Median house price
$740k
+3.5% change
VIC · Greater Geelong Council
St Leonards, 3223
Est. population · Jun 2025
4,034
Growth (1 yr)
+2.6%
Growth (5 yr)
+22.4%
Median age
56
Median income
$1,183/wk
Employment rate
43.5%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$740,000
Languages at home
8.6%non-English
Most common: Greek, Italian, Croatian
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
Suburb profile
St Leonards wears its coastal identity openly, a mid-sized suburb built around sand, sea and an easy outdoor rhythm. A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. Shops and services are limited locally: a short trip to a nearby centre covers the fuller weekly shop.
Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Buses make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward. Property prices run toward the upper end of the local market.
Reported crime has been falling recently. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
Desirability sits around average overall, with local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus community and employment the main drag compared with similar coastal suburbs. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
St Leonards snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$490/wk
Population (ERP)
4,034
+2.6% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
44.8%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#40
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Safety
40th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
92nd
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
4/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
34th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 43.3/100 — Average
- National rank
- 3199th in Australia
- State rank
- 639th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #40 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #77 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 93%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
- $490
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $740,000
- Median price change
- +3.5%
Median weekly rent from Victorian government rent reports. Council median fallback may apply where suburb rent is unavailable.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DFFH rent report and Valuer-General property sales report — Department of Families, Fairness and Housing / Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 4th Quarter 2025; Sep 2025 (council median) · Updated · Quarterly releases; council median rent fallback where suburb rent unavailable
Population
Estimated resident population
4,034(June 2025)
+2.6% annual · +22.4% over 5 years · 92th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +2.6%
- 5-year growth
- +22.4%
- Change in 1 year
- +102
- Change in 5 years
- +737
- Growth rank in VIC
- 92th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~4,800), extrapolated at +3.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 3,542
- Median age
- 56
- Median household income / week
- $1,183
- Dwelling vacancy
- 44.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 1,266 of 2,828
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,654
- Employment rate
- 43.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,436 / 109 / 8
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (2026)
- 173
- Against the person
- 33
- Against property
- 86
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 42.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 107 residents
- State safety percentile
- 40.3th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -33.2%
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage23
- B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary9
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle14
- B49 Other Theft17
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order30
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- Recorded offences by suburb/town — Crime Statistics Agency (Victoria) · 2025 · Updated
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 970
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 34th
School list
- St Leonards Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 970 · 34th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 173 students · Top SEA quarter 3%View on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Public transport
27 public transport stops in this suburb
- 108 Bluff Rd
- Clyde Ave/Seachange Way
- Mainsail Dr/Sandbar St
- Margaret St/Bluff Rd
- Pearl Bay Psge/Mainsail Dr
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Amenities
5 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Decent local green space — 7 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 27 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 30/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.98
Sport & outdoors(2)
- Dominico Street PlaygroundPark
- Playground
Other(3)
- St Leonards - Indented Head Fire StationFire station
1060 Murradoc Road, St Leonards
- St Leonards-Indented Head Fire StationFire station
1060 Murradoc Road, St Leonards
- Shelter
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
6 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Charles McCarthy Memorial ReservePark
- Dominico Street PlaygroundPark
- Henty ReservePark
- Lake View ReservePark
- Leviens ReservePark
- Salt Lagoon, St Leonards Wildlife ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 12
- Parks (OSM)
- 7
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 1
- Nearest hospital
- Barwon Health - Newcomb (25.4 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- St Leonards PharmacyMurradoc RoadPharmacy
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 116
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 28.8
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 24° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 155 mm · ~19 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 20° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 186 mm · ~23 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 14° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 203 mm · ~25 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 207 mm · ~26 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).
61 planning-related records
2021· 29 proposals
September 2021
- Construction of Two (2) Dwellings58 BLUFF ROAD ST LEONARDS 3223NOD issued by a delegate
- Construction of a Dwelling 7.5m above Natural Ground Level387 THE ESPLANADE ST LEONARDS 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use and Development of an Emergency Services Facility (CFA) and Access to a Transport Zone 2 and associated vegetation removal on adjoining Road Reserve1060 MURRADOC ROAD ST LEONARDS 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
August 2021
- Construction of Two (2) Dwellings and a Two (2) Lot Subdivision15 WATTLETREE AVENUE ST LEONARDS 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of Two (2) Additional Dwellings and Three (3) Lot Subdivision13 WATTLETREE AVENUE ST LEONARDS 3223NOD issued by a delegate
- Construction of Two (2) Dwellings and Two (2) Lot SubdivisionPARENT - 486 THE ESPLANADE ST LEONARDS 3223Lapsed
July 2021
- Construction of a Dwelling Over 7.5m in Height and within 2m of a Side Boundary, a Pool, Outbuilding and Deck446 THE ESPLANADE ST LEONARDS 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of Dwelling over 7.5 metres in Height and Creation of Access to a Road Zone Category 1396 THE ESPLANADE ST LEONARDS 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
- Three (3) Lot Subdivision44 BLANCHE STREET ST LEONARDS 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Second Dwelling52 DUDLEY PARADE ST LEONARDS 3223NOD issued by a delegate
- Staged Multi-lot Subdivision, Removal of Native Vegetation and Creation of ReservePARENT - 79-175 Harvey RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Dwelling40 GAMBLE WAY ST LEONARDS 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
- Construction of a Dwelling over 7.5 metres in height and Creation of Access to a Road Zone - Category 1472 THE ESPLANADE ST LEONARDS 3223NOD issued by a delegate
- Construction of Two (2) Dwellings10 MANNING STREET ST LEONARDS 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Dwelling Over 7.5m in Height4 Swan ParadePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Boundary Realignment17-19 ORD STREET ST LEONARDS 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use and Development of the Land for a Residential Village and Display of Business Identification SignagePARENT - 511-529 Ibbotson StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of Six (6) Dwellings67 LEVIENS ROAD ST LEONARDS 3223NOD issued by a delegate
- Alterations and Additions to a Church1343-1349 Murradoc RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2021
- Alterations and Additions to an Existing Dwelling over 7.5m in height117 Bluff RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Extension to a Dwelling on a Lot Less than 300 Square Metres3/13 BLUFF ROAD ST LEONARDS 3223Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a new dwelling and garage4 Bayse StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
- Removal of Restrictive Covenant (P125808R) from Lot 17 on LP209377C (Vol 09826 Fol 567)44 Wattlehill GrovePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and Works associated with the Construction of Three (3) Dwellings61 LAKE VIEW CRESCENT ST LEONARDS 3223NOD issued by a delegate
February 2021
- Construction of a Dwelling in a Bushfire Management Overlay1 Bayse StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Variation of registered restrictive covenant as created in PS322416W (Lot 1A on PS322416W)396 The EsplanadePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Two (2) Lot Subdivision2 Phillip CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2021
- Construction of a Dwelling409B The EsplanadePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Two (2) Lot Subdivision90 Leviens RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 11 proposals
December 2020
- Buildings and Works associated with Alterations and Additions to an Existing Dwelling59 Cliff StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Shed423A The EsplanadeWithdrawn
- Construction of Two Dwellings, Two Lot Subdivision and Access to a Road Zone Category 11245 Murradoc RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Alterations and Additions to Existing Dwelling417 The EsplanadePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
November 2020
- Construction of a Dwelling 7.5m Above Natural Ground Level and Create Access to a Road Zone Category 1399 The EsplanadePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use and Development of a Dwelling in a Farming Zone22-30 Moreland RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Dwelling in a Bushfire Management Overlay8 Bayse StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Dwelling in a Bushfire Management Overlay6 Bayse StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
October 2020
- Create Access to a Road Zone Category 1403 The EsplanadePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use and Development for Racing Dog Husbandry1141-1149 MURRADOC ROAD ST LEONARDS 3223Lapsed
September 2020
- Buildings and Works for the Construction of Two (2) Dwellings and Two (2) Lot Subdivision3 St Leonards ParadePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 2020–2022 · Updated · MapServer through FY 2022–23; newer data needs council/API access
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Corangamite
- Member of Parliament
- Libby COKER (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 114,123
- Turnout (2025)
- 94.7%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +0.2 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 42.0%Labor 58.0%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 15.9 km away).
Coalition 39.5%Labor 60.5%
2.4 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- St LeonardsLabor 60.7% · Coalition 39.3% TPP (2025)3.1 km away
- PortarlingtonLabor 56.3% · Coalition 43.7% TPP (2025)7.2 km away
- DrysdaleLabor 62.8% · Coalition 37.2% TPP (2025)9.6 km away
- QueenscliffLabor 64.0% · Coalition 36.0% TPP (2025)10.1 km away
- Clifton SpringsLabor 59.2% · Coalition 40.8% TPP (2025)11.2 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Greater Geelong Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.