Suburb Profile

The Forum, Leichhardt

Leichhardt 2040

In Sydney's Colonial days, the area later to be called Leichhardt after the explorer, was dense bush. Balmain Road, which still today runs off busy Parramatta Road was a 'rough track leading to nowhere in particular".

The Bald Faced Stag hotel in Parramatta Road, arguably the longest continuous licensed pub in the Commonwealth, has changed appearance many times from its original single storey timber construction.

By 1871 when Leichhardt Public School opened its doors, the population numbered only 600, compared to 6,000 in both Balmain and Glebe.

Over the years, Leichhardt became the vibrant cosmopolitan community it is today, described as "little Italy with a dash of Irish blarney". Today, 7% of its residents speak Italian at home.

There's a cluster of heritage buildings such as the Town Hall, Court House and the public school. The Pioneer Memorial Park on Norton Street with its distinctive rotunda and olive groves were built on the site of the former Balmain cemetery.

Norton Street has become renowned for its outdoor restaurants and cafes, book shops, Movie complex and the newish Forum Plaza, providing quiet open space surrounded by shops and eateries.

Architecture throughout Leichhardt is predominantly Californian bungalows built in the early 20th century, and there are also rows of Victorian terraces and semi detached buildings.

The Italian influence can be seen in the addition of decorative columns, exterior paint work, and fencing.

There's a senior Catholic College, pre schools and public schools; several smaller parks and the Hawthorn Canal reserve which links the Bay run and provides waterfront access for many kilometres.

A number of sporting clubs include rowing and it is very close to the Lilyfield Aquatic Centre. Transport is by RTA bus and close proximity to the light rail.

In the 2006 Census there were 12,248 people living in Leichhardt. 47.1% male and 52.9% female.

81.9% Australian citizens and 28% born overseas.

14.3% are children, 19.5% over the age of 55 and the median age is 35 years.

69.7% are fully employed, 67.7% professional, managers and administrators. 17.1% are technicians or in trade and sales.

The 2006 Census listed property types in Leichhardt as 41.7% separate houses, 35.9% semi detached, row or terrace, and 21.6% flats or units.

The median house price for Leichhardt in 2008 is $665,000. The median unit price is $418,000.

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