Leura
At a median age of 55, Leura sits 15 years above the national figure, making it one of the most age-skewed suburbs in the Blue Mountains. Nearly half of residents own their homes outright (49.6%), which is rare even by NSW standards, yet household income registers only at the 35.4th percentile nationally. That pairing reflects a wealth-through-ownership story rather than high earnings. The 19.6% vacancy rate is notable for a suburb of 4,503 people and points to a significant holiday-letting or second-home cohort keeping dwellings empty for parts of the year. Separate houses make up 84.2% of stock and university qualifications reach 45.4%, which is 15.3 points above the national average.
Population
4,503
Median Age
55.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,369/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
52
Median House
$1.1M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price in Leura is $1,090,000, up from $1,082,500 in 2024, a 0.7% rise in one year. With 84.2% of dwellings being separate houses, detached home buyers have reasonably deep choice compared to denser suburbs, though the 19.6% vacancy rate means competition from holiday-home owners for quality properties. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 44.5%, followed by 4-plus bedroom at 30.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 33.7%, above the 30% stress threshold. The high outright-ownership rate of 49.6% versus 28.7% on a mortgage signals that many owners bought years ago when prices were lower, so recent purchasers are carrying heavier relative debt than local data might suggest.
For Buyers
The median house price in Leura is $1,090,000, up from $1,082,500 in 2024, a 0.7% rise in one year. With 84.2% of dwellings being separate houses, detached home buyers have reasonably deep choice compared to denser suburbs, though the 19.6% vacancy rate means competition from holiday-home owners for quality properties. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 44.5%, followed by 4-plus bedroom at 30.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 33.7%, above the 30% stress threshold. The high outright-ownership rate of 49.6% versus 28.7% on a mortgage signals that many owners bought years ago when prices were lower, so recent purchasers are carrying heavier relative debt than local data might suggest.
For Investors
Rental demand in Leura is structurally thin. Only 21.7% of residents rent, compared to the national average closer to 30%, and the 19.6% vacancy rate is a direct signal that a large share of the housing stock sits unused for stretches of the year. Weekly rent averages $430, and against a $1,090,000 median that implies a gross yield around 2.0%, low relative to most NSW markets. Net overseas migration of 186 per year supports the local SA2, but net internal outflow of 94 residents annually partly offsets that. The 52% rent growth over the decade shows landlords have captured price gains, though the vacancy figure means achieving consistent occupancy depends heavily on short-term and holiday-let strategies rather than standard long-term tenancy. Development activity runs at 48 applications in the past 12 months, mostly alterations and secondary dwellings.
Development Activity
Total DAs
328
Last 12 Months
52
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-8.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Leura iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Leura Public School
K-6 · 199 students
Demographics
The median age of 55 is 15 years above the national median, and the demographic trajectory reinforces this gap: the senior share rose 7.9 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 3.5 points. Couples without children account for 41.8% of families, well above what a younger suburb would show. University qualifications at 45.4% run 15.3 points above national, which aligns with the professional and managerial occupation mix. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (2,037 residents), Irish (816) and Scottish (668). Overseas-born residents total 25.5%, which is 3.9 points above the national figure. Volunteering reaches 21.4% of residents, well above typical suburban rates, consistent with an older, community-engaged cohort. Only 3 non-English languages register meaningful counts: Mandarin (19), German (18) and French (13).
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
84.2%
Houses
8.0%
Townhouse
7.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure in Leura is defined by outright ownership: 49.6% own without a mortgage, nearly double the proportion still paying one off at 28.7%, and only 21.7% rent. This ownership concentration is typically associated with long-term holders who purchased at lower price points. The stock is 84.2% separate houses, 8.0% semi-detached and 7.9% apartments. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 44.5% and 4-plus bedroom properties account for 30.1%. The median price moved from $1,082,500 in 2024 to $1,090,000 in 2025, a modest 0.7% lift. Rent-to-income sits at 31.4%, above the 30% stress threshold, and mortgage-to-income at 33.7% is also stressed, meaning both renters and mortgage holders face affordability pressure despite the suburb's relatively modest income levels at the 35.4th percentile nationally.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wk
$430
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$753
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
19.6%
Unoccupied
492
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
31.4% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
33.7% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
41.8%
Couples, no children
3,155
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare and Education together account for 36.4% of local employment, with Healthcare at 18.3% (257 workers) and Education at 18.1% (254), reflecting a service-oriented local economy. Professional/Technical work follows at 12.2% and Public Administration at 9.3%, while Hospitality at 7.4% reflects tourism demand in the Blue Mountains. By occupation, Professionals are the largest group at 635, ahead of Managers at 325, consistent with the suburb's IEO decile 8, which places it in the top 20% for education and occupation nationally. The unemployment rate is 5.1% and the full-time employment rate is 56.6%. The participation rate of 42.8% is low, because the aging population contributes 1,823 residents outside the labour force. SEIFA IER decile is 3, lower than expected from the educational profile, because outright ownership without high income depresses the economic resources index.
Unemployment
4.3%
Labour Force
6,666
Unemployed
284
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.6%
Part-time
38.3%
Participation
42.8%
Employed
1,613
Occupations
Top Industries
University
45.4%
Postgraduate
16.2%
Born Overseas
25.5%
Dwellings
2,010
Transport to Work
Car dependence is dominant at 82.2% of workers driving, while only 3.4% use public transport and 6.6% walk or cycle. This reflects the Blue Mountains geography where public transport options are limited relative to urban Sydney. The suburb scores IEO decile 8, placing it in the top 20% nationally for education and occupational advantage, though IRSAD decile 6 and IRSD decile 5 suggest a more middling socioeconomic position overall, because income ranks low at the 35.4th percentile despite high qualification rates. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on neighbouring Blue Mountains communities. The need-for-assistance rate is 7.1% (301 residents), slightly elevated compared to the national baseline, consistent with the older age profile. Volunteering at 21.4% points to strong community participation.
Drive
82.2%
Public Transport
3.4%
Walk / Cycle
6.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.05%/yr
(+7 people/yr)
EstablishedLeura's population of 4,503 sits within a broader SA2 that grew from 13,396 in 2023 to 13,569 in 2025. The annual growth rate is just 0.05%, adding about 7 people per year, classifying this as a slow-growth, established suburb. Over the decade, population increased 3.3%. Overseas migration is the primary driver, contributing a net 186 residents annually to the SA2, while net internal outflow of 94 per year acts as a partial offset. The medium forecast holds the SA2 population near 13,555 through 2031, so no significant expansion is expected. Gentrification is at early signs stage with a score of 36, which reflects real income growth of 13.3% over the decade and rent growth of 52%, but the overall trajectory remains aging rather than redevelopment-led. Affordability has worsened from 50.7% in 2011 to 55.3% in 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+186
Net Internal / yr
-94
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Leura compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Leura a good suburb to live in?
Leura ranks in IEO decile 8, placing it in the top 20% nationally for education and occupational advantage. University qualifications reach 45.4%, which is 15.3 points above the national figure. The suburb attracts long-term residents, with 79.9% of people remaining from the previous period. The main trade-offs are high car dependence at 82.2% and limited public transport at 3.4%, along with a median age of 55 that signals a predominantly older community.
What is the median house price in Leura?
The median house price in Leura is $1,090,000 as of 2025, up from $1,082,500 in 2024, a rise of 0.7%. Separate houses make up 84.2% of the stock. Weekly rent averages $430 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $2,000, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 33.7%, above the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Leura?
No schools are recorded inside the Leura suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Blue Mountains suburbs. The local adult population is highly qualified, with 45.4% holding university degrees, which is 15.3 points above the national average, reflecting an educated resident base despite the absence of local schooling.
Is Leura safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Leura in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores IEO decile 8 nationally, placing it in the top 20% for educational and occupational advantage. The IRSAD decile 6 suggests a broadly low-to-moderate disadvantage profile. Only 7.1% of residents (301 people) need daily assistance, which is consistent with a stable, established community.
Is Leura good for property investment?
The investment case is mixed. Weekly rent of $430 against a $1,090,000 median implies a gross yield near 2.0%, which is low. The 19.6% vacancy rate is the key risk, signalling that a large share of dwellings sits empty outside holiday periods. Rent growth of 52% over the decade has been strong, but net internal population outflow of 94 residents annually limits long-term tenant demand. Holiday-let strategies may suit this market better than standard long-term rentals.
How is Leura's population changing?
Population growth is very slow at 0.05% annually, adding about 7 people per year. The 10-year population increase is 3.3%. The suburb is on an aging trajectory: the senior share rose 7.9 points and the working-age share fell 3.5 points over the decade. Overseas migration adds a net 186 residents per year to the wider SA2, partially offset by net internal outflow of 94, leaving the medium forecast near flat through 2031.
How much development is happening in Leura?
There were 48 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Recent examples include dwelling house alterations and a secondary dwelling application, consistent with owners upgrading existing stock rather than building new supply. This level of activity is moderate for a suburb of 4,503 people and reflects the established, slow-growth character of the area.
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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