Leabrook

An assessment of population growth drivers in Leabrook reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the Leabrook statistical area (SA2) had an estimated population of around 1,579 as of November 2025. This reflects a decrease of 26 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,605 people. The change was inferred from the resident population of 1,575 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,506 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Leabrook demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, the SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Moving forward with demographic trends, an above median population growth is projected for the Leabrook (SA2), with the area expected to grow by 349 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 28.6% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Leabrook according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, shows Leabrook has had virtually no dwelling approvals in recent years. Over the past 5 financial years, from FY21 to FY25, an estimated total of 3 homes were approved. So far in FY26, recorded approvals are 0.

The average number of new residents per year for every home built over these years is 29.3. This indicates demand significantly outpacing supply, which typically puts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $594,000, suggesting developers focus on the premium market with high-end developments. Compared to Greater Adelaide, Leabrook has significantly less development activity, 94.0% below regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established homes. However, construction activity has intensified recently. Nationally, this level is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints.

Leabrook has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 21stth percentile nationally

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. One notable project identified by AreaSearch that could impact this area is the UniSA Magill Campus Redevelopment (Magill Project). Other key projects include SA Water Capital Work Delivery Contracts, Unley Cultural Hub, and Adelaide Level Crossings Congestion and Safety. The following list details those projects likely to have the most relevance.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Employment conditions in Leabrook rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Leabrook has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate is 0.5%, with estimated employment growth of 3.4% in the past year.

As of September 2025771 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 3.4% below Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation lags at 47.7% compared to Greater Adelaide's 61.7%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training. The area shows strong specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share of 2.1 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction has lower representation at 5.4% versus the regional average of 8.7%. Employment opportunities appear limited locally, indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. In the year to September 2025, employment levels increased by 3.4% and labour force by 3.3%, keeping unemployment relatively stable. Greater Adelaide recorded employment growth of 3.0% and labour force growth of 2.9%, with unemployment falling by 0.1 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows SA employment grew by 1.19% year-on-year, with the state unemployment rate at 4.0%. National unemployment is 4.3%, with SA's employment growth outpacing the national average of 0.14%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest local employment should increase by 7.7% over five years and 15.6% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to Leabrook's employment mix.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

The latest AreaSearch postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 shows median income in Leabrook suburb is $57,764 and average income is $94,608. This compares to Greater Adelaide's median income of $54,808 and average income of $66,852. Based on Wage Price Index growth rate of 8.8% from July 2023 to June 2025, estimated median income in Leabrook would be approximately $62,847 and average income would be around $102,934 by September 2025. According to the Census conducted on August 10, 2021, personal income ranks at the 75th percentile ($966 weekly) and household income is at the 46th percentile in Leabrook. Income distribution shows that 27.4% of residents (432 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, similar to metropolitan region's 31.8%. After housing costs, residents retain 87.7% of their income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Leabrook displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Leabrook's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 40.5% houses and 59.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Adelaide metro's 67.0% houses and 33.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Leabrook stood at 47.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.8% and rented ones at 26.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,140, below Adelaide metro's average of $2,300. Median weekly rent in Leabrook was $308, compared to Adelaide metro's $360. Nationally, Leabrook's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,140 than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower at $308 than the national figure of $375.

Leabrook features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 53.9% of all households, including 20.7% couples with children, 26.9% couples without children, and 4.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 46.1%, comprising 44.3% lone person households and 1.6% group households. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.5.

Leabrook shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Leabrook's educational attainment is notably higher than broader averages. 48.0% of residents aged 15+ have university qualifications, compared to 25.7% in South Australia (SA) and 28.9% in Greater Adelaide. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 30.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 13.7% and graduate diplomas at 3.7%. Vocational pathways account for 19.3% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 10.8% and certificates at 8.5%.

A significant 22.6% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 6.8% in secondary education, 6.3% in primary education, and 5.7% in tertiary education.

Transport servicing is good compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Leabrook has 13 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops are served by a mix of buses along seven individual routes. The total weekly passenger trips facilitated by these routes is 428.

Residents have excellent accessibility to transport, with an average distance of 142 meters to the nearest stop. Service frequency across all routes averages 61 trips per day, which equates to approximately 32 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Leabrook is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Leabrook faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 64% of Leabrook's total population (1,015 people) have private health cover, compared to Greater Adelaide's 67.8% and the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 12.5% of residents) and heart disease (7.0%), while 60.7% report being free from medical ailments, compared to Greater Adelaide's 72.6%.

Leabrook has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 40.5% (639 people), compared to Greater Adelaide's 23.6%. Health outcomes among seniors in Leabrook are generally aligned with the overall population's health profile.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Leabrook was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Leabrook's population was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 26.7% born overseas and 16.9% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Leabrook, accounting for 55.5% of its population. Notably, Judaism was slightly overrepresented compared to Greater Adelaide, comprising 0.4% versus 0.3%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (29.9%, substantially higher than the regional average of 24.6%), Australian (21.2%), and Irish (8.2%). Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: French was overrepresented at 0.7% compared to the regional average of 0.5%, Italian was slightly underrepresented at 5.1% versus 6.0%, and Serbian was also overrepresented at 0.4% compared to 0.3%.

Leabrook ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Leabrook's median age stands at 55 years, significantly higher than Greater Adelaide's average of 39 and Australia's median of 38. The 85+ cohort is notably over-represented in Leabrook at 13.1%, compared to the Greater Adelaide average of 2.2%. Conversely, those aged 25-34 are under-represented at 8.3%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 15-24 age group grew from 10.0% to 11.7%, while the 65-74 cohort declined from 12.0% to 10.8% and the 55-64 group dropped from 10.3% to 9.2%. By 2041, Leabrook's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 85+ group will grow by 100%, reaching 414 people from 206. Those aged 65 and above are projected to comprise 71% of this growth. Meanwhile, the 0-4 cohort grows by a modest 7%, adding 3 people.