NSW · Ballina Council
Skennars Head, 2478
Current weather
18.5°COvercast
86% humidity · 6.2 km/h wind · 21.1° / 15.2° today · 0.1 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Skennars Head wears its coastal identity openly, a smaller community built around sand, sea and an easy outdoor rhythm. Coastal living here comes with genuine distance from the capital, a self-contained pace with the sea at its heart. There is a lightness to the air here, with the coast never far from mind.
Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with family life visible on every street. Pocket parks and green corners give residents room to get outside without leaving the neighbourhood. Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible.
Property is in demand, reflecting the appeal of living in a place people actively choose. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities and safety lag similar coastal suburbs, despite relative strength in housing affordability and schools and education. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 1,303
- Median age
- 47
- Median household income / week
- $1,674
- Dwelling vacancy
- 3.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 20 of 531
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,297
- Employment rate
- 60.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 40 / 49 / 3
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)
- $595
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $850
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $755
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 236
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)
- 122
- Against the person
- 23
- Against property
- 65
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 93.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 57 residents
- State safety percentile
- 65.7th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +13.3%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions342
- Fraud335
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment155
- Malicious Damage To Property240
- Steal From Retail Store305
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
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 1,091.5
- Holy Family Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary
- Xavier Catholic College BallinaSecondary
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
37 public transport stops in this suburb
- Headlands Dr Before Skennars Head Rd
- Killarney Cres Before Headlands Dr
- The Coast Rd After Headlands Dr
- The Coast Rd At Flat Rock Rd
- Waterford Pde After Smith St
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).
186 planning-related records
2026· 7 proposals
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space68 KILLARNEY CRESCENT SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation14 SEASIDE AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Under Assessment
February 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool14 SEASIDE AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
- Seniors housing; Independent living units; Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia67 SKENNARS HEAD ROAD SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Fences; Swimming pool5 COVE AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space; Letterboxes; Pathways and paving; Residential Accommodation162/-/DP1261459Under Assessment
January 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Supporting Development12 DUNE AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
2025· 21 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation35 CARROLL AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation85 SKENNARS HEAD ROAD SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool4 SEASIDE AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
November 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation54 KILLARNEY CRESCENT SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support9 DUNE AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Fences; Swimming pool5 COVE AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Withdrawn
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Fences; Swimming pool; Supporting Development16 WAVE BREAK CIRCUIT SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
August 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Caravan park35 SKENNARS HEAD ROAD SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support23 COVE AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah6 CARROLL AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation6 SMITH STREET SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool3 WATERFORD PARADE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 REDFORD DRIVE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
May 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Fences; Swimming pool5 COVE AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool1 DUNE AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Swimming pool21 COVE AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support265 HUTLEY DRIVE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool19 COVE AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
- Shop top housing; Commercial development; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Retail Premise; Residential Accommodation21 AUREUS BOULEVARD SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
February 2025
- Demolition; Seniors housing; Erection of a new structure67 SKENNARS HEAD ROAD SKENNARS HEAD 2478Withdrawn
January 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure39 CARROLL AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Withdrawn
2024· 12 proposals
December 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure67 CARROLL AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space; Letterboxes; Pathways and paving162/-/DP1261459Determined
November 2024
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure25 SWELL AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
- Office Premise; Erection of a new structureAUREUS BOULEVARD SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool67 CARROLL AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure60 KILLARNEY CRESCENT SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool1 34 REDFORD DRIVE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Fences; Swimming pool24 WAVE BREAK CIRCUIT SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
September 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool33 CARROLL AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure18 SUNHAVEN AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
August 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support22 SUNHAVEN AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Fences; Swimming pool65 CARROLL AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Determined
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
24 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Headlands Dr at Redford DrBus stop
- Headlands Dr before Killarney CresBus stop
- Headlands Dr opp Redford DrBus stop
- Skennars Head Rd opp Henderson DrBus stop
- The Coast Rd after Headlands DrBus stop
- The Coast Rd at Flat Rock RdBus stop
- The Coast Road opp Flat Rock RdBus stop
- Waterford Pde after Smith StBus stop
- Waterford Pde before Smith StBus stop
- Parking
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)
- 8/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 8/10
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)
- 6
- 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
- 43.6/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 43% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2833rd in Australia
- State rank
- 906th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #37 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #95 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
- Headlands Dr at Redford Dramenitiesbus_stop
- Headlands Dr before Killarney Cresamenitiesbus_stop
- Headlands Dr opp Redford Dramenitiesbus_stop
- Parkingamenitiesparking
- Playgroundamenitiesplayground
- Skennars Head Rd opp Henderson Dramenitiesbus_stop
- Sports fieldamenitiespitch
- Swimming poolamenitiesswimming_pool
- Swimming poolamenitiesswimming_pool
- Swimming poolamenitiesswimming_pool
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Ballina Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.