NSW · Ballina Council
Skennars Head, NSW, 2478
Desirability index
68.3/100
How this score is calculated#144 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Suburb snapshot
Skennars Head is a small locality in the Ballina area, home to around 1,303 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 3,008 offences in Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 with rising year-on-year trends (+13%), roughly 2308.5 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $755 (flats $595, houses $850), 2 school and preschool sites in the area, strong public transport coverage with many public transport stops, a quieter amenity profile than busier neighbouring suburbs, and notable planning and development activity on record. Use the sections below for detailed population, safety, schools, and local activity data.
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
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
- 2,308.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 2 residents
- State safety percentile
- 47.4th (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
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 1,091.5
- Holy Family Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary
- Xavier Catholic College BallinaSecondary
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
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).
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· 26 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
2023· 47 proposals
47 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2022· 53 proposals
53 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2021· 32 proposals
32 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
11 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).
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.
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)
- 6
- Parks (OSM)
- 3
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
- 68.3/100
- Cohort rank
- #144 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
- Headlands Dr Before Skennars Head Rdtransport
- Killarney Cres Before Headlands Drtransport
- The Coast Rd After Headlands Drtransport
- The Coast Rd At Flat Rock Rdtransport
- Waterford Pde After Smith Sttransport
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking spaceplanning68 KILLARNEY CRESCENT SKENNARS HEAD 2478Lodged 11 May 2026 · Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Caravan parkplanning35 SKENNARS HEAD ROAD SKENNARS HEAD 2478Lodged 28 Aug 2025 · Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming poolplanning14 SEASIDE AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Lodged 25 Feb 2026 · Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming poolplanning4 SEASIDE AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Lodged 08 Dec 2025 · Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming poolplanning19 COVE AVENUE SKENNARS HEAD 2478Lodged 11 Mar 2025 · Determined
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
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