Leichhardt
All four SEIFA indexes rank Leichhardt in decile 1, the most disadvantaged tier nationally, which shapes almost every other number in its profile. Household income sits at the 17.9th percentile and unemployment runs at 15.9%, more than three times the national average. Yet the suburb is growing, adding an estimated 121 residents a year at 0.66% annually, driven by overseas arrivals of 224 per year that more than offset an internal outflow of 178. At a median age of 31, the population is 9 years younger than the national figure, and renting accounts for 65.2% of households, far above the national share.
Population
4,471
Median Age
31.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,109/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$345K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $345,000 sits well below the national median, which reflects the suburb's position at the 17.9th percentile for household income. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,200, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.0% stays below the 30% stress threshold, meaning ownership is arithmetically achievable for working households. The dwelling stock is almost entirely separate houses at 91.3%, with semi-detached at 8.1% and apartments at just 0.6%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 60.2% of all dwellings, and 4-plus bedroom properties account for a further 29.3%, giving buyers a family-sized supply. Only 13.7% of owners hold their property outright, compared with the national baseline, pointing to a younger mortgage-holding cohort rather than established equity wealth.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $345,000 sits well below the national median, which reflects the suburb's position at the 17.9th percentile for household income. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,200, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.0% stays below the 30% stress threshold, meaning ownership is arithmetically achievable for working households. The dwelling stock is almost entirely separate houses at 91.3%, with semi-detached at 8.1% and apartments at just 0.6%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 60.2% of all dwellings, and 4-plus bedroom properties account for a further 29.3%, giving buyers a family-sized supply. Only 13.7% of owners hold their property outright, compared with the national baseline, pointing to a younger mortgage-holding cohort rather than established equity wealth.
For Investors
A 65.2% renter share, higher than most comparable Queensland suburbs, translates to consistent tenant demand, and weekly rent of $280 against the $345,000 median implies a gross yield near 4.2%, materially above inner-city benchmarks. The vacancy rate of 7.5% is elevated and warrants attention, suggesting some softness in the rental market that landlords should price in. Population grew 11.2% over the decade and the medium forecast adds another 600 residents by 2031, underpinning long-run demand. Overseas migration of 224 arrivals per year is the primary growth driver, replacing the net internal outflow of 178. Rent grew 30.4% over the period, outpacing the national average, which supports the case for rental income growth continuing.
Schools in Leichhardt iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Immaculate Heart School
Prep-6 · 248 students
Leichhardt State School
Prep-6 · 304 students
Demographics
The median age of 31 is 9 years below the national figure, one of the more striking gaps found in suburban Queensland. Overseas-born residents account for 12.6% of the population, which is 9.0 percentage points below the national share, and ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic: English (1,786 residents), Irish (473) and Scottish (401) lead the count. University qualifications reach just 12.5%, which is 17.6 points below the national rate, consistent with the occupational and income profile. Average household size is 2.5, matching the national figure exactly. Couples with children make up 1,037 families, and 19.8% are couples without children. The turnover rate of 27.6% is moderate, meaning 72.4% of residents stayed in place over the previous five years.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
91.3%
Houses
8.1%
Townhouse
0.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure heavily favours renting: 65.2% of households rent, compared with the national average, while only 21.1% hold a mortgage and 13.7% own outright. That renter majority, combined with SEIFA decile 1 scores across all four indexes, reflects constrained purchasing capacity rather than lifestyle choice. Separate houses account for 91.3% of dwellings, a typical Queensland suburban stock profile. Three-bedroom homes at 60.2% and 4-plus bedrooms at 29.3% together cover nearly 90% of the stock. The estimated median price of $345,000 and weekly rent of $280 put housing costs within reach at current income levels: rent-to-income of 25.2% and mortgage-to-income of 25.0% both sit below the 30% stress threshold. The vacancy rate of 7.5% is above the healthy range of around 3%.
Mortgage / mo
$1,200
Rent / wk
$280
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$580
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.5%
Unoccupied
134
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.0%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
19.8%
Couples, no children
3,409
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employer at 22.7% of the local workforce (195 workers), followed by Retail at 9.7% (83), Manufacturing at 8.8% (76), Education at 8.6% (74) and Public Administration at 7.9% (68). By occupation, Labourers lead at 288 workers and Community/Personal Service at 249, consistent with a low-wage blue-collar profile. The unemployment rate of 15.9% is significantly higher than the national average, driven in part by a participation rate of only 46.8%. Of the 1,413 residents not in the labour force, a substantial share reflects the young-family and care demographics. Real incomes grew 17.8% over the decade, but the absolute level remains low at a median $580 per week personal income. All four SEIFA deciles sit at 1, placing Leichhardt among the most disadvantaged communities in the country.
Unemployment
4.3%
Labour Force
11,677
Unemployed
499
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.7%
Part-time
20.4%
Participation
46.8%
Employed
1,330
Occupations
Top Industries
University
12.5%
Postgraduate
1.5%
Born Overseas
12.6%
Dwellings
1,650
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high: 86.9% of residents drive to work, while only 3.3% use public transport and 1.3% walk or cycle, reflecting the suburban land use typical of the Ipswich corridor. SEIFA decile 1 on IRSAD places Leichhardt among the lowest-advantage areas nationally, which is relevant context for accessing services and amenities. Rent-to-income of 25.2% keeps housing costs manageable relative to earnings, offering affordability that many higher-ranked suburbs cannot match. A need-for-assistance rate of 12.1% (502 residents) is above typical suburban levels, consistent with the decile 1 disadvantage profile. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families access schools in neighbouring Ipswich suburbs. The volunteering rate of 8.8% suggests moderate community engagement relative to higher-income areas.
Drive
86.9%
Public Transport
3.3%
Walk / Cycle
1.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.66%/yr
(+121 people/yr)
EstablishedLeichhardt's population grew 11.2% over the decade, from roughly 16,400 in 2011 to 18,357 by 2025, exceeding the national growth rate. Annual growth runs at 0.66%, or about 121 additional residents each year, and medium forecasts project the SA2 population reaching 19,116 by 2031. After a COVID dip of 2.3%, the area recovered fully with a 3.4% rebound above the pre-COVID level. The key dynamic is a demographic swap: overseas migration adds 224 residents a year while internal migration removes 178, producing a steady net gain. Gentrification scoring sits at 20 with an early-signs classification, driven by affordability improving from 48.4% in 2011 to 43.6% in 2021, real income growth of 17.8% and rent growth of 30.4% over the same period.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+224
Net Internal / yr
-178
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Net internal outflow -178/yr, Strong overseas inflow +224/yr, COVID recovered (-2% dip → full recovery)
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 ranks in decile 1 on all four SEIFA indexes, the most disadvantaged tier nationally, with household income at the 17.9th percentile. Strengths include affordable housing at a $345,000 median and rent-to-income of 25.2%, plus a growing population of 4,471 adding around 121 residents a year. Trade-offs include 15.9% unemployment and high car dependency.
What is the median house price in Leichhardt?
The estimated median house price is $345,000, well below state and national medians. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,200, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 25.0%, below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $280, implying a gross yield near 4.2% for investors.
What schools are in Leichhardt?
No schools are recorded inside the Leichhardt boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Ipswich suburbs. The local population has a university qualification rate of 12.5%, which is 17.6 points below the national average, reflecting the suburb's blue-collar workforce profile.
Is Leichhardt safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Leichhardt in this dataset. As a context indicator, the suburb scores decile 1 on the IRSAD relative disadvantage index, the lowest advantage tier nationally. Approximately 12.1% of residents (502 people) need daily assistance, above the typical suburban average.
Is Leichhardt good for property investment?
A 65.2% renter share and weekly rent of $280 against a $345,000 median imply a gross yield near 4.2%, above inner-city benchmarks. Population grew 11.2% over the decade and rent grew 30.4%. The vacancy rate of 7.5% is elevated, however, and the decile 1 SEIFA profile means demand is more price-sensitive than in higher-income suburbs.
How is Leichhardt's population changing?
The population grew 11.2% over 10 years and is forecast to reach around 19,116 by 2031 at 0.66% annual growth. Overseas migration adds 224 residents per year, offsetting an internal outflow of 178. The suburb recovered fully from a 2.3% COVID dip and shows early gentrification signals including a 17.8% real income gain over the decade.
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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