The population of Stekene is 18,445, living across 45.3 km². Residents have an average age of about 42, and 74% own their homes; average net income per person is €19,734 a year. The population comprises 95.2% Belgian, 2.4% Dutch, 0.6% Polish, 0.2% Romanian, 0.1% Iraqi, 0.1% French, 0.1% Spanish and 1.2% other nationalities. The housing stock is 14% apartment buildings and 86% houses. Dwellings average 5.6 rooms, and the average building dates to around 1966. Across all building types, 12.4% are buildings and apartment blocks, 39.7% detached houses, farms and castles, 25.3% semi-detached houses, 11.4% terraced houses, 9.1% other types and 2.1% commercial houses.
There is 1 flat for rent in Stekene, listed at €1,000 per month; both the highest and lowest stated monthly rents are €1,000. The sale market has 8 flats, with an average asking price of €399,500 and prices from €293,000 to €435,000. Local road routes include the N290 and N403. From the centre, it is about 4 minutes by car to the A11/E34 towards Antwerpen and Zelzate, and around 17 minutes to the A14/E17 towards Antwerpen, Sint-Niklaas, Gent, Kortrijk and Lille.
Bus transport is served by 7 lines stopping in the municipality. The listed De Lijn services include line 43 between Sint-Niklaas, Stekene Hellestraat and Hulst, plus line 85 via Antwerpen LO, Beveren, Vrasene, SGW, Stekene and Moerbeke. Lines 240, 41 and 44 are also listed. The closest stations to the centre are Belsele, Sinaai, Sint-Niklaas, Nieuwkerken-Waas and Lokeren. Stekene has 11 nurseries, 9 nursery schools, 10 primary schools and 4 secondary schools. Named examples are De Kemelkes² and Pimpampoentje, Go! Basisschool De Molenberg, Vrije Basisschool De Zonnebloem, Vrije Basisschool - Tuimelaar, and Broederscholen Hiëronymus 3 and 5.
Daily shopping options include 3 Delhaize stores, 1 OKay, 1 Match / Smatch and 1 Aldi. Shared bicycles and shared cars are not listed for Stekene, and there is no known charging station in the municipality. Antwerp International Airport at Deurne is about 27 minutes away by car; the public-transport journey is about 95 minutes. The local rental listing is a flat at €1,000 per month, alongside a housing stock in which houses make up the larger share of dwellings.