Median house price
—
No data available
NSW · Richmond Valley Council
Evans Head, 2473
Est. population · Jun 2025
3,223
Growth (1 yr)
+2.2%
Growth (5 yr)
+8.9%
Median age
52
Median income
$1,086/wk
Employment rate
44.3%
Languages at home
2.8%non-English
Most common: Cantonese, Afrikaans, Australian Indigenous languages
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Education hub
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Evans Head sits in Richmond Valley Council as a regional mid-sized suburb that feels self-contained and a long way from big-city bustle. Day-to-day life leans on nearby towns and local hubs rather than the metro area. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood.
Local eateries and coffee spots give the area a friendly, everyday social rhythm. Green space punches above what many regional towns offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus, with buses linking the suburb to surrounding areas.
Homes are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower. Steady development is bringing new homes and gradual renewal to parts of the suburb.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer community and employment, plus schools and education compared with similar regional towns, though growth momentum remain brighter spots.
At a glance
Evans Head snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$535/wk
Population (ERP)
3,223
+2.2% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
18.2%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#81
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
40th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
89th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
27th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 45.5/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 40% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2829th in Australia
- State rank
- 859th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #81 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #198 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 78%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $600
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 and sales tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · January to March 2026 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
3,223(June 2025)
+2.2% annual · +8.9% over 5 years · 89th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +2.2%
- 5-year growth
- +8.9%
- Change in 1 year
- +70
- Change in 5 years
- +263
- Growth rank in NSW
- 89th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~3,400), extrapolated at +1.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 2,907
- Median age
- 52
- Median household income / week
- $1,086
- Dwelling vacancy
- 18.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 280 of 1,536
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,642
- Employment rate
- 44.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 686 / 428 / 90 (+ 50 other)
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 · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 188
- Against the person
- 60
- Against property
- 73
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 58.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 48 residents
- State safety percentile
- 39.5th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -9.8%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order18
- Domestic Violence Related Assault17
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment19
- Malicious Damage To Property31
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault17
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 · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Rolling 12-month windows
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 955
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 27th
School list
- Evans River Community SchoolCombined · Government · ICSEA 955 · 27th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 531 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 0.3 km awayView on My School →
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 · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Public transport
148 public transport stops in this suburb
- Bottlebrush Cres At Acacia St
- Carrabeen St After Woodburn St
- Currajong St At Cassia St
- Flame St At Pine Lane
- Woodburn St At Elm 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 · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
71 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
2 restaurants · 1 cafes · 2 supermarkets · 1 fast food · 2 bakeries · 1 libraries · 1 places of worship · 3 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus
- Great for outdoor family life — 7 parks mapped in suburb, 3 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 148 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 67/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.34
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 2.06
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 2.41
Food & drink(6)
- The BakeryBakery
12 Oak Street
- Wurlitzer BakeryBakery
37 Woodburn Street
- Johnny's Cafe - RestaurantCafe
- Riverfront KioskFast food
- Evans Head RSL ClubRestaurant
- Illawong pubRestaurant
Shopping(2)
- RitchiesSupermarket
39-41 Woodburn Street
- SparSupermarket
7 Oak Street
Community(2)
- Evans Head Branch LibraryLibrary
- Evans River Community SchoolSchool
Evans Head
Sport & outdoors(10)
- Evans Head Recreation ReservePark
- Park (2)
- Payne OvalPark
- Riverside Memorial ParkPark
- Playground (3)
- Evans Head Aquatic CentreSports centre
- Sports field
Transport(1)
1 bus stops
Other(26)
- Ocean Palms Holiday UnitsApartment
- Bbq
- Bench
- Reflections Evans Head Riverside PrecinctCamp Site
- Reflections Evans Head - Holiday ParkCaravan Park
Park Street, Evans Head
- Drinking water
- Evans Head Fire StationFire station
76 Woodburn Street, Evans Head
- Hotel IllawongHotel
- Evans Head Visitor Information CentreInformation
- Laundry (4)
- Pacific Motor InnMotel
- Parking (13)
- Shark Bay Beach and Recreation AreaParking
- LibertyPetrol station
- Picnic Table (4)
- Evans Head Presbyterian ChurchPlace of worship
- Evans Head Police StationPolice
- Evans Head Post OfficePost office
- Public toilets
- Recycling (2)
- Sanitary Dump Station (3)
- Evans Head Fishermans Co-opSeafood
- Shelter
- Shower (3)
- Slipway
- Waste Basket (2)
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
4 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Dirrawong ReservePark
- Evans Head Recreation ReservePark
- Payne OvalPark
- Riverside Memorial ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 7
- Parks (OSM)
- 7
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 — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Evans Head Presbyterian Church
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Ballina District Hospital (31.0 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 99
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 30.7
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 28° / 19°
- Rainfall
- 569 mm · ~71 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 612 mm · ~76 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 20° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 289 mm · ~36 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 300 mm · ~38 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal.
2026· 24 proposals
August 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Storage premises; Self storage units760 WOODBURN EVANS HEAD ROAD EVANS HEAD 2473Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure16 WIRRAWAY AVENUE EVANS HEAD 2473Under Assessment
- Subdivision; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Dual occupancy (detached)40 ASH STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Under Assessment
July 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport1 CORAL STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool23 TERRACE STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)41 CYPRESS STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure23 WATTLE STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure27 OCEAN DRIVE EVANS HEAD 2473Under Assessment
- Shed; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure17 WIRRAWAY AVENUE EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home36 WOODBURN STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision51 WOODBURN STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space108 WOODBURN STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Minor building alterations (internal)4 SEAMIST LANE EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool57 BANKSIA STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development43 TERRACE STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
April 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure63 BEECH STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
March 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation1 1 FERN PLACE EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure41 CYPRESS STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
February 2026
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure1 8 Elm Street Evans Head 2473Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure16 WIRRAWAY AVENUE EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
January 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport80 CURRAJONG STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Light industry; Artisan food and drink industry1-3 WINJEEL ROAD EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 CATALINA CRESCENT EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation40-42 OCEAN DRIVE EVANS HEAD 2473Deferred Commencement
2025· 25 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure37 Park Street, Evans Head. NSW 2473Determined
- Recreation facility (indoor); Hours of operation and trading1 8 OAK STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Demolition; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah16 CARRABEEN STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure18 BOTTLEBRUSH CRESCENT EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure63 BEECH STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
November 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space14 MANGROVE STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)14 RIVERVIEW STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation3 51 CASSIA STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation62 WOODBURN STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
October 2025
- 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; Specialised Retail Premises22 WOODBURN STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
September 2025
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Swimming pool81 BEECH STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
August 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation3 51 CASSIA STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport11 BOTTLEBRUSH CRESCENT EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
July 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Carport14 BANKSIA STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Commercial development; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia33 WOODBURN STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation3 51 CASSIA STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space43 CASSIA STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)23 RIVERVIEW STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure127 OCEAN DRIVE EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure17 WIRRAWAY AVENUE EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
June 2025
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)16 SEAMIST LANE EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure37 PACIFIC CRESCENT EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Landscaping structures89 OCEAN DRIVE EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
May 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool89 OCEAN DRIVE EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 MANGROVE STREET EVANS HEAD 2473Determined
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 · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Heritage
1 heritage place
- Evans Head Memorial AerodromeMemorial Airport Drive, Evans HeadSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
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 · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Page
- Member of Parliament
- Kevin HOGAN (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 129,373
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.8%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +1.4 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 59.3%Labor 40.7%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 27.1 km away).
Coalition 61.8%Labor 38.2%
2.5 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +0.4 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Evans HeadLabor 38.1% · Coalition 61.9% TPP (2025)0.7 km away
- WoodburnLabor 43.0% · Coalition 57.0% TPP (2025)9.0 km away
- BroadwaterLabor 37.8% · Coalition 62.2% TPP (2025)11.3 km away
- WardellLabor 44.1% · Coalition 55.9% TPP (2025)18.6 km away
- CorakiLabor 39.0% · Coalition 61.0% TPP (2025)18.9 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
More in Richmond Valley Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.