NSW · Lismore Council
McLeans Ridges, 2480
Current weather
17.9°COvercast
84% humidity · 9.1 km/h wind · 21.6° / 13.7° today · 0.5 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Green suburb
Suburb profile
McLeans Ridges is a hillside smaller community in Lismore, with elevated streets and a greener, quieter pace. Life revolves around the local community, with the wider region offering trips and services when needed. Elevated streets and bushland backdrops bring a sense of fresh country air to daily life.
Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name. Public transport is a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods.
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 around average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities against similar regional towns, even with housing affordability and community and employment holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 808
- Median age
- 45
- Median household income / week
- $2,305
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 12 of 285
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 63.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 18 / 4 / 0
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)
- $425
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $620
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $550
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 252
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)
- 81
- Against the person
- 22
- Against property
- 31
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 100.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 37 residents
- State safety percentile
- 70.4th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -7.7%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions513
- Fraud284
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment361
- Malicious Damage To Property360
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault312
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
Public transport
61 public transport stops in this suburb
- 168 McLeans Ridges Rd
- Cowlong Rd At Batrel Rd
- Cowlong Rd Opp 355
- Cowlong Rd Opp Roseview Rd
- Humpty Back Rd At Cowlong Rd
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).
84 planning-related records
2026· 8 proposals
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure64 CAMERON ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure127 CAMERON ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool5 TALBOT CLOSE MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
March 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Tennis courts186 CAMERON ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool26 BATREL ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 SPURFIELD ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure311 COWLONG ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure94 CAMERON ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
2025· 12 proposals
November 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)10A Spurfield Road Mcleans Ridges 2480Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 SPURFIELD ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure94 CAMERON ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Withdrawn
August 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space258 CAMERON ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure10A Spurfield Road Mcleans Ridges 2480Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Rainwater tanks; Swimming pool177 HUMPTY BACK ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
May 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool27 PARADISE COURT MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
March 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Garage, carport or carparking space; Swimming pool26 SPURFIELD ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation14 ROSEVIEW ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
- Subdivision2 ROSEVIEW ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool234 COWLONG ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
January 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure3 ELEANOR PLACE MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
2024· 14 proposals
December 2024
- Demolition28 SPURFIELD ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Withdrawn
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Residential Accommodation54 SATINWOOD DRIVE MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation178 CAMERON ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
September 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure131 COWLONG ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
August 2024
- Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Dual occupancy (attached); Carport; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development516 COWLONG ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure16 SPURFIELD ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
June 2024
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)28 SPURFIELD ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)17 CARABEEN PLACE MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
May 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool122 CAMERON ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool47 PALMERS ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
April 2024
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development130 SPURFIELD ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
March 2024
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Carport279 COWLONG ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Withdrawn
February 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool146 CAMERON ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
- Subdivision26 SPURFIELD ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
2023· 6 proposals
November 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation27 SPURFIELD ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool115 CAMERON ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
October 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure24 SPURFIELD ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
September 2023
- Shed; Erection of a new structure146 CAMERON ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
August 2023
- Dual occupancy; Pools / decks / fencing; Earthworks / change in levels15 ROSEVIEW ROAD MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
June 2023
- Shed43 LINCOLN AVENUE MCLEANS RIDGES 2480Determined
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
3 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- McCleans Ridges Public HallCommunity centre
- Farm
- Pearce's NurseriesGarden Centre
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
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 9/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
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
- No overlay at centroid
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
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 50.3/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 29% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1891st in Australia
- State rank
- 609th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #42 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #121 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 60%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Farmamenitiesfarm
- McCleans Ridges Public Hallamenitiescommunity_centre
- Pearce's Nurseriesamenitiesgarden_centre
- Breach Bail Conditionscrime513
- Fraudcrime284
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime361
- Malicious Damage To Propertycrime360
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime312
- 168 McLeans Ridges Rdtransport
- Cowlong Rd At Batrel Rdtransport
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Lismore Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.