NSW · Nambucca Valley Council
Nambucca Heads, NSW, 2448
Desirability index
68.1/100
How this score is calculated#145 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Suburb snapshot
Nambucca Heads is a smaller suburban community in the Nambucca Valley area, home to around 6,675 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 842 offences in Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 with falling year-on-year trends (-15%), roughly 126.1 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $530 (flats $365, houses $593), 4 school and preschool sites in the area, strong public transport coverage with many public transport stops, a higher concentration of local shops, services, and recreation amenities, 1 active roadworks or transport incidents on nearby routes, 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
- 6,675
- Median age
- 57
- Median household income / week
- $839
- Dwelling vacancy
- 10%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 328 of 3,281
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,300
- Employment rate
- 33.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 244 / 380 / 328
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)
- $365
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $593
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $530
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 78
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)
- 842
- Against the person
- 264
- Against property
- 325
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 126.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 25 residents
- State safety percentile
- 11.4th (lower crime is better)
- Year-on-year change
- -14.8%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order52
- Domestic Violence Related Assault78
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment89
- Malicious Damage To Property90
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault55
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
- 4
- Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
- 897
- Frank Partridge VC Public SchoolPrimary
- Nambucca Heads High SchoolSecondary
- Nambucca Heads Public SchoolPrimary
- Nambucca Valley Christian Community SchoolCombined
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
72 public transport stops in this suburb
- Alexandra Dr Turnaround - Roundabout
- Bowra St At Wellington Dr
- Frank Partridge VC Public School, Centenary Pde
- Marshall Way Opp Summer Pl
- Mumbler St At Bellwood Rd
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- Reduced speed limit. Follow directions on site. Check signage. <em>Remediation works at Riverside Drive Nambucca Heads</em><em> </em><em>Council wishes to advise, landslip remediation works are commencing along Riverside Drive from Monday 29th June for 4 weeks, weather permitting. Temporary traffic control will be in place with minor delays expected in both directions whilst works are carried out. Council appreciates your co-operation to deliver these works and to exercise caution whilst travelling through the work zones.</em>Riverside Drive, Seaview Street12 Jun 2026 – 27 Jul 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
486 planning-related records
2026· 33 proposals
June 2026
- Subdivision12 PILOT STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 JANGGAL JANGGAL ROAD NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space10 ROYAL TAR CRESCENT NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure46 WEST STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Moveable dwelling51 PALMER STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development20 JANGGAL JANGGAL RD, NAMBUCCA HEADS NSW 2448Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Fences; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development36 JANGGAL JANGGAL RD, NAMBUCCA HEADS NSW 2448Determined
- Restaurant or cafe; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise1 38 RIDGE STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces3 GALAH GROVE NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Fences; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development22 JANGGAL JANGGAL RD, NAMBUCCA HEADS NSW 2448Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool9 ROSEDALE STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Additional Information Requested
- Office Premise; Erection of a new structure24 BANK STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure84 JANGGAL JANGGAL ROAD NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure88 JANGGAL JANGGAL ROAD NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport15 JOHN AVENUE NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Landscaping structures97 JANGGAL JANGGAL ROAD NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Subdivision25 PALMER STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure85 JANGGAL JANGGAL ROAD NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure45-47 LEE STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation32 PARKES STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah37 LEE STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation8 EICHMANN STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Shade structures of canvas, fabric, mesh or the like12-18 NELSON STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation56 JANGGAL JANGGAL ROAD NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
February 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah31 PELICAN CRESCENT NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation9 HIGH STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 DOYLE LANE NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure3 LISTON STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Additional Information Requested
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; General industry10 KEN HOWARD CRESCENT NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure104 JANGGAL JANGGAL ROAD NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure94 JANGGAL JANGGAL ROAD NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation86 JANGGAL JANGGAL ROAD NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural supportFLORENCE WILMONT DRIVE NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
2025· 88 proposals
December 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation67 SEAVIEW STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation12 HIGH STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure102 JANGGAL JANGGAL ROAD NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure1 NELSON STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Withdrawn
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah19 BELLWOOD DRIVE NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 WARRGUNY STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
- Subdivision8A WOODBELL STREET NAMBUCCA HEADS 2448Determined
2024· 89 proposals
89 proposals lodged in 2024. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2023· 103 proposals
103 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2022· 108 proposals
108 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2021· 65 proposals
65 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
79 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Ritchies IGA and LiquorAlcohol
- ATM
- Nambucca Plaza BakeryBakery
- Bbq
- Bench (4)
- Bicycle Parking
- Bus stop
- Centenary Pde at McDonald DrBus stop
- Giinagay Way opp Nambucca Heads PlazaBus stop
- Mann St at Centenary PdeBus 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
11 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bellwood ParkPark
- Brook ParkPark
- Brotherhood ParkPark
- Coronation ParkPark
- Gordon ParkPark
- Lions ParkPark
- McClung ParkPark
- McMorrine ParkPark
- Richardson ParkPark
- The Cubana ResortPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 7
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Bawrunga Medical ServiceMarshall Waydoctor
- Blooms The Chemistpharmacy
- Dental Design Studio 32dentist
- Evolve Medicla Centredoctor
- Nambucca Plaza Pharmacypharmacy
- Peachtree Dental Surgerydentist
- TerryWhite Chemmartpharmacy
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 1/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 1/10
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
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)
- 22
- Parks (OSM)
- 14
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
- 68.1/100
- Cohort rank
- #145 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
- Alexandra Dr Turnaround - Roundabouttransport
- Bowra St At Wellington Drtransport
- Frank Partridge VC Public School, Centenary Pdetransport
- Marshall Way Opp Summer Pltransport
- Mumbler St At Bellwood Rdtransport
- Bawrunga Medical ServicehealthMarshall Waydoctor
- Blooms The Chemisthealthpharmacy
- Dental Design Studio 32healthdentist
- Evolve Medicla Centrehealthdoctor
- Nambucca Plaza Pharmacyhealthpharmacy
Data sources & freshness
- 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
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