NSW · Ballina Council

Wollongbar, NSW, 2477

Desirability index

81.1/100

#84 among Coastal & beach suburbs

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Wollongbar is a smaller suburban community in the Ballina area, home to around 3,261 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 523 offences in Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 with relatively stable year-on-year trends (+3%), roughly 160.4 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $700 (flats $530, houses $750), 1 school and preschool site in the area, strong public transport coverage with many public transport stops, a solid spread of nearby amenities and everyday services, 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
3,261
Median age
40
Median household income / week
$1,639
Dwelling vacancy
5.6%
Unoccupied private dwellings
72 of 1,277
Median monthly mortgage
$1,842
Employment rate
61.8%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
70 / 88 / 102

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community ProfileAustralian 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)
$530
Houses (January to March 2026)
$750
All types (January to March 2026)
$700
Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
59

Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.

Data sources & freshness

Crime & safety

Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
523
Against the person
136
Against property
261
Rate per 1,000 residents
160.4
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 24 residents
State safety percentile
13.6th (lower crime is better)
Year-on-year change
+3.2%

Most common offence types

  • Domestic Violence Related Assault37
  • Fraud33
  • Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment40
  • Malicious Damage To Property62
  • Steal From Motor Vehicle47

Data sources & freshness

  • BOCSAR postcode crime statisticsNSW 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
1,028
  • Wollongbar Public SchoolPrimary

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

200 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Cerreto Cct Opp Lyle Park Rugby Field
  • Dalmacia Dr At County Ct
  • Midway Av Opp Tupelo Av
  • Rifle Range Rd After Midway Av
  • Rubiton St Opp Rubiton St Reserve

Data sources & freshness

Planning & development

Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).

104 planning-related records

2026· 15 proposals
  • June 2026

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Rainwater tanks; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation
    8 CALLICOMA COURT WOLLONGBAR 2477Under Assessment
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    1 18 DALMACIA DRIVE WOLLONGBAR 2477Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Residential Accommodation
    37 MILLBROOK TERRACE WOLLONGBAR 2477Under Assessment
  • Subdivision
    28 DUNDEE AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    30 RIFLE RANGE ROAD WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • May 2026

  • Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences
    6 RIFLE RANGE ROAD WOLLONGBAR 2477Under Assessment
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    32 STANLEY PARK ROAD WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development
    16 FRANCIS AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • April 2026

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool
    6 MILLBROOK TERRACE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • March 2026

  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Residential Accommodation
    30 RIFLE RANGE ROAD WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool
    41 AVALON AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • February 2026

  • Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation
    21 RUBITON STREET WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • January 2026

  • Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Supporting Development
    150 SNEATHS ROAD WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Garage, carport or carparking space; Business identification sign; Centre-based child care
    10 DUNDEE AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool
    53 MCLEANS RIDGES ROAD WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
2025· 14 proposals
  • December 2025

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    14 BOLWARRA CIRCUIT WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • November 2025

  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    40 MILLBROOK TERRACE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • October 2025

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences
    44 BOLWARRA CIRCUIT WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • September 2025

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    42 SIMPSON AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • July 2025

  • Pub; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    52 SIMPSON AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • June 2025

  • Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    24 SCARLETT COURT WOLLONGBAR 2477Withdrawn
  • May 2025

  • Demolition; Educational establishment; Erection of a new structure; Tertiary institution
    61 SNEATHS ROAD WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • April 2025

  • Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah
    1 QUEENS PARK COURT WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    26 DALMACIA DRIVE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • March 2025

  • Subdivision
    6 SELKIRK PLACE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    226 LINDENDALE ROAD WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • February 2025

  • Subdivision
    10 WOLLONGBAR DRIVE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    10 CERRETO CIRCUIT WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    104 NORMAN JONES LANE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
2024· 14 proposals
  • November 2024

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool
    1320 BRUXNER HIGHWAY WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • October 2024

  • Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Barbecues and other outdoor cooking structures
    3 ANALEI STREET WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • September 2024

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    7 YEATES COURT WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • August 2024

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Veterinary hospital
    1243 BRUXNER HIGHWAY WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • July 2024

  • Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool
    11 TECTONA PLACE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool
    60 CHESWORTH LANE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • June 2024

  • Home business; Erection of a new structure; Shipping containers
    98 LINDENDALE ROAD WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    11 MIDWAY AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • Dual occupancy
    24 DUNDEE AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • May 2024

  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    7 FRANCIS AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
  • April 2024

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool
    15 MILLBROOK TERRACE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
2023· 15 proposals

15 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2022· 33 proposals

33 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2021· 13 proposals

13 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

30 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • BottlemartAlcohol
  • Bbq
  • Ballina Rd before Lindendale RdBus stop
  • Bruxner Hwy after Converys LaneBus stop
  • Lismore Rd at Rifle Range Rd (Wollongbar Coach Stop)Bus stop
  • Lismore Rd opp Range Rd (Wollongbar Coach Stop)Bus stop
  • Plateau Dr at Bolwarra CctBus stop
  • Plateau Dr at Delva RdBus stop
  • Plateau Dr before Callicoma CtBus stop
  • Rifle Range Rd at Plateau DrBus stop

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap amenitiesOpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Parks & reserves

3 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Campbell Avenue ReservePark
  • Central Park ReservePark
  • Wollongbar District ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
4
Emergency department
Not in suburb
  • Advantage PharmacySimpson Avenuepharmacy
  • Lamas & Brownoptometrist
  • Wollongbar Dental Practicedentist
  • Wollongbar Medical Practicedoctor

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
7/10
IRSD decile (2021)
7/10

SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • The Learning CottageSmiths Lanekindergarten
  • Wollongbar Community PreschoolHall Courtkindergarten

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare servicesOpenStreetMap · 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 overlaysState government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
6
Parks (OSM)
6

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap green cover featuresOpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Desirability index

Desirability score
81.1/100
Cohort rank
#84 among Coastal & beach suburbs

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability indexSuburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • Cerreto Cct Opp Lyle Park Rugby Fieldtransport
  • Dalmacia Dr At County Cttransport
  • Midway Av Opp Tupelo Avtransport
  • Rifle Range Rd After Midway Avtransport
  • Rubiton St Opp Rubiton St Reservetransport
  • The Learning CottagechildcareSmiths Lanekindergarten
  • Wollongbar Community PreschoolchildcareHall Courtkindergarten
  • Advantage PharmacyhealthSimpson Avenuepharmacy
  • Lamas & Brownhealthoptometrist
  • Wollongbar Dental Practicehealthdentist

Data sources & freshness

Similar suburbs

Suburbs with a comparable population profile, socio-economic decile, and location.