St Leonards (Tas.)

Population growth drivers in St Leonards are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on demographic evaluations from the ABS for the surrounding region, as well as validated address updates from AreaSearch, the suburb of St Leonards (Tas.) is home to roughly 2,477 residents as of May 2026. This marks an expansion of 126 individuals (5.4%) relative to the 2,351 inhabitants documented in the 2021 Census. This adjustment stems from an Estimated Resident Population of 2,458 calculated by AreaSearch using the June 2025 ABS release, alongside 87 validated new addresses identified post-Census. With these figures, the density sits at 56 persons per square kilometer, indicating plenty of room for each resident. The 5.4% expansion rate since the 2021 census outstripped the SA3 area (2.6%) and the state overall, positioning the locality as a regional growth leader. The primary engine for this population increase was international migration, which accounted for approximately 56.00000000000001% of the overall gains, though interstate relocation and natural increase also made positive contributions.

Projections utilize ABS and Geoscience Australia models released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline for each SA2. For areas lacking this data, and to project age structures past 2032, calculations integrate the Tasmania State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2022 (using a 2021 baseline), adjusted via a weighted aggregation of population shifts from the LGA to the SA2 level. Future trends point to a population gain slightly under the median for non-metropolitan places, with the locality projected to grow by 128 persons by 2041 under aggregated SA2 models, representing a rise of 4.4% over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within St Leonards when compared nationally

Analysis of building approval statistics from the ABS indicates that St Leonards has averaged approximately 18 residential building approvals annually. This totals an estimated 90 dwellings approved over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, with 30 approved during the current FY-26. With an average of 1.5 new occupants per year for every home built between FY-21 and FY-25, demand and supply appear well-matched, creating a balanced market. This has recently adjusted to 0.1 people per home over the last 2 financial years, pointing to a further alignment of supply and demand. The average estimated construction cost for new properties stands at $458,000, illustrating a developer focus on high-end, premium housing. Furthermore, commercial approvals totaling $3.5 million were logged this financial year, highlighting the predominantly residential makeup of the area.

When compared against the Rest of Tas., St Leonards achieves 70.0% more new home approvals per capita, offering home buyers a broader selection. Recent building activity consists of 94.0% detached single dwellings and 6.0% townhouses or semi-detached units, preserving the established low density feel and emphasizing family homes for residents wanting space. The density profile is further highlighted by a ratio of roughly 123 people per building approval.

Projections indicate that St Leonards will add 109 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly estimation by AreaSearch. If current building rates persist, the supply of new homes is expected to easily accommodate this growth, ensuring favorable conditions for home buyers and potentially enabling gains above the projected numbers.

St Leonards has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 29thth percentile nationally

Local performance is highly dependent on infrastructure upgrades, planning schemes, and major developments. A total of 24 projects with local influence have been tracked. Key developments include the Cedar Grove Estate, a house and shed at 18 Casuarina Dr in Summerhill 7250, a house development and clearing at 38 Casuarina Dr in Summerhill, and the Peacehaven Aged Care Redevelopment, with details on the most significant projects listed below.

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

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

The local workforce is evenly distributed between professional and trade-based roles, with strong representation in key service sectors, an unemployment rate of only 1.3%, and consistent employment levels over the prior year. In March 2026, 1,329 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 2.7% lower than the Regional Tas. benchmark of 3.9%. Participation in the labor force is high, standing at 67.2% compared to 58.8% for Regional Tas. Census records show that a low 6.0% of the working population worked from home, though this data may reflect the influence of pandemic restrictions.

The primary sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. The workforce is highly specialized in construction, representing 1.5 times the regional proportion. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is minimal, employing just 2.5% of workers compared to 8.4% across the region. Although local employment is available, the ratio of Census workers to local population suggests many residents travel outside the area for work.

Labor force statistics compiled from wider statistical divisions reveal a 0.6% contraction in the labor force alongside a 0.3% drop in employment over the 12-month period, leading to a 0.3 percentage point decline in the unemployment rate. This differs from Regional Tas., where employment expanded by 1.8%, the labor force grew by 1.7%, and unemployment saw a minor reduction. Future job demand may be understood through national employment forecasts from May-25 issued by Jobs and Skills Australia. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential changes. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though industry growth varies. Applying these patterns to the local industry mix yields an estimated employment rise of 6.7% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, representing a basic weighting calculation without localized population adjustments.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

According to the latest ATO postcode statistics for the 2023 financial year, personal incomes in the suburb of St Leonards are close to the national middle, with a median of $53,285 and an average of $67,014. These figures exceed the Regional Tas. median of $49,689 and average of $59,358. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index rise of 10.95% since the 2023 financial year, current figures would be roughly $59,120 for the median and $74,352 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed local household, family, and personal incomes in a moderate bracket, ranging between the 39th and 42nd percentiles. A cohort of 35.0% of the population (866 individuals) earns between $1,500 and $2,999, mirroring the wider regional trend of 28.5% in this bracket. Residents retain 87.2% of their income after housing costs, though disposable income is below the national average at the 44th percentile.

St Leonards is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Housing options recorded in the last Census consisted of 94.0% separate houses and 6.0% alternative structures such as townhouses and apartments, compared to 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwelling types in Regional Tas. Home ownership was lower than the regional rate, standing at 32.5%, with the remaining properties occupied by mortgage holders (45.6%) or tenants (21.9%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,300 was higher than the Regional Tas. average of $1,274, and the median weekly rent of $290 also exceeded the regional median of $250. Nationally, mortgage costs are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well below the national median of $375.

St Leonards has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Families make up the majority of households at 76.1%, consisting of couples with children at 30.9%, couples without children at 29.2%, and single parents at 15.4%. Single person households account for 22.2% of the remaining 23.9% of non-family households, while group homes represent 1.4%. The median household occupancy of 2.5 people is higher than the Regional Tas. average of 2.3.

Educational outcomes in St Leonards fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

Higher education rates show a gap relative to national trends, with university qualification levels at 16.8% compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 12.3%, with postgraduate degrees at 2.6% and graduate diplomas at 1.9%. Vocational and practical training is common, as 40.7% of residents aged 15 and over hold trade qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 30.7%.

A high proportion of the community is engaged in learning, with 28.9% of residents enrolled in an educational program. Within this group, 11.8% are in primary school, 8.4% are in secondary school, and 3.3% are undertaking tertiary studies.

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

Public transport options include 23 active bus stops. These stops connect to 123 distinct routes, accommodating 10,303 passenger journeys every week. Accessibility is good, with residents living an average of 304 meters from a stop. As a commuter locality, the private vehicle is the main travel mode for 96% of working residents. Dwellings average 1.8 vehicles, which is above the regional average. A low 6.0% of the workforce worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

Transport schedules average 1,471 daily runs across all routes, which translates to approximately 447 weekly departures from each stop.

Health performance in St Leonards is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health indicators highlight significant challenges for the local community, based on mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic health conditions across various age groups. The level of private health insurance coverage is slightly ahead of the average SA2 area, representing approximately 54% of the population (around 1,330 people), compared to 49.1% in Regional Tas.

Mental health concerns and asthma are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 10.5% and 9.4% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 65.0% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, which is higher than the 62.0% regional rate. The working-age cohort exhibits elevated levels of chronic disease. Residents aged 65 and older make up 16.5% of the population (408 people), below the Regional Tas. average of 24.9%, although senior health outcomes rank lower relative to the national average than the general local population.

St Leonards is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

The local population has low cultural diversity, with 91.2% born in Australia, 93.0% holding citizenship, and 95.6% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 46.8% of residents. The most noticeable variation is in the Islamic community, which represents 0.9% of the population, compared to 0.6% across Regional Tas.

Regarding family backgrounds, the most common ancestries are English at 34.7%, Australian at 34.0%, and Scottish at 7.9%. Notable variations in other backgrounds include Dutch ancestry at 2.0% compared to 1.7% regionally, Russian ancestry at 0.3% compared to 0.1% regionally, and Croatian ancestry at 0.5% compared to 0.1% regionally.

St Leonards's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age of 38 years is lower than the Regional Tas. average of 45, matching the national median of 38. The 35 to 44 cohort is highly represented at 16.7% locally, whereas the 75 to 84 cohort is underrepresented at 4.5%. Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age group increased from 14.8% to 16.7%, and the 15 to 24 age bracket rose from 11.2% to 12.3%, while the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 14.8% to 13.6%. By 2041, demographic models project a 36% rise in the 45 to 54 cohort, growing by 100 people from 277 to 378, alongside declines in the 55 to 64 and 35 to 44 groups.