Leichhardt
Leichhardt stands out for urban intensity: 15,158 residents live across 2.6 sq km, producing a density of 5,840.8 people per sq km. The median age is 37, which is 3.0 years below the national figure, while 59.5% hold a university qualification, 29.4 percentage points above national. Household income sits at the 94.6th percentile, helping explain demand for compact housing and local services. Compared with nearby Annandale and Petersham, Leichhardt reads as the more intensely urban setting because apartments and semi-detached homes make up much of its stock.
Population
15,158
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,673/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
186
Homebuyers are choosing between 36.6% separate houses, 33.7% semi-detached dwellings and 29.1% apartments, with 2-bedroom homes the largest bedroom group at 39.8%, followed by 3-bedroom homes at 35.4%. Monthly mortgage commitments are $3,400, equal to 29.4% of household income, while weekly rent is $600. Compared with a detached-house market, this mix gives buyers more compact options, but the high density makes parking, outdoor space and strata costs important checks because land is shared more often.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are choosing between 36.6% separate houses, 33.7% semi-detached dwellings and 29.1% apartments, with 2-bedroom homes the largest bedroom group at 39.8%, followed by 3-bedroom homes at 35.4%. Monthly mortgage commitments are $3,400, equal to 29.4% of household income, while weekly rent is $600. Compared with a detached-house market, this mix gives buyers more compact options, but the high density makes parking, outdoor space and strata costs important checks because land is shared more often.
For Investors
Leichhardt has 40.7% of households renting, a weekly rent of $600 and a 9.6% vacancy rate, so leasing conditions should be tested against the exact property rather than assumed from demand alone. Development activity reached 190 events in 12 months, which can increase competition between older and newer stock. Forecast growth is 1.51% annually with Balanced migration. Compared with a lower-turnover suburb, the 29.3% turnover rate and 70.7% stayed rate point to both tenant mobility and a durable local base.
Development Activity
Total DAs
972
Last 12 Months
186
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+20.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Leichhardt
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Leichhardt's median age of 37 is 3.0 years below the national figure, while 59.5% of residents have a university qualification, 29.4 percentage points above national. Overseas-born residents account for 29.8%, or 8.2 points above the national share, and average household size is 2.4, only 0.1 below national. English, Irish, Scottish and Italian ancestry are prominent, while Italian is the leading listed non-English language at 299 speakers. No religion is recorded for 7,660 people versus 5,897 identifying with Christianity. Compared with the national profile, the suburb is more highly educated and professionally oriented because its compact inner-city setting attracts smaller, knowledge-based households.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
36.6%
Houses
33.7%
Townhouse
29.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Leichhardt's housing is more attached and compact than a traditional detached-house market: 36.6% of dwellings are separate houses, 33.7% are semi-detached and 29.1% are apartments. Two-bedroom homes account for 39.8% and three-bedroom homes for 35.4%, reflecting a stock suited to couples, smaller families and sharers. Tenure is split between 24.0% owned outright, 34.4% with a mortgage and 40.7% rented. Compared with a lower-density suburban market, this structure supports walkable daily life but makes strata fees, renovation limits and shared access more important because 62.8% of homes are attached or apartment-based. Mortgage commitments are $3,400 monthly, while rent is $600 weekly.
Mortgage / mo
$3,400
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $600.
$900
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $1,110 · units $680
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$1,377
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.6%
Unoccupied
631
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
45.4%
Couples with children
38.4%
Couples, no children
14.5%
Single parent
4,067
Total families
Economy & Employment
Leichhardt has a highly qualified labour profile, with Professional and Tech industries employing 1,314 people, Healthcare 957, Education 836, Finance 634 and Public Administration 487. The largest occupations are Professionals at 3,592 and Managers at 1,818, followed by Clerical and Admin at 926. Labour force participation is 72.0%, unemployment is 3.7% and full-time employment is 66.7%, supporting household income at the 94.6th percentile. Compared with the national profile, educational and economic advantage is pronounced. SEIFA places IEO in decile 10, IRSAD in decile 10 and IRSD in decile 9, while IER is lower at decile 7, indicating that household resources are not uniform despite strong overall advantage.
Unemployment
3.7%
Labour Force
8,840
Unemployed
329
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.7%
Part-time
24.5%
Participation
72.0%
Employed
8,511
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
59.5%
Postgraduate
19.0%
Born Overseas
29.8%
Dwellings
5,953
Transport to Work
Daily life is supported by four nearby government schools, comprising three primary schools and one secondary campus, giving families access to both school stages while enrolment zones still need to be checked against the exact address. Work-from-home participation is 64.8%, compared with 24.2% driving and 3.8% using public transport for the relevant journey measure, so home layouts and local services matter. Walking or cycling accounts for 5.3%. Leichhardt's IRSAD and IEO scores both sit in decile 10, above the national midpoint, and volunteering is 15.6%. The combination of high density at 5,840.8 people per sq km and strong socioeconomic advantage supports active local amenity, but street-level noise, parking and school access should be assessed in person.
Drive
24.2%
Public Transport
3.8%
Walk / Cycle
5.3%
Work from Home
64.8%
Population Forecast
+1.51%/yr
(+135 people/yr)
EstablishedLeichhardt is classified as an established area, with forecast growth of 1.51% annually and Balanced as the primary migration driver. Population change across the wider area is 23.1% over ten years, while the shift trajectory is Mixed rather than a single-direction expansion story. The main gentrification measure is score 10, labelled Not gentrifying, although a separate shift signal records score 20 and Early signs. Compared with a high-growth fringe market, this points to steadier change because established housing, balanced migration and inner-city demand shape growth more than large-scale population replacement. Rent growth is 16.0%, adding pressure even as affordability is labelled Improving.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+48
Net Internal / yr
+6
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +29% since 2011
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Leichhardt compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Leichhardt a good suburb to live in?
Leichhardt suits buyers and renters seeking a dense inner-city setting, with 15,158 residents across 2.6 sq km, 4 local government schools and a median age of 37. Its 59.5% university-qualified share and 64.8% work-from-home rate support local daily amenity, while the right choice depends on tolerance for compact housing and a 9.6% vacancy market.
What is the median house price in Leichhardt?
Check recent sales data for the current median house price because sale values can move faster than tenure statistics. Leichhardt's weekly rent is $600, monthly mortgage commitments are $3,400, and 36.6% of dwellings are separate houses versus 29.1% apartments. These figures frame the market but do not replace a current sales-based median.
What schools are in Leichhardt?
Leichhardt has 4 government schools: 3 primary schools and 1 secondary campus. The local mix includes Kegworth Public School, Leichhardt Public School, Orange Grove Public School and Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus. Compared with suburbs without both school stages, this gives families more local options, but enrolment zones should be checked for the exact address.
Is Leichhardt safe?
Check current NSW Police incident data for the exact street and inspect lighting, foot traffic and noise at different times. Leichhardt contains 15,158 residents across 2.6 sq km, so conditions can vary within a dense area. A suburb-wide safety judgement should not be inferred from population density alone, and prospective residents should compare recent incidents before signing a lease or contract.
Is Leichhardt good for property investment?
Leichhardt has a substantial rental base, with 40.7% renting, weekly rent of $600 and a 9.6% vacancy rate. Development activity reached 190 events in 12 months, while forecast growth is 1.51% annually and migration is Balanced. Compared with a lower-turnover market, the 29.3% turnover rate and 70.7% stayed rate suggest both tenant movement and an established resident base.
How is Leichhardt's population changing?
The wider area's forecast annual growth rate is 1.51%, with Balanced migration and a Mixed trajectory. Population change across ten years is 23.1%, while the main gentrification label is Not gentrifying with a score of 10. A separate shift signal is labelled Early signs with a score of 20, suggesting gradual change rather than a clear or rapid transformation.
What development is happening in Leichhardt?
There were 190 development events in the latest 12-month period. Examples include commercial development, office premises and alterations or additions involving existing residential buildings. Compared with a quieter established suburb, this level of activity may create more construction disruption and more competition between renovated, older and newer stock, so buyers should review the immediate property's planning context.
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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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