Urban Centre · Area profile
Leonora
4 km²
A strong full-time employment rate of 79.2% marks Leonora as a hub of steady work. This community has seen a significant population drop of 35% since 2011, yet those who remain are often earning more, with typical personal incomes rising sharply over the last decade. It is a place of contrasts, where a high proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live alongside a growing number of overseas arrivals. This shifting mix of people creates a small, working town with a unique social fabric in the heart of Western Australia.
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The population has shrunk to 567 people, with a much higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents (19.6%) than the state average. The community has grown younger, as the typical age fell to 39 and the share of seniors dropped by nearly 10 points since 2011.
People born overseas make up 17.8% of the population, a figure that has risen since 2011. While most residents are Australian or English, there is a notable presence of people from New Zealand and the Philippines.
Language diversity has increased quickly, with those using another language at home rising from 3.8% in 2011 to 17.3% in 2021. English remains the dominant language for 63.7% of the community.
About 43% of residents report no religion, which is about the same as the state figure. This is a significant shift from 2011, when the number of people with no religion was only 21.7%.
Educational qualifications are much lower than the national average, with only 8.1% of adults holding a bachelor degree. However, more people have completed Year 12 and earned degrees since 2011.
Typical personal weekly income is $914, which is slightly above the national figure. While many earn well, the typical household income of $1,442 remains well below the state and national averages.
Residents report fewer health struggles than most areas, with only 22.2% having a long-term health condition. The number of people needing help with daily activities also fell since 2011.
Community participation has declined, with volunteering falling by 16 points since 2011. The number of people providing unpaid care or doing housework is also well below the national average.
Living arrangements are quite varied, as 38.2% of people live alone and one-parent families are far more common (25.6%) than in the rest of the state.
Renters are far more common here than across Australia, making up 41.2% of households. Typical weekly rent is $167, which is far lower than the national figure of $375.
Transport is largely car-dependent, yet 17.8% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is far above the state average. Interestingly, 21.3% of people walk to work.
The area is becoming more international, with recent arrivals from overseas making up 15.8% of the population. This is well above the state average and has risen since 2011.
Full-time work is very common here, with 79.2% of the workforce employed full-time. Many residents work in mining (22.1%) or public administration and safety (15.8%).
Most homes are within a short walk of parks, schools, and groceries, though health services are far less accessible. Overall, the area remains mostly car-dependent.