work
Low density shapes daily life in Seaham. At 26.2 people per sq km across 38.64 sq km, residents are more car-dependent than pedestrian-oriented: 72.5% travel as car drivers, 1.4% walk or cycle, and 24.9% work from home. That suits households with vehicles and flexible work, but makes road access important for shopping, health care and secondary schooling. Seaham Public School provides 1 local government primary option; families should confirm enrolment zones and travel times for education beyond primary. Socioeconomic conditions are comparatively strong, with IRSAD decile 7 and IRSD decile 8, both above the midpoint, while IEO decile 5 is closer to the middle. Use current NSW Police crime mapping for safety comparisons.
Drive
72.5%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
1.4%
Work from Home
24.9%
Growth Outlook
Seaham sits in an established, gradual-growth setting. The wider-area trend is 0.71% annually, with migration classified as Balanced, so expansion is more measured than a high-growth corridor. The demographic trajectory is Aging: the senior share has risen 5.8 percentage points while the young share has fallen 3.0 points, and population change across the wider area is 7.4% over 10 years. Affordability is worsening, moving from 39.2% in 2011 to 43.4% in 2021, while rents grew 52.0%. Gentrification signals are mixed: the shift trajectory assigns gentrification score 51 and stage Active, while the current gentrification forecast is score 0 and stage Not gentrifying. That points to established-household demand rather than rapid turnover.
Population trend: Port Stephens council area
Seaham sits in the Port Stephens council area. These are the council area's residents, not Seaham's.
Residents 2025
80,070
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.5%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.3%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
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 can suit households wanting space, privacy and a settled owner-occupier setting. About 98.8% of dwellings are separate houses, 68.7% have 4 or more bedrooms and 72.5% of commuters drive, so a vehicle is important. The trade-off is fewer rental and apartment options than denser nearby centres.
What is the median house price in Seaham?
Rather than rely on an old headline figure, check current settled sales for postcode 2324 and compare like-for-like houses. Seaham is 98.8% separate houses and 68.7% have 4 or more bedrooms, so the median can be sensitive to the number of sales and the mix of land, dwelling size and condition in any period.
What schools are in Seaham?
Seaham has 1 local government primary school, Seaham Public School. Families should check the exact enrolment zone and plan travel for secondary education, because school access can change across rural boundaries even when an address carries a Seaham postcode.
Is Seaham safe?
Use current NSW Police crime mapping and compare incidents per 1,000 residents before making a safety judgement. Seaham's population is 1,011, so small changes in incident counts can move a rate noticeably; also inspect lighting, road conditions and activity around the specific property rather than relying only on a suburb-wide impression.
Is Seaham good for property investment?
Seaham may suit a long-term investor seeking detached housing, but the tenant pool is relatively small. Weekly rent is $360, vacancy is 2.1% and only 7.3% of households rent, while 9 development applications were recorded in 12 months. Balanced migration and 0.71% annual growth across the wider area favour a measured strategy.
How is Seaham's population changing?
Seaham has 1,011 residents today and is on an Aging trajectory. Population change across the wider area is 7.4% over 10 years, with an annual trend of 0.71% and Balanced migration. The senior share has increased 5.8 points while the young share has fallen 3.0 points, suggesting steadier demand among established households.
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 education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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