NSW · Ballina Council
Lennox Head, NSW, 2478
Desirability index
92.5/100
How this score is calculated#31 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Suburb snapshot
Lennox Head is a smaller suburban community in the Ballina area, home to around 7,687 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 3,008 offences in Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 with rising year-on-year trends (+13%), roughly 391.3 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $755 (flats $595, houses $850), 1 school and preschool site in the area, strong public transport coverage with many public transport stops, a higher concentration of local shops, services, and recreation amenities, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb and hospitals or GP clinics within the suburb.
Population
- Population
- 7,687
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $2,081
- Dwelling vacancy
- 9.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 294 of 3,034
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,192
- Employment rate
- 64.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 206 / 586 / 119
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.
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)
- 3,008
- Against the person
- 572
- Against property
- 1,610
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 391.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 13 residents
- State safety percentile
- 22.1th (lower crime is better)
- Year-on-year change
- +12.7%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions342
- Fraud335
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment155
- Malicious Damage To Property240
- Steal From Retail Store305
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
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,064
- Lennox Head Public SchoolPrimary
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
96 public transport stops in this suburb
- Gibbon St Before Ian Av
- Lennox Head Holiday Park, Ross St
- North Creek Rd After Blue Seas Pde
- North Creek Rd Before Amber Dr
- North Creek Rd Opp Montwood Dr
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
587 planning-related records
2026· 47 proposals
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 LAKEFIELD AVENUE LENNOX HEAD 2478Under Assessment
- Commercial development; Erection of a new structure5 SNAPPER DRIVE LENNOX HEAD 2478Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support21A SUNRAY CRESCENT LENNOX HEAD 2478Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Swimming pool31 DAINTREE DRIVE LENNOX HEAD 2478Under Assessment
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Swimming pool; Supporting Development1/75 Daintree Drive Lennox Head NSW 2478Under Assessment
- Subdivision8 BYRON BAY ROAD LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Swimming pool23 STONEYHURST DRIVE LENNOX HEAD 2478Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Fences42 SALT AIR CIRCUIT LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
May 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure21 SUNRISE CRESCENT LENNOX HEAD 2478Under Assessment
- Subdivision78 HUTLEY DRIVE LENNOX HEAD 2478Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences3 STONEHENGE PLACE LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Swimming pool58 HABITAT WAY LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)44 PACIFIC PARADE LENNOX HEAD 2478Under Assessment
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation103 STONEYHURST DRIVE LENNOX HEAD 2478Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation26 TARA DOWNS LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
April 2026
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)2 ANCHORAGE AVENUE LENNOX HEAD 2478Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure33 BLUE SEAS PARADE LENNOX HEAD 2478Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool99B HUTLEY DRIVE LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Stairway11 RUTHERFORD STREET LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support44 DRESS CIRCLE DRIVE LENNOX HEAD 2478Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation54 AMBER DRIVE LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 COOPER CLOSE LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool35 STONEYHURST DRIVE LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)2 33 PACIFIC PARADE LENNOX HEAD 2478Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure27 STONEYHURST DRIVE LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development34 FIG TREE HILL DRIVE LENNOX HEAD 2478Withdrawn
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Stairway11 RUTHERFORD STREET LENNOX HEAD 2478Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Swimming pool39 MONTWOOD DRIVE LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
March 2026
- 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 Australia2 1 YURAYGIR PLACE LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation61 SURVEY STREET LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support5 ADMIRAL VISTA LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation56 STEWART STREET LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
- Subdivision53 STONEYHURST DRIVE LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Carport24A TARA DOWNS LENNOX HEAD 2478Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure34 PACIFIC PARADE LENNOX HEAD 2478Additional Information Requested
- Dual occupancy; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (attached)2 8 SUNRISE CRESCENT LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure56 SANDSTONE CRESCENT LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah57 AMBER DRIVE LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
- Subdivision7 ADMIRAL VISTA LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
- Subdivision12 SANDBREAK CRESCENT LENNOX HEAD 2478Determined
2025· 112 proposals
112 proposals lodged in 2025. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2024· 69 proposals
69 proposals lodged in 2024. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2023· 95 proposals
95 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2022· 155 proposals
155 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2021· 109 proposals
109 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020–2026; 2021; 2022… · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
98 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- CellarbrationsAlcohol
- Super CellarsAlcohol
- Lennox Head BakeryBakery
- Slicker than averageBar
- Lenlux BeautyBeauty salon
- Bench (4)
- Bicycle Parking (10)
- Lennox BookmarkBooks
- Ballina St after Byron StBus stop
- Ballina St after Rutherford St (Lennox Head Coach Stop)Bus stop
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
7 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Lakefield Avenue ReservePark
- Lennox ParkPark
- Ocean Breeze ReservePark
- Pat Morton LookoutPark
- Ross ParkPark
- Victor Place ReservePark
- Williams ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 4
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Dental at Lennoxdentist
- Lennox Head Medical Centreclinic
- Lennox Head Medical Centredoctor
- Lennox Head Phamacypharmacy
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Childcare
4 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Goodstart Early LearningNorth Creek Roadchildcare
- Harmony Early EducationOutrigger Roadchildcare
- kindergartenkindergarten
- kindergartenkindergarten
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.
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 87
- Parks (OSM)
- 24
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 92.5/100
- Cohort rank
- #31 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Gibbon St Before Ian Avtransport
- Lennox Head Holiday Park, Ross Sttransport
- North Creek Rd After Blue Seas Pdetransport
- North Creek Rd Before Amber Drtransport
- North Creek Rd Opp Montwood Drtransport
- Goodstart Early LearningchildcareNorth Creek Roadchildcare
- Harmony Early EducationchildcareOutrigger Roadchildcare
- kindergartenchildcarekindergarten
- kindergartenchildcarekindergarten
- Dental at Lennoxhealthdentist
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Updated on site
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Updated on site
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Similar suburbs
Suburbs with a comparable population profile, socio-economic decile, and location.