Median house price
$730k
+11% change
NSW · Lismore Council
Goonellabah, 2480
Est. population · Jun 2025
14,029
Growth (1 yr)
+1.0%
Growth (5 yr)
+4.5%
Median age
41
Median income
$1,318/wk
Employment rate
54.5%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$730,000
Languages at home
6.5%non-English
Most common: Punjabi, Italian, Australian Indigenous languages
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- National parks
- Education hub
Suburb profile
Goonellabah sits in Lismore Council as a regional established suburb that feels self-contained and a long way from big-city bustle. Neighbouring centres cover more of the weekly rhythm than the distant capital does. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with family life visible on every street.
Everyday shopping is a local strength, with enough shops and services to cover most weekly needs close to home. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Everyday errands are walkable, and buses keep the wider city within easy reach.
Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers. Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.
Desirability rates good overall, led by growth momentum, while schools and education, plus community and employment land closer to the middle of the pack for similar regional towns.
At a glance
Goonellabah snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$550/wk
Houses $620 · Units $425
Population (ERP)
14,029
+1.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.2%
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
#9
among Country & regional · Established
Safety
74th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
65th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
7th
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
- 65.0/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 7% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 553rd in Australia
- State rank
- 139th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #9 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #19 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
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 house price (October to December 2025)
- $730,000
- Median price change
- +11.4%
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; October to December 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
14,029(June 2025)
+1.0% annual · +4.5% over 5 years · 65th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.0%
- 5-year growth
- +4.5%
- Change in 1 year
- +134
- Change in 5 years
- +605
- Growth rank in NSW
- 65th 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 (~14,400), extrapolated at +0.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 13,351
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $1,318
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 291 of 5,564
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,560
- Employment rate
- 54.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 4,095 / 949 / 219
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)
- 1,428
- Against the person
- 382
- Against property
- 542
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 101.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 35 residents
- State safety percentile
- 74.3th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -7.5%
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 · 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
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 865.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 7th
School list
- Goonellabah Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 847 · 5th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 226 students · Top SEA quarter 5% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- The Rivers Secondary College, Kadina High CampusSecondary · Government · ICSEA 884 · 8th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 262 students · Top SEA quarter 4% · 0.9 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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Jarjumchildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
599 public transport stops in this suburb
- Ballina Rd After McDermott Av
- Goonellabah Coach Stop
- Goonellabah Village, Simeoni Dr
- Rous Rd Before Oliver Av
- Rous Rd Opp North Pl
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
148 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 pubs · 4 supermarkets · 2 pharmacies · 1 fast food · 1 bakeries · 1 libraries · 1 places of worship · 13 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 17 parks mapped in suburb, 13 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 599 public transport stops
- Good everyday shopping nearby — 7 shops and services
- Strong local sport and recreation — 27 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 76/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.22
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.27
Food & drink(3)
- Rous Road BakeryBakery
- McDonald'sFast food
- Goonellabah TavernPub
Shopping(9)
- Goonellabah Quality MeatsButcher
- EG AustraliaConvenience store
- The Smashed AvoGreengrocer
- AldiSupermarket
15 Simeoni Drive
- ColesSupermarket
- IGASupermarket
- WoolworthsSupermarket
Community(6)
- Goonellabah LibraryLibrary
- Goonellabah Public SchoolSchool
- Goonellabah Public SchoolSchool
595 Ballina Road, Goonellabah
- The Rivers Secondary Collage (Kadina Campus)School
Goonellabah
- Lismore City CouncilTownhall
- Lismore City CouncilTownhall
Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah
Health & services(4)
- Goonellabah Medical CentreClinic
616 Ballina Road, Goonellabah
- Goonellabah Dental PracticeDentist
25 Rous Road, Goonellabah
- Discount Drug StoresPharmacy
Unit 1 33-35 Rous Road, Goonellabah
- Goonellabah PharmacyPharmacy
Sport & outdoors(39)
- Holland Park Dog Play AreaDog park
- Goonellabah Sports & Aquatic CentreGym
- Birdwing Butterfly GullyPark
- Bottom OvalPark
- Elders Memorial ParkPark
- Hepburn ParkPark
- Holmes ParkPark
- Kadina ParkPark
- Platypus ParkPark
- Top OvalPark
- Tucki Tucki Creek Recreation ParkPark
- Weston ParkPark
- Winchester ParkPark
- Picnic area
- B Block QuadPlayground
- Canteen QuadPlayground
- CAPA QuadPlayground
- English CourtyardPlayground
- Holmes ParkPlayground
- Kadina ParkPlayground
- Lismore City CouncilPlayground
- MPC QuadPlayground
- Playground (4)
- Staff QuadPlayground
- Bottom Basketball CourtSports field
- Cricket PitchSports field
- Goonellabah Skate ParkSports field
- Hepburn Park Hockey PitchSports field
- Hepburn Park OvalSports field
- Jim Kelly FieldSports field
- Junior Soccer FieldsSports field
- Kadina ParkSports field
- Sports field
- Spring Street Tennis CourtsSports field
- Top Basketball CourtSports field
- Weston ParkSports field
Entertainment(1)
- Rochdale TheatreTheatre
Transport(30)
30 bus stops
Other(32)
- Richard Birdwing Butterfly GullyAttraction
- Bench (15)
- Car wash
- Climbing Web
- Goonellabah Fire Station (316)Fire station
13 Taylor Avenue, Goonellabah
- Fitness Station
- Kadina ParkFitness Station
- Goonellabah Shopping VillageMall
1 Simeoni Drive, Goonellabah
- Mall
2 Simeoni Drive, Goonellabah
- AldiParking
- Goonellabah Football ClubParking
- Goonellabah Medical CentreParking
- Goonellabah Medical Centre Staff OnlyParking
- Goonellabah Sports & Aquatic ClubParking
- Lismore City CouncilParking
- Lismore WorkersParking
- Parking (7)
- Rous Road shopsParking
- EG AmpolPetrol station
2 Simeoni Drive, Goonellabah
- ShellPetrol station
- Goonellabah PhysiotherapyPhysiotherapist
- Place of worship
- Goonellabah Post OfficePost office
- Public toilets
- BBQ AreaShelter
- Bus BayShelter
- Holmes ParkShelter
- Kadina ParkShelter
- Platypus ParkShelter
- Shelter (7)
- Simeoni DriveShelter
- TelstraTelephone
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
16 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Andrews ParkPark
- Birdwing Butterfly GullyPark
- Bottom OvalPark
- Caruana ParkPark
- Elders Memorial ParkPark
- greenhills parkPark
- Hepburn ParkPark
- Holmes ParkPark
- John Brooker ParkPark
- Kadina ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 27
- Parks (OSM)
- 17
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
- Place of worship
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 8
- Nearest hospital
- Lismore Base Hospital (4.1 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Chemist WarehouseBallina RoadPharmacy
- DentistDentist
- Discount Drug StoresRous RoadPharmacy
- Goonellabah Dental PracticeRous RoadDentist
- Goonellabah Medical CentreBallina RoadClinic
- Goonellabah PharmacyPharmacy
- Goonellabah PhysiotherapyPhysiotherapist
- Northcoast RadiologyYes
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)
- 772
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 55.0
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
- 370 mm · ~46 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 15°
- Rainfall
- 330 mm · ~41 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 20° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 140 mm · ~18 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 202 mm · ~25 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· 65 proposals
August 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support10 PINECREST DRIVE GOONELLABAH 2480Under Assessment
July 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation529 BALLINA ROAD GOONELLABAH 2480Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support59 JUST STREET GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Industrial development; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; General industry; Light industry38 CENTENARY DRIVE GOONELLABAH 2480Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Storage premises4 HOLLAND STREET GOONELLABAH 2480Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support37 ACACIA AVENUE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Demolition; Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure5 MCDERMOTT AVENUE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure126 INVERCAULD ROAD GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation35 GREENHILLS DRIVE GOONELLABAH 2480Under Assessment
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure793 BALLINA ROAD GOONELLABAH 2480Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Carport; Supporting Development9 HIGHLAND CRESCENT GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure4 HILLTOP CLOSE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)9 JOHN O'NEILL CIRCUIT GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home5A SPRING AVENUE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure126 INVERCAULD ROAD GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support24 SCHURR DRIVE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support67 HILLCREST AVENUE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support33 ACACIA AVENUE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation36 CALLUNE TERRACE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation20 PINECREST DRIVE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Multi-dwelling housing (terraces)30 HILLTOP CLOSE GOONELLABAH 2480Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure46 JUST STREET GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Manufactured home67 HILLCREST AVENUE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure50 MAHOGANY PARADE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure118 INVERCAULD ROAD GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah7 KINGFISHER PLACE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure19 HIGHFIELD TERRACE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation7 tulipwood ave Goonellabah, NSWDetermined
April 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation29 JOY STREET GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport13 IDA PLACE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool66 JUST STREET GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care13 SIMEONI DRIVE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support35 ACACIA AVENUE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport; Supporting Development5 JOEL PLACE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support5 CAMILLA PLACE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure18 D A OLLEY DRIVE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Demolition2 CAMPBELL CRESCENT GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
March 2026
- Subdivision15 MISTY VALLEY VIEW GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development15 SOMERSET SQUARE GOONELLABAH 2480Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Supporting Development562 BALLINA ROAD GOONELLABAH 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 · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- Check signage. Follow directions on site. Reduced speed limit. <ul><li>Damaged culvert</li><li>Restoration works underway</li><li>Traffic control measures in place</li></ul>Howards Grass Road28 Jul 2026 – 27 Sep 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Heritage
1 heritage place
- Tulloona562 Ballina Road GoonellabahSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
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 · 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 6.7 km away).
Coalition 54.1%Labor 45.9%
5.2 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +0.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Goonellabah SouthLabor 43.3% · Coalition 56.7% TPP (2025)0.8 km away
- GoonellabahLabor 46.5% · Coalition 53.5% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
- Lismore EastLabor 53.5% · Coalition 46.5% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
- Lismore HeightsLabor 57.8% · Coalition 42.2% TPP (2025)3.1 km away
- LismoreLabor 62.3% · Coalition 37.7% TPP (2025)3.3 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
This suburb ranks highly for
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.