Leopoldstadt (2nd district)

Leopoldstadt lies between the Danube Canal (Donaukanal) and the Danube, directly across the canal from the city centre. It was founded as a district in 1850 and is named after Emperor Leopold I. According to the City of Vienna's statistics office, it had 110,100 residents on 1 January 2024, about 5.5% of Vienna's population, on 19.2 km², a density of 5,722 people per km² (Vienna: 4,656). Its population grew by 10.5% between 2014 and 2024.

Well-known neighbourhoods (Grätzl) include the Karmeliterviertel, the Stuwerviertel, the Nordbahnviertel, the Alliiertenviertel and Pratercottage.

• History: from the 17th century onwards Leopoldstadt was a centre of Jewish life in Vienna, nicknamed the Mazzesinsel; the Nazi era destroyed much of that community, which has been growing again in recent decades.
• Green space: 60% of the district's area is green space and water (2024), largely thanks to the Prater with its Ferris wheel and long avenues, and the baroque Augarten.
• New quarters: the city development area at the former Nordbahnhof and along the U2 line has added new housing, and the WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business) campus lies on the former trade-fair grounds.
• Markets: the Karmelitermarkt, the Volkertmarkt and the Vorgartenmarkt are the district's permanent food markets.
• Population: 62% of residents were Austrian citizens, 16% EU citizens and 22% other nationals on 1 January 2024 (Vienna: 65/15/21); the average age was 40 (Vienna: 41).

• U-Bahn: U1 (Nestroyplatz, Praterstern, Vorgartenstraße) and U2 (Taborstraße, Praterstern, Messe-Prater, Krieau, Stadion, Donaumarina; Schottenring on the border with the 1st district).
• S-Bahn and regional trains at Praterstern, the district's main hub.
• Trams, including line 5, which has served the district since the 19th century.

Check the WienMobil app for current routes.

Leopoldstadt has a broad mix of building ages. In the 2021 census, residents lived 24% in municipal or other public housing (Gemeindebau), 44% in privately financed rentals, 11% in cooperative flats and 13% in owner-occupied homes. The city counted about 1,690 buildings from before 1919 and 1,962 built between 1981 and 2021.

There is no official rent figure for the district. Check which part of the Tenancy Act applies to a flat (older buildings are often fully covered and have capped rents) and read our tenant rights guide before you sign.

The Prater and the Augarten offer large green spaces, and the city counts 44 parks in the district. Children under 15 numbered 15,503 on 1 January 2024. Kindergarten places are allocated through the city's central registration; see our family guide.