Leopold
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Leopold are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Leopold's population, as of August 2025, is approximately 14,038. This figure reflects a growth of 766 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 13,272. The increase was inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,756 in June 2024 and an additional 214 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 502 persons per square kilometer. Leopold's growth rate of 5.8% since the 2021 census exceeded the non-metro area average of 5.5%. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration, contributing approximately 41.2% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch bases its projections on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch uses the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusting with a method of weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to demographic trends, Leopold is forecasted to experience significant population growth, increasing by approximately 4,235 persons to reach around 18,273 by the year 2041, indicating a total gain of about 28.1% over the 17-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Leopold when compared nationally

Leopold has seen approximately 82 new homes approved annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, with 412 homes approved over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25 inclusive. As of FY-26, there have been 6 approvals so far. On average, 1.1 new residents arrive per new home annually over the past five financial years.

This indicates a balanced supply and demand, creating stable market conditions. The average construction cost value for new dwellings is $380,000, which is below regional norms, reflecting more affordable housing options for purchasers. In FY-26, $7.2 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting the area's residential character.

Compared to the Rest of Vic., Leopold has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and places among the 60th percentile of areas assessed nationally for new dwellings. New development consists predominantly of detached houses (92.0%) with a smaller proportion of attached dwellings (8.0%), preserving the area's low density nature. This trend attracts space-seeking buyers, with an estimated 362 people per dwelling approval reflecting its quiet and low activity development environment. Future projections indicate Leopold will add approximately 3,952 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Leopold has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 38thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 19 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones include Estuary Estate, Allegra Estate, Caspian Estate, and Leopold Green Estate. The following details those expected to have the greatest relevance.

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

AreaSearch analysis indicates Leopold maintains employment conditions that align with national benchmarks

Leopold's workforce is skilled with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.4%.

Employment grew by 2.1% in the year to June 2025. As of this date, 7,214 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.4% lower than Rest of Vic.'s 3.8%. Workforce participation is at 62.0%, compared to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Key industries for Leopold's residents include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

Construction employment share is 1.3 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 1.0% of local workers, below Rest of Vic.'s 7.5%. From June 2024 to June 2025, Leopold's employment levels increased by 2.1%, labour force by 2.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Vic., where employment contracted by 0.9%, labour force fell by 0.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, adding 39,880 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. National rate is 4.5%, with state's employment growth outpacing national average of 0.26%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Leopold's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.6%% over five years and 13.7% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2022 shows median income in Leopold at $49,792 and average income at $59,795. This contrasts with Rest of Vic., which had a median income of $48,741 and an average income of $60,693 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% from July 2022 to March 2025, current estimates suggest median income in Leopold would be approximately $54,826 and average income around $65,840 by March 2025. According to Census 2021 data, incomes in Leopold rank modestly, between the 40th and 41st percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. The earnings profile indicates that the largest segment comprises 34.3% of residents earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (4,815 individuals), which is similar to the metropolitan region where this cohort represents 30.3%. After housing expenses, 85.6% of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the fifth decile.

Leopold is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Leopold, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 92.3% houses and 7.8% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro Vic.'s dwelling structure was 84.6% houses and 15.4% other dwellings. Home ownership level in Leopold was 38.5%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (42.8%) or rented (18.7%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Leopold was $1,603, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,712 and Australia's national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure in Leopold was $375, comparable to the national figure but lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s $335.

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

Family households constitute 74.3% of all households, including 31.5% couples with children, 30.1% couples without children, and 11.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 25.7%, with lone person households at 23.9% and group households making up 1.8%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

Educational attainment in Leopold aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 19.7%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.7% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (12.3%) and certificates (29.4%). Educational participation is high at 27.3%, comprising 9.4% in primary education, 7.3% in secondary education, and 3.6% in tertiary education.

Leopold Primary School serves the local area with an enrollment of 882 students, operating under typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1019). The school focuses on primary education, with secondary options available nearby due to limited local capacity (6.3 places per 100 residents vs 16.7 regionally), leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Leopold has 70 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by four different routes that together facilitate 845 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as good, with residents living an average of 221 meters from the nearest stop.

Each route operates an average of 120 trips per day, resulting in about 12 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Leopold is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Leopold faces significant health challenges, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. Approximately 50% (~6,948 people) have private health cover, compared to 52.7% across Rest of Vic., and the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues impact 10.3%, while asthma affects 8.5% of residents.

Sixty-three point six percent declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 65.9% across Rest of Vic.. The area has 21.1% (2,960 people) aged 65 and over, higher than the 16.8% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Leopold ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Leopold's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 86.1% of its population born in Australia, 92.0% being citizens, and 93.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Leopold, comprising 49.6% of people, compared to 47.4% across Rest of Vic.. The top three ancestry groups were English (30.7%), Australian (28.4%), and Irish (8.9%).

Notably, Dutch representation was higher at 2.7%, compared to the regional average of 2.0%. Polish and Maltese representations were also higher at 0.9% and 0.8%, respectively, compared to regional averages of 0.8% and 0.5%.

Leopold's median age exceeds the national pattern

Leopold's median age is 40, which is slightly below Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 but above Australia's median of 38. Compared to Rest of Vic., the 25-34 cohort in Leopold is notably higher at 13.2%, while the 65-74 group is lower at 10.9%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the 25-34 age group has increased from 12.3% to 13.2%, while the 45-54 cohort has decreased from 12.6% to 11.7%. By 2041, Leopold's population is forecasted to see significant growth in the 25-34 age group, with an increase of 1,180 people (63%) from 1,860 to 3,041. The 75-84 age group is expected to grow more modestly by 6%, adding only 67 residents.