NSW · Byron Council
Brunswick Heads, 2483
Current weather
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Updated
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Life in Brunswick Heads revolves around the coast, with the feel of a smaller community that never strays far from the water. Set on the coast at a distance from the capital, it trades city proximity for a slower, beach-led rhythm. Sea breezes and coastal air are part of everyday life, especially on warmer evenings.
Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Buses and nearby services make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward. Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment.
Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
The desirability score is below average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and transport and access against similar coastal suburbs, even with growth momentum holding up better.
Population
- Population
- 1,905
- Median age
- 47
- Median household income / week
- $1,280
- Dwelling vacancy
- 17.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 170 of 979
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,001
- Employment rate
- 52.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 69 / 49 / 152
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 · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $620
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $925
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $850
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 81
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 117
- Against the person
- 33
- Against property
- 53
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 61.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 58 residents
- State safety percentile
- 39.3th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -1.4%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order50
- Domestic Violence Related Assault50
- Fraud47
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment68
- Malicious Damage To Property77
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,025
- Brunswick Heads Public SchoolPrimary
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 · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
26 public transport stops in this suburb
- Brunswick Heads Public School, Park St
- Gulgan Rd At Mullumbimby Rd
- Park St After Balun Lane
- Tweed St At Bayside Way
- Tweed St Opp Bayside Estate
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
210 planning-related records
2026· 12 proposals
June 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool38 BOOYUN STREET BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Additional Information Requested
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Rainwater tanks150 TANDYS LANE BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation55 FINGAL STREET BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation44 MULLUMBIMBI STREET BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Driveways and hard stand spaces; Residential Accommodation29 TWEED STREET BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Fences; Swimming pool26 PANDANUS COURT BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure80 HARBOUR WAY BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Under Assessment
March 2026
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)16 SHORT STREET BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure24-34 BAYSIDE WAY BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure30 SOUTH BEACH ROAD BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
January 2026
- Subdivision35 BAYSIDE WAY BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
- Subdivision35 BAYSIDE WAY BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
2025· 28 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure36A BOOYUN STREET BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool62 MULLUMBIMBI STREET BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
- Restaurant or cafe; Commercial development; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Retail Premise; Food and drink premise30 FINGAL STREET BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation46 MULLUMBIMBI STREET BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
November 2025
- Demolition; Shop top housing; Restaurant or cafe; Business premises; Commercial development; Office Premise; Erection of a new structure; Car park; Retail Premise; Food and drink premise; Shop; Neighbourhood shop; Residential Accommodation3-5 Fingal Street, Brunswick HeadsUnder Assessment
- Outdoor dining - general; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor); Food and drink premise38 TWEED STREET BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation54 MULLUMBIMBI STREET BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
October 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)4 OCEAN WAY BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
- Subdivision66 THE SADDLE ROAD BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Deferred Commencement
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool72 TANDYS LANE BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Deferred Commencement
August 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Animal boarding or training establishment65 Hyrama Crescent Brunswick Heads, Lot 341 DP1177Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Group home66 THE SADDLE ROAD BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation16 SOUTH BEACH ROAD BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure5 BOOYUN STREET BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure26 HYRAMA CRESCENT BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Navigation and emergency response facility; Other Infrastructure43 HARBOUR WAY BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Driveways and hard stand spaces; Residential Accommodation29 TWEED STREET BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure187 THE SADDLE ROAD BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
June 2025
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)16 SHORT STREET BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
May 2025
- Subdivision66 THE SADDLE ROAD BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation18 FAWCETT STREET BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation facility (indoor)14-16 TEVEN STREET BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
- Pub; Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Retail Premise; Food and drink premise2-4 MULLUMBIMBI STREET BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool8 NEWBERRY PARADE BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool18 OMEGA CIRCUIT BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
March 2025
- Outdoor dining - general; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor); Food and drink premise38 TWEED STREET BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)5 AURANA PLACE BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation187 THE SADDLE ROAD BRUNSWICK HEADS 2483Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
16 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Brunswick Heads Bowling Club, Tweed StBus stop
- Tweed St at Bayside Way,Bus stop
- Tweed St at Short StBus stop
- Tweed St at The TerraceBus stop
- Tweed St opp Bayside EstateBus stop
- Tweed St opp Eucalyptus LaneBus stop
- Drinking FountainDrinking water
- Parking
- Pilgrim Memorial ParkParking
- Petrol station
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
3 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Banner ParkPark
- Tom Kendall ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 5/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 3
- Parks (OSM)
- 3
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 features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 39.2/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 3630th in Australia
- State rank
- 1136th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #50 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #117 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 78%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Alby Lofts Ovalamenitiespitch
- Brunswick Heads Bowling Club, Tweed Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Brunswick Village Greensamenitiessupermarket
- Drinking Fountainamenitiesdrinking_water
- Parkingamenitiesparking
- Petrol stationamenitiesfuel
- Pilgrim Memorial Parkamenitiesparking
- Public toiletsamenitiestoilets
- Sports fieldamenitiespitch
- Stan Thompson Ovalamenitiespitch
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Byron Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.