suburb.guide

NSW · Byron Council

Byron Bay, 2481

Current weather

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80% humidity · 11.2 km/h wind · 21° / 17.3° today · 0 mm rain

Updated

Desirability score

62.5/100
Good

Top 11% of New South Wales' suburbs

89% data confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Coastal
  • Café precinct
  • Green suburb
  • High desirability
  • National parks
What Byron Bay is known for: Coastal, Café precinct, Green suburb, High desirability, National parks

Suburb profile

Life in Byron Bay revolves around the coast, with the feel of a mid-sized suburb that never strays far from the water. Coastal living here comes with genuine distance from the capital, a self-contained pace with the sea at its heart. Salt air and open horizons give the suburb a relaxed, outdoor feel year-round.

Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with family life visible on every street. Coffee, casual meals and neighbourhood eateries give the suburb a lived-in social scene. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.

Public transport is a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers.

On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by growth momentum and parks and green space, while housing affordability and safety sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar coastal suburbs.

Population

Population
6,330
Median age
39
Median household income / week
$1,561
Dwelling vacancy
29.9%
Unoccupied private dwellings
1,006 of 3,370
Median monthly mortgage
$2,167
Employment rate
56.3%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
134 / 583 / 299

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)
$785
Houses (January to March 2026)
$1,200
All types (January to March 2026)
$990
Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
127

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

Crime & safety

Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
797
Against the person
167
Against property
366
Rate per 1,000 residents
125.9
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 38 residents
State safety percentile
85.4th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-6.2%

Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • Breach Bail Conditions114
  • Fraud133
  • Malicious Damage To Property147
  • Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault159
  • Other Theft152

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
5
Median school ICSEA (5 schools)
1,094
  • Byron Bay High SchoolSecondary
  • Byron Bay Public SchoolPrimary
  • Byron Community Primary SchoolPrimary
  • Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner SchoolCombined
  • St Finbarr's Primary SchoolPrimary

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

119 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Bangalow Rd After Broken Head Rd
  • Broken Head Rd Opp Byron Holiday Park
  • Byron Bay Visitor Centre, Jonson St
  • Discovery Holiday Park, Sunrise Bvd
  • Skinners Shoot Rd Opp Arts Factory Lodge

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)

Roadworks & transport

2 active roadworks / incidents

  • Allow extra travel time. Follow directions on site. Check signage. The elevated platform/walkway between Mildenhall road and Brooke Drive will be demolished and replaced using FRP frame and timber decking. Traffic management controls will be in place whilst works are underway. The ocean-side lane will be closed for vehicles but used for pedestrians. The inland lane will be open to traffic in a contraflow arrangement.For more information, please contact the NSW National Parks and Wildlife ServiceLighthouse Road, Brooke Drive29 Apr 2026 – 31 Jul 2026
  • Avoid the area. Check signage. Use an alternative route. The footbridge at Tallow Creek, Suffolk Park is temporarily closed due to safety concerns. The bridge was built in 1987 and unfortunately is no longer safe to use due to termite infestation and structural issues.Council is undergoing geotechnical investigation on the bridge to design a replacement but need funding to build a new bridge. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Broken Head Road18 Aug 2025 – 26 Nov 2026

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported

Planning & development

Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).

1,083 planning-related records

2026· 40 proposals

  • June 2026

  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    41 COWPER STREET BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment
  • Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure
    28 KINGSLEY STREET BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment
  • Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Dual occupancy (detached)
    8 MILTON STREET BYRON BAY 2481Additional Information Requested
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    15 BEACHCOMBER DRIVE BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation
    12 MARVELL STREET BYRON BAY 2481Additional Information Requested
  • Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation
    21 MIDDLETON STREET BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment
  • Subdivision
    342 EWINGSDALE ROAD BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment
  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    51 BROWNELL DRIVE BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment
  • Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Retail Premise
    21-25 FLETCHER STREET BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment
  • Demolition; Shop top housing; Commercial development; Erection of a new structure; Retail Premise; Residential Accommodation
    9 MARVELL STREET BYRON BAY 2481Additional Information Requested
  • Restricted premise; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Light industry
    3 74 CENTENNIAL CIRCUIT BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment
  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    33 BEACHCOMBER DRIVE BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment
  • Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Retail Premise; Shop
    116 JONSON STREET BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    12 JULIAN PLACE BYRON BAY 2481Additional Information Requested
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    10 CUMBEBIN PARK BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment
  • Pub; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    61 BAYSHORE DRIVE BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment
  • Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    11 TALLOWOOD CRESCENT BYRON BAY 2481Additional Information Requested
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    16 CHILDE STREET BYRON BAY 2481Additional Information Requested
  • 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 premise
    4 BAY LANE BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment

  • May 2026

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    162 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD BYRON BAY 2481Additional Information Requested
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached)
    56 SHIRLEY LANE BYRON BAY 2481Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Early Education and Care Facility; School
    47-53 TENNYSON STREET BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment
  • Erection of a new structure; Light industry; Creative industry
    17 GREVILLEA STREET BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    13 AUTUMN COURT BYRON BAY 2481Determined
  • Industrial development; Erection of a new structure
    6 BORONIA PLACE BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment
  • Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Dual occupancy (detached)
    69 LILLI PILLI DRIVE BYRON BAY 2481Additional Information Requested
  • Commercial development; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia
    119 JONSON STREET BYRON BAY 2481Additional Information Requested
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    49 PATERSON STREET BYRON BAY 2481Additional Information Requested
  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    154 OLD BANGALOW ROAD BYRON BAY 2481Additional Information Requested
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    10 BORDER STREET BYRON BAY 2481Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    15 AUTUMN COURT BYRON BAY 2481Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    9/-/1324598Determined
  • Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure
    80/__/DP271266Under Assessment
  • Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Light industry; Artisan food and drink industry
    17 BANKSIA DRIVE BYRON BAY 2481Additional Information Requested
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    6 COACHWOOD CLOSE BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment

  • April 2026

  • Advertising and signage; Service station
    BAYSHORE DRIVE BYRON BAY 2481Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Kiosk
    399 Ewingsdale Road BYRON BAYDetermined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    7 146 OLD BANGALOW ROAD BYRON BAY 2481Determined
  • Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)
    110 JONSON STREET BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment
  • Demolition; Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space
    44 LAWSON STREET BYRON BAY 2481Under Assessment

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

254 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Alcohol
  • Cellarbrations at Byron BayAlcohol

    1 Bay Street

  • The Cellar Byron BayAlcohol

    4 Lawson Street, Byron Bay

  • The Cellar Byron PlazaAlcohol

    Unit 2 90 Jonson Street

  • The Cork ShopBag

    Unit 5A 13 Lawson Street

  • Byron Bay BakeryBakery
  • Hot Bread KitchenBakery
  • ANZBank
  • BOQBank
  • Commonwealth BankBank

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

10 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Apex ParkPark
  • Byron Bay WetlandsNature reserve
  • Clarkes Beach ParkPark
  • Dening ParkPark
  • Jarjumirr ParkPark
  • McKellar Court ParkPark
  • Paterson Street Hilltop ReservePark
  • Railway ParkPark
  • Red Devil ParkPark
  • Sunrise ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
12
Emergency department
Not in suburb
  • 4Cyte Pathologysample_collection
  • Bytes of Byron Dentaldentist
  • Cape Byron Medical CenterMarvell Streetdoctor
  • Carlysle Street Medical CentreCarlyle Streetclinic
  • Discount Chemist Byron Baypharmacy
  • Infinity Pharmacy Byron Westpharmacy
  • North Coast RadiologyBayshore Drivedoctor
  • Pharmacypharmacy
  • Priceline Pharmacypharmacy
  • Quantum UpliftCentennial Circuitwellness

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
8/10
IRSD decile (2021)
6/10

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

Heritage

2 state heritage places

  • Byron Bay Railway Station and yard groupCasino-Murwillumbah railwaySHR
  • Cape Byron Lightstation (including moveable items)Lighthouse Road, Byron BaySHR

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site

Childcare

1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap

  • Sandhills Early Learning Centrechildcare

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site

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)
37
Parks (OSM)
9

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
62.5/100 — Good
State standing
Top 11% of New South Wales' suburbs
National rank
635th in Australia
State rank
235th in NSW
Peer rank
#18 among Coastal & beach · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#33 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
89%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • ALDIamenitiessupermarket
  • ANZamenitiesbank
  • Abra Kebabraamenitiesfast_food
  • Alcoholamenitiesalcohol
  • Aldiamenitiesparking
  • Ananta Yogaamenitiesfitness_centre
  • Arts Factory Courtesy Night Bus Pick-up Pointamenitiesbus_stop
  • Asia Joe'samenitiescafe
  • Australia Postamenitiespost_box
  • BOQamenitiesbank

Data sources & freshness

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.