Sefton (NSW)

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Evaluations of ABS population updates for the surrounding region combined with new address validations by Districts since the Census estimate the population of the suburb of Sefton to be approximately 6,193 as of May 2026. This represents a decline of 107 people (1.7%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 6,300 residents. The figures are derived from a resident population of 6,118, calculated by Districts using the ABS demographic release from June 2025 alongside an additional 40 validated new addresses added after the Census date. This population count yields a density of 3,421 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the highest quartile of all national areas monitored by Districts. Recent population increases were mostly driven by overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 63.0% of all population growth during recent times.

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Workforce analysis indicates the suburb of Sefton possesses a skilled labor force across multiple industries, showing a 9.1% unemployment rate and an estimated annual employment growth rate of 2.7%, according to Districts regional aggregations. In March 2026, there were 2,561 working residents, though the local unemployment rate is 4.9% higher than the Greater Sydney benchmark of 4.1%, and labor force participation is notably lower at 57.3% compared to 69.1% across the metropolitan area. Census data indicated that 33.3% of workers performed their duties from home, though this figure likely reflects the influence of pandemic lockdowns.

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Taxpayer statistics from the ATO for financial year 2023, compiled by Districts, show that personal earnings in the suburb of Sefton sit below the national average. Local taxpayers recorded a median income of $42,850 and an average income of $53,314, compared to Greater Sydney averages of $60,817 and $83,003. Adjusting for a 10.32% increase in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 would be approximately $47,272 for the median and $58,816 for the average. According to the 2021 Census, individual incomes sit at the 7th percentile ($555 weekly), though household incomes perform better at the 37th percentile. The weekly household income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 is the most common, accounting for 31.3% of households ( people), which is similar to the wider metropolitan area where of households fall into this category. Housing cost pressures are significant, with households retaining only of their income, which ranks in the th percentile.

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The housing stock in the suburb of Sefton at the last Census consisted of 70.0% detached houses and 30.0% other housing types, including townhouses and apartments, compared to 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings across metropolitan Sydney. Home ownership rates in the suburb of Sefton exceeded the metropolitan average at 33.3%, while the remaining properties were either held with a mortgage (32.0%) or occupied by tenants (34.8%). The median monthly mortgage cost of $2,000 was lower than the Sydney metropolitan average of $2,427, and the median weekly rent was $425 compared to $470 for the wider region. In comparison with national figures, local mortgage repayments exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also higher than the national median of $375.

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Families make up the majority of local households at 77.2%, consisting of couples with children at 44.2%, couples without children at 15.6%, and single parent households at 15.7%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 22.8% of households, with single person households representing 20.0% and shared group households making up 2.7%. The median household size stands at 3.3 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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Attainment levels show some divergence from regional averages, with 22.9% of residents holding a tertiary qualification compared to 39.1% across the SA4 region. Among university degrees, bachelor programs are the most common at 16.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 4.9% and graduate diplomas at 1.2%. Technical training is widely represented, with 26.1% of residents aged 15 and over possessing vocational qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.3% and certificates at 15.8%.

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Analysis of local transit options shows 44 active passenger transport stops in the suburb of Sefton, including both rail and bus facilities. These stops are served by 15 separate routes, which combine to support 2,278 passenger services each week. Access to public transit is highly convenient, with residents living an average of 135 meters from their nearest stop. Given the residential nature of the area, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 83%, followed by trains at 11%. Households own an average of 1.4 vehicles, which is above the metropolitan average. Additionally, 33.3% of working residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

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Public health indicators show positive trends across the suburb of Sefton, according to Districts assessments of mortality and chronic disease rates, with both younger and older demographics showing low rates of common illnesses. Private health insurance coverage is relatively low, held by approximately 48% of the population (~2,976 people), which compares to 59.9% across the Greater Sydney region and a national average of 55.7%.

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The suburb of Sefton exhibits high levels of cultural diversity, with 48.8% of the population born outside of Australia and 72.6% using a language other than English in their homes. The most common religious affiliation is Islam, accounting for 35.7% of local residents, compared to 6.8% across the broader Greater Sydney area.

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The median age of 35 years in the suburb of Sefton is slightly lower than the Greater Sydney median of 37 and the national average of 38. The 15 - 24 age bracket is highly represented at 16.7% of the population compared to the wider metropolitan area, while the 25 - 34 bracket is less common at 12.7%. Since 2021, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 15.8% to 16.7%, whereas the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 15.0% to 14.2%. Long-term population forecasts to 2041 suggest changing age dynamics, with the 75 to 84 cohort projected to increase by 183 people () from to . Combined cohorts aged and over are expected to account for of total population growth, pointing to an aging profile, while the to and to cohorts are expected to contract.

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Sefton currently has an estimated 353 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 229 children aged 0-2 and 154 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 8% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 3% by 2041 (to approximately 342 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 691. Birth rates in the area have averaged 12.7 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a high rate (among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.