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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Leongatha has an estimated 11,771 residents, up from 11,502 at the 2021 Census — a change of 269 people, or 2.3%. Growth has averaged 0.5% a year over five years, slower than 78% of areas nationally. 170 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Density is about 15 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to calculations by AreaSearch, the population of Leongatha stands at approximately 11,771 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 269 individuals (2.3%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 11,502 residents. This shift is derived from the ABS estimated resident population of 11,699 in June 2025 combined with 170 validated new addresses registered after the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 14.7 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious residential environment. The 2.3% post-census growth rate for Leongatha is within 2.0 percentage points of the Rest of Vic.
(4.3%), showing relatively strong growth characteristics. Inward interstate migration was the primary driver of this growth, accounting for about 53.6% of the total population increase over recent times. AreaSearch utilizes ABS/Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline for SA2 areas. For SA2 areas where this data is unavailable, projections are sourced from the 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA releases, adjusted using a weighted aggregation of growth from LGA to SA2 scales. These aggregated growth rates by age group are applied across all locations for the period from 2032 to 2041. Based on these demographic methods, the total population is projected to shrink by 1,042 residents by 2041. In contrast, certain age brackets are expected to rise, particularly the 25 to 34 age group, which is forecast to grow by 195 individuals. More details can be found in the age section.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
272 new dwellings have been approved in Leongatha over the past five years, an average of 54 a year. That is 4.7 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 36 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 92% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 50, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Approximately 54 residential approvals have been granted annually in Leongatha, resulting in a total of 272 new homes over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 46 approvals have been registered. Given that only 1 person per year moved to the region for every new home built between FY-21 and FY-25, residential construction is matching or running ahead of demand, providing buyers with more choices and potentially supporting faster population growth than projected, with new properties being built at an average value of $321,000. Additionally, commercial approvals have reached $16.4 million this financial year, showing a moderate level of business development.
Leongatha exhibits a low level of building activity relative to Rest of Vic., running 59.0% below the regional per capita average. This restricted pipeline of new properties generally assists in maintaining demand and prices for existing homes. The new additions are comprised of 92.0% separate houses and 8.0% semi-detached properties or apartments, preserving the traditional low-density profile of the area which attracts families desiring space. Reflecting this low-density character, the area averages about 327 people for each building approval. Faced with stable or shrinking population projections, Leongatha is likely to experience reduced pressure on its housing stock, creating advantageous conditions for home buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Leongatha
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 7 current infrastructure and development projects inside Leongatha, worth an estimated $218 million. A further 146 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $29.6 billion. 53 are already under construction and 64 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and energy. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Changes to local infrastructure, major developments, and planning schemes are key drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 projects expected to impact the locality. Prominent developments include the Leongatha Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), the Great Southern Rail Trail Leongatha Precinct Development, the Leongatha Business Precinct (Bair Street) Redevelopment, and the Parr Street Leongatha Rezoning and Subdivision, with the list below highlighting the most relevant ones.
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INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Leongatha Battery Energy Storage System
BNRG Leeson is progressing a proposed 60 MW AC / 240 MWh four-hour battery energy storage system in Leongatha, Victoria. The project is planned across about 4.5 acres and includes approximately 42 battery containers and 14 inverters, using proximity to existing high-voltage transmission infrastructure to support grid stability and renewable energy integration. The developer states that a planning exemption has been approved, with construction targeted to commence in 2027 and completion targeted for 2027, subject to final approvals, design and procurement.
Leongatha Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
A proposed 60MW/240MWh battery energy storage system spanning 4.5 acres to enhance grid stability and support renewable energy integration in South Gippsland, featuring 42 BESS containers and 14 inverters.
Parr Street Leongatha Rezoning and Subdivision
Combined planning scheme amendment and permit application to rezone land from Farming Zone to General Residential Zone Schedule 1, remove Environmental Significance Overlay Schedule 2 and Erosion Management Overlay, amend Land Subject to Inundation Overlay, and subdivide into 171 residential lots in stages, including native vegetation removal and easement management.
Glendalough Carbon Revegetation Project
A major 240-hectare biodiverse forest restoration and climate action project in Ferndale restoring native bushland, restoring Strzelecki koala habitat, and sequestering over 170,000 tonnes of carbon.
Great Southern Rail Trail Leongatha Precinct Development
The Great Southern Rail Trail Leongatha Precinct Development involves significant upgrades to the Leongatha railway site to improve economic vitality, attract visitors, and complement the rail trail extension. Upgrades include new public open space (7,855m2), additional car parking, a pedestrian footbridge connecting to the main street, new playground equipment, trees and landscaping, public amenities, bike parking, and an outdoor entertainment area. The project, funded by $6 million from federal, state, and local sources, has seen the installation of the pedestrian bridge in November 2024 and redevelopment into a major trailhead by 2025.
Leongatha Business Precinct (Bair Street) Redevelopment
Streetscape redevelopment including footpath improvements, relocation of overhead powerlines underground, new energy-efficient lighting, drainage upgrades, raised pedestrian crossings, road and parking reconfiguration, and landscaping to enhance the town center's amenity and safety.
Mitchell's Rise Residential Development
Residential subdivision delivering 101 lots across 7 stages with lot sizes from approximately 540sqm to 1,333sqm. Works included a major VicRoads intersection, revegetated waterway, drainage reserve, street and reserve lighting, and retaining walls to address site topography.
South Gippsland Highway Realignment at Coal Creek Korumburra
Realignment of a 4.1 km section of the South Gippsland Highway south east of Korumburra at the Coal Creek bends to remove sharp curves, add safety barriers, and introduce roundabouts on Silkstone Road for improved safety, efficiency, and reliability.
5,785 residents of Leongatha are employed, from a labour force of 5,934. Unemployment sits at 2.5%, with participation at 60.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local workforce is skilled and active across multiple industries, showing an unemployment rate of only 2.5% and a 3.6% growth in jobs over the past year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 5,785, with the jobless rate sitting 1.2% below the Regional Vic. average of 3.7%, while the participation rate aligned with the Regional Vic. figure of 61.1%. Census data indicates a moderate 19.1% of local workers operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The primary sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, agriculture, forestry & fishing, and construction.
The region shows a high concentration of jobs in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with its share of employment reaching 1.8 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, health care & social assistance is less represented locally at 14.8% compared to the regional benchmark of 16.8%. The relationship between the Census working population and the local population suggests that a significant number of residents travel outside the area for employment, despite the presence of local jobs. An analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that during the 12 months leading to March 2026, employment grew by 3.6% and the labor force expanded by 3.3%, which caused the unemployment rate to drop by 0.2 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, Regional Vic. saw employment contract by 0.1%, the labor force contract by 0.3%, and the unemployment rate drop by 0.2 percentage points. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 offer additional context regarding future demand in Leongatha. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential expansion. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sectors vary widely. Applying these national sector trends to the local industry profile suggests Leongatha's employment could grow by 5.9% over five years and 12.6% over ten years, noting this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes that excludes local population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Leongatha is $1,315 a week (about $68,000 a year), with median personal income at $668 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $46,388 a year against an average of $58,936. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO postcode data for the 2023 financial year indicates Leongatha SA2 has a median taxpayer income of $46,388 and an average of $58,936. This is below national averages and compares to a median of $50,954 and an average of $62,728 in Regional Vic. Applying a Wage Price Index increase of 9.62% since the 2023 financial year yields estimated figures of approximately $50,851 for the median and $64,606 for the average in March 2026. The 2021 Census places household, family, and individual incomes in Leongatha between the 21st and 22nd national percentiles.
The largest income group contains 29.6% of residents (3,484 people) earning in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which is similar to the wider region where 30.3% of the population falls into this category. Although housing expenses are relatively low, leaving residents with 87.6% of their income, total disposable income sits in the 26th national percentile, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the 4th decile for income.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Leongatha had 4,490 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 96% detached houses and 1% apartments. 34% are owned with a mortgage, 18% rented and 48% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $270 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,457 a month. Rent absorbs 20.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, the housing stock in Leongatha was composed of 96.3% separate houses and 3.7% other housing types like townhouses and apartments, compared to 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings across Regional Vic. Home ownership in Leongatha was significantly higher than the Regional Vic. rate, standing at 48.0%, while the remaining properties were mortgaged (34.1%) or rented (17.9%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,457 was higher than the Regional Vic. average of $1,430, whereas the median weekly rent of $270 was lower than the regional average of $285.
In comparison to national benchmarks, Leongatha's monthly mortgage payments are well below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are far lower than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Leongatha counted 4,490 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 26% are couples with children, against 32% couples without children. 29% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 69.0%, which is composed of 26.2% couples with children, 31.8% couples without children, and 10.1% single parents. The remaining 31.0% are non-family households, consisting of 29.3% lone persons and 1.8% group households. The median household size is 2.4 people, matching the Regional Vic. average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
19.7% of adults in Leongatha hold a university qualification, including 13.7% with a bachelor degree and 3.1% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 28.2% hold a vocational qualification. 10 schools serve the area, with 2,731 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,012 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary qualification levels in the area are low, with 19.7% of residents holding a university degree compared to the VIC average of 33.4%. This gap highlights a need for focused educational programs. Among degree holders, 13.7% have bachelor degrees, 3.1% have postgraduate degrees, and 2.9% have graduate diplomas. Vocational qualifications are common, with 38.5% of residents aged 15+ holding credentials, including advanced diplomas (10.3%) and certificates (28.2%). A high level of educational engagement is evident, with 28.3% of the population enrolled in study. This includes 11.3% in primary schools, 9.1% in secondary schools, and 2.3% in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Leongatha reaches 14 stops on 3 routes, timetabled for about 120 services a week. The typical home sits about 670 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Analysis of transport networks shows 14 active stops operating in Leongatha. These stops are served by 3 separate routes, which provide a total of 115 passenger trips per week. Accessibility is considered limited, with the average distance to a stop being 670 meters. The area is mostly residential, resulting in commuting patterns where cars are the main mode of travel at 91%, followed by walking at 7%. The average number of vehicles per household is 1.6. Additionally, 19.1% of residents work from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been impacted by pandemic conditions.
Service frequency across the network averages 16 trips daily, which translates to about 8 weekly trips at each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
63.9% of residents in Leongatha report no long-term health condition. 6.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators in Leongatha show challenges, with notable mortality rates and chronic illnesses present in both younger and older cohorts, alongside a low rate of private health insurance at roughly 48% of the population (~5,697 people). This compares to a rate of 50.5% in Regional Vic. and a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent issues, affecting 10.6% and 8.2% of residents respectively, while 63.9% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 63.4% in Regional Vic. Chronic illness rates among working-age residents are higher than average.
The population includes 26.8% of residents aged 65 and over (3,159 people), compared to 23.9% in Regional Vic. Seniors in the area exhibit above-average health outcomes, with national rankings higher than those of the general local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Leongatha is largely Australian-born, at 88.4% of residents, with 4.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (33.2%) and Australian (30.8%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Leongatha is lower than average, with 88.4% of residents born in Australia, 90.8% holding citizenship, and 95.6% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, followed by 45.3% of the population. The most distinct religious overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of the population, matching the 0.1% rate across Regional Vic. The three most common ancestral backgrounds reported in Leongatha are English at 33.2%, Australian at 30.8%, and Irish at 9.4%. There are also differences in other backgrounds, with Dutch ancestry represented at 3.1% (compared to 1.7% in the wider region), Scottish at 9.3% (compared to 8.8%), and Italian at 3.4% (compared to 2.9%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Leongatha is 47, older than 84% of areas nationally. 19.8% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age in Leongatha is 47 years, which is higher than the Regional Vic. average of 43 and the national average of 38 years. Residents aged 65 - 74 years are highly represented (14.2%), whereas the 25 - 34 bracket is smaller (8.1%) than in Regional Vic. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age cohort has increased from 9.7% to 11.7%, and the 75 to 84 cohort has grown from 8.2% to 9.4%, while the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 13.5% to 11.8%. Significant demographic shifts are expected by 2041, led by a 17% increase (159 people) in the 25 to 34 age group, growing from 956 to 1,116 individuals.
Conversely, declines are expected in the 0 to 4 and 45 to 54 cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Leongatha
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 this month all 7 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 170 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (11,502 at the 2021 Census → 11,771 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (205031090). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.