Sefton
Almost half of Sefton's residents, 48.8%, were born overseas, which is 27.2 points above the national figure, yet the suburb sits in the bottom advantage tiers on most SEIFA indexes: decile 1 on IRSD and decile 2 on both IRSAD and economic resources. That combination of high migration and low relative advantage shapes the whole profile. The median house price reached $1,252,500 while household income sits only in the 48th percentile nationally, so affordability is stretched and mortgage-to-income runs at 30.2%, just above the stress line. Housing is detached-dominant at 70% separate houses, and the median age of 35 is 5 years below national, marking a younger, family-oriented migrant catchment in southwestern Sydney.
Population
6,300
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,528/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
50
Median House
$1.3M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
Sefton's median house price of $1,252,500 is high relative to local incomes, which sit in just the 48th percentile nationally, and that gap is the main pressure for buyers. Recorded sales moved from $1,150,000 in 2024 to $1,370,000 in 2025, a 19.1% one-year jump that has outpaced wage growth. The stock favours houses: 70% are separate dwellings against only 15.7% apartments and 14% semi-detached, so buyers chasing a family home compete for the dominant supply rather than a scarce one. Larger homes are common, with 40.4% three-bedroom and 33.9% four-plus bedroom. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 30.2%, above the 30% stress threshold, which means a typical purchase stretches the median household budget here more than the rent path does.
For Buyers
Sefton's median house price of $1,252,500 is high relative to local incomes, which sit in just the 48th percentile nationally, and that gap is the main pressure for buyers. Recorded sales moved from $1,150,000 in 2024 to $1,370,000 in 2025, a 19.1% one-year jump that has outpaced wage growth. The stock favours houses: 70% are separate dwellings against only 15.7% apartments and 14% semi-detached, so buyers chasing a family home compete for the dominant supply rather than a scarce one. Larger homes are common, with 40.4% three-bedroom and 33.9% four-plus bedroom. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 30.2%, above the 30% stress threshold, which means a typical purchase stretches the median household budget here more than the rent path does.
For Investors
Renters make up 35% of Sefton households, a solid tenant base, and weekly rent of $425 against the $1,252,500 median implies a gross yield near 1.8%, low but better than premium inner-Sydney suburbs. The reported vacancy rate of 7.3% is elevated and signals softer letting conditions than a tight market, so rent-setting power is limited. Demand support comes from migration: net overseas inflow runs about 285 a year and is the primary growth driver, while internal migration removes around 243 annually, leaving thin natural increase. Development activity is healthy with 47 applications lodged in the past 12 months, including dual occupancy and secondary dwelling proposals that point to incremental densification of the detached stock. With rent-to-income already at 27.8%, further rent escalation is constrained by what local incomes can absorb.
Development Activity
Total DAs
234
Last 12 Months
50
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-3.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Sefton iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Primary School
K-6 · 337 students
Sefton High School
7-12 · 1121 students
Sefton Infants School
P-2 · 93 students
Demographics
Sefton skews young and migrant. The median age of 35 is 5 years below the national figure, and overseas-born residents reach 48.8%, which is 27.2 points above national, among the higher shares in Sydney's southwest. Ancestry is led by Lebanese (1,081), Vietnamese (1,079) and Chinese (915) residents, and the most spoken non-English languages are Arabic (668), Cantonese (171) and Mandarin (138). Islam is the largest religion at 2,046 residents, ahead of Christianity at 1,790 and Buddhism at 808, an unusual ordering that reflects the Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian migration history. University qualifications sit at 35.1%, which is 5 points above national, and the average household size of 3.3 is 0.8 above national, consistent with larger family households raising children locally.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
70.0%
Houses
14.0%
Townhouse
15.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits fairly evenly: 33% own outright, 32% carry a mortgage and 35% rent, a balanced mix without the debt-free dominance seen in older established suburbs. The stock is firmly detached, with 70% separate houses against 15.7% apartments and 14% semi-detached, which keeps the market family-oriented. Bedroom counts confirm this, with 40.4% three-bedroom and 33.9% four-plus, while one-bedroom dwellings are just 5.9%. The median house price climbed from $1,150,000 in 2024 to $1,370,000 in 2025, a 19.1% move in a single year. Against household income in the 48th percentile, the mortgage-to-income ratio of 30.2% sits above the 30% stress threshold while rent-to-income holds at 27.8%, a divergence showing that buying strains budgets more than renting does in this market.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wk
$425
HH Size
3.3
Personal Income / wk
$555
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.3%
Unoccupied
140
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
30.2% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
13.0%
Couples, no children
5,197
Total families
Economy & Employment
Sefton's workforce concentrates in service sectors: Healthcare leads at 17.3% (205 workers), followed by Education at 10.5% (125), Transport at 9.2% (109), Professional/Tech at 9.1% (108) and Retail at 7.5% (89). By occupation, Professionals (469) and Clerical or administrative roles (284) are the largest groups, ahead of machinery operators and drivers (227). Unemployment is elevated at 8.1%, above the national rate, and the full-time employment rate is 61.3%. The SEIFA pattern explains the strain: IRSD sits at decile 1 and IRSAD at decile 2, the lowest advantage tiers, yet the IEO education-and-occupation score reaches decile 4, higher than the others because of the 35.1% university share. Real incomes still grew 8.6% over the decade, so conditions are improving from a low base.
Unemployment
11.1%
Labour Force
9,154
Unemployed
1,013
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.3%
Part-time
30.6%
Participation
36.3%
Employed
1,659
Occupations
Top Industries
University
35.1%
Postgraduate
7.9%
Born Overseas
48.8%
Dwellings
1,779
Transport to Work
Sefton is heavily car-dependent, with 82.9% of commuters driving and only 7.9% using public transport, below the share seen in better-served Sydney suburbs, while just 2.7% walk or cycle. Detailed crime statistics are not available for Sefton in this dataset, so the SEIFA indexes are the available proxy, and the decile 1 IRSD score signals a higher concentration of relative disadvantage than most areas. Volunteering is low at 7.3% and 7% of residents, about 405 people, need daily assistance. No schools are recorded inside the 1.81 km2 boundary in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring suburbs, a practical consideration given the average household size of 3.3 and the share of larger four-bedroom homes at 33.9%.
Drive
82.9%
Public Transport
7.9%
Walk / Cycle
2.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.35%/yr
(+294 people/yr)
EstablishedSefton's broader catchment is growing steadily, with annual population growth of about 1.35% and a 25.2% rise over the past decade, classifying it as an established suburb on a stable trajectory rather than a fast-growth frontier. Medium forecasts lift the area population from roughly 22,249 in 2026 toward 23,719 by 2031. The engine is overseas migration, adding about 285 residents a year, which more than offsets a net internal outflow near 243 annually. Gentrification reads as early signs at a score of 39, supported by 42.9% rent growth and real income growth of 8.6%, though affordability worsened from 72.4% in 2011 to 77.4% in 2021. The young-resident share edged up 0.9 points while seniors fell 0.5, reinforcing the family-formation pattern driving demand.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+285
Net Internal / yr
-243
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +26% since 2011, Net internal outflow -243/yr, Strong overseas inflow +285/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Sefton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sefton a good suburb to live in?
Sefton suits families seeking detached housing, with 70% separate houses and an average household size of 3.3, which is 0.8 above national. The trade-offs are clear: it sits in decile 1 on the IRSD disadvantage index and unemployment runs at 8.1%, above national, while the median house price of $1,252,500 stretches local incomes in the 48th percentile.
What is the median house price in Sefton?
The median house price is $1,252,500. Recorded sales rose 19.1% from $1,150,000 in 2024 to $1,370,000 in 2025. Weekly rent averages $425 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $2,000, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 30.2%, just above the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Sefton?
No schools are recorded inside the 1.81 km2 Sefton boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The local population is moderately educated, with university qualifications at 35.1%, which is 5 points above the national figure.
Is Sefton safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Sefton in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 1 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, the lowest tier, and 7% of its residents, about 405 people, need daily assistance, both pointing to a higher-disadvantage profile than most areas.
Is Sefton good for property investment?
Rent of $425 a week against a $1,252,500 median gives a gross yield near 1.8%, and the 7.3% vacancy rate signals softer letting conditions. Net overseas migration of about 285 a year supports demand, and 47 development applications were lodged in 12 months, but the 35% renter base must absorb any rent rises.
How is Sefton's population changing?
The catchment is growing about 1.35% annually and rose 25.2% over the past decade. Overseas migration adds roughly 285 residents a year and is the primary driver, offsetting a net internal outflow near 243. The young-resident share rose 0.9 points while seniors fell 0.5, reinforcing a family-formation trend.
What languages are spoken in Sefton?
About 48.8% of residents were born overseas, 27.2 points above the national figure. The most common non-English languages are Arabic (668 speakers), Cantonese (171), Mandarin (138) and Urdu (80), reflecting strong Lebanese, Vietnamese and Chinese ancestry in the community.
How much development is happening in Sefton?
There were 47 development applications lodged in the past 12 months across the 1.81 km2 suburb. Many involve dual occupancy, subdivision and secondary dwelling proposals rather than large new supply, consistent with incremental densification of a detached-house market growing at about 1.35% a 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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