St Leonards (NSW)

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Analysis of ABS demographic updates for the broader region, combined with new addresses validated by Districts since the Census, indicates that the suburb of St Leonards (NSW) has an estimated population of approximately 8,249 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 1,037 people (14.4%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 7,212 residents. The shift is calculated using the resident population of 8,230, which was calculated by Districts based on the ABS June 2025 release of ERP figures, alongside an extra 895 validated new addresses added since the Census. With this population level, the density ratio reaches 10,311 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the top 10% of all national areas evaluated by Districts, highlighting the high demand for local land. The 14.4% expansion rate in the suburb of St Leonards (NSW) since the 2021 census outpaced the SA4 region (5.9%) as well as the state overall, positioning the locality as a regional growth leader. Overseas arrivals served as the primary contributor to population expansion, accounting for roughly of the total demographic gains during recent times.

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The local workforce is characterized by high levels of education, with a strong concentration in the technology sector, a low unemployment rate of 3.0%, and an annual employment growth estimate of 1.7% based on Districts calculations of regional data. By March 2026, employed residents numbered 5,819, with the jobless rate tracking at 1.1% below the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%, and labor participation reaching an elevated 80.2% compared to the metropolitan average of 69.1%. Census records show that a high proportion of 67.0% of working residents operated from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.

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Based on Districts' aggregation of the latest postcode-level ATO statistics released for financial year 2023, the taxpayer base in St Leonards recorded a median income of $83,715 alongside an average income of $122,619. These figures represent exceptionally high levels nationally, comparing to $60,817 (median) and $83,003 (average) across Greater Sydney. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, updated estimates point to a median of approximately $92,354 and an average of $135,273 as of March 2026. According to Census data, local household, family, and individual earnings are highly ranked, placing in the 90th to 98th percentiles nationally. Income distribution figures show that 33.8% of the population (2,788 individuals) earn weekly incomes between $1,500 - which is similar to the broader metropolitan distribution of . High earners represent a strong proportion of the community, with receiving over weekly, which reflects considerable purchasing power. While local households allocate of their income to high housing costs, strong overall earnings keep disposable income at the rd percentile, placing the area in the th decile on the SEIFA index for income.

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The mix of housing in St Leonards at the time of the Census consisted of 2.8% standalone houses and 97.2% other housing formats including apartments, semi-detached properties, and alternative dwellings, compared to the wider metropolitan split of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. The rate of home ownership was lower than the Sydney metropolitan average, standing at 12.5%, with the rest of the occupied dwellings held under mortgages (17.8%) or occupied by renters (69.8%). Median monthly mortgage obligations were higher than the Sydney metro median at $2,600, while the median weekly rental cost was recorded at $600, compared to metropolitan figures of $2,427 and $470. Globally within Australia, mortgage commitments in St Leonards are higher than the national median of $1,863, and weekly rents are elevated compared to the national average of $375.

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Family units account for the majority of local households at 54.0%, consisting of couples with children at 16.0%, childless couples at 32.5%, and single parent families at 4.7%. The remaining 46.0% consists of non-family households, with single-person households representing 39.1% and group shared households comprising 6.8% of the total. The median household occupancy of 1.9 residents is lower than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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Qualifications in St Leonards are exceptionally high compared to broader averages, with 71.9% of the population aged 15+ holding university degrees, compared to national and state levels of 30.4% and 32.2% respectively. This educational profile positions local residents well for knowledge-intensive career paths. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 44.3%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 23.8% and graduate diplomas at 3.8%. Vocational education accounts for 15.2% of qualifications among residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (8.9%) and certificates (6.3%).

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Analysis of local transit indicates there are 21 active public transport stops in St Leonards, consisting of both rail and bus services. These facilities are served by 43 separate routes, which combine to support 11,647 passenger trips each week. Transport access is highly rated, with residents living an average of 132 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the area's residential focus, the majority of working residents travel outward for work. Private cars are the primary mode of travel at 41%, followed by trains at 26% and walking at 22%. Vehicle ownership stands at an average of 0.3 cars per home, which is below the metropolitan average. A high proportion of residents, at 67.0%, work from home based on 2021 Census data, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

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Health outcomes in St Leonards are highly favorable, based on Districts analysis of mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, which reveals low rates of common health issues across all demographics. Additionally, private health insurance uptake is exceptionally high, covering approximately 75% of the local population (6,202 people), compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

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The locality ranks among the most culturally diverse areas nationally, with 49.9% of residents using a language other than English at home and 61.4% born outside Australia. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation at 30.8% of the population. The most prominent religious overrepresentation is Buddhism, which is practiced by 5.9% of residents compared to the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%.

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The median age of 35 years in the suburb of St Leonards (NSW) is slightly below the Greater Sydney average of 37 and the national average of 38. The 25 - 34 age bracket is highly represented at 31.1% of the population compared to Greater Sydney, while children aged 5 - 14 are less common at 4.6%. The concentration of residents aged 25 - 34 is also higher than the national average of 14.6%. Since 2021, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 has risen from 7.2% to 9.1%, and the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 1.9% to 3.4%. Conversely, the 25 to group declined from to . Demographic projections for suggest significant shifts, with the to cohort expected to grow by people (), rising from to .

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St Leonards currently has an estimated 371 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 263 children aged 0-2 and 174 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 6% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 14% by 2041 (to approximately 422 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 561. Birth rates in the area have averaged 13.7 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a high rate (among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.