Median house price
$925k
-1.3% change
NSW · Ballina Council
Wollongbar, 2477
Est. population · Jun 2025
3,438
Growth (1 yr)
+1.3%
Growth (5 yr)
+7.0%
Median age
40
Median income
$1,639/wk
Employment rate
61.8%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$925,000
Languages at home
4.8%non-English
Most common: Spanish, Italian, Afrikaans
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Education hub
Suburb profile
Wollongbar sits in Ballina Council as a regional mid-sized 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 plenty of young families in the mix.
Local shops, markets and community spots keep everyday life grounded in the town itself. Green space punches above what many regional towns offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Everyday errands are walkable, and buses keep the wider city within easy reach.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. Infill and new builds are slowly updating the area without overwhelming its existing character.
Desirability rates good overall, led by community and employment, while local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus safety land closer to the middle of the pack for similar regional towns.
At a glance
Wollongbar snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$700/wk
Houses $750 · Units $530
Population (ERP)
3,438
+1.3% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.6%
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
#10
among Country & regional · Emerging
Safety
17th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
74th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
7/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
59th
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
- 57.9/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 17% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1236th in Australia
- State rank
- 365th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #10 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #57 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)
- $530
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $750
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $700
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 59
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $925,000
- Median price change
- -1.3%
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
3,438(June 2025)
+1.3% annual · +7.0% over 5 years · 74th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.3%
- 5-year growth
- +7.0%
- Change in 1 year
- +43
- Change in 5 years
- +224
- Growth rank in NSW
- 74th 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 (~3,650), extrapolated at +1.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- 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)
- 1,020 / 88 / 102
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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 132
- Against the person
- 34
- Against property
- 66
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 38.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 96 residents
- State safety percentile
- 16.6th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +3.4%
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault37
- Fraud33
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment40
- Malicious Damage To Property62
- Steal From Motor Vehicle47
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
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,028
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 59th
School list
- Wollongbar Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1028 · 59th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 243 students · Top SEA quarter 18% · 1.4 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
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- The Learning CottageSmiths Lanekindergarten
- Wollongbar Community PreschoolHall Courtkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
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
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
46 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 cafes · 1 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 1 places of worship · 3 playgrounds · 2 petrol stations
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 6 parks mapped in suburb, 3 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 200 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 72/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.31
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.31
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.84
Food & drink(1)
- Cafe 53Cafe
Shopping(3)
- The Station GrocerConvenience store
- FoodworksSupermarket
Community(4)
- Wollongbar HallCommunity centre
- Wollongbar Community PreschoolKindergarten
5 Hall Court, Wollongbar
- Wollongbar Public SchoolSchool
45 Simpson Avenue, Wollongbar
- Wollongbar Public SchoolSchool
Wollongbar
Health & services(1)
- Advantage PharmacyPharmacy
Unit 6 54 Simpson Avenue, Wollongbar
Sport & outdoors(8)
- Campbell Avenue ReservePark
- Central Park ReservePark
- Park
- Wollongbar District ParkPark
- Playground (3)
- Sports field
Transport(10)
10 bus stops
Other(14)
- BottlemartAlcohol
- Bbq
- TAFE NSW - Wollongbar CampusCollege
Snreaths Road
- Fitness Station
- Palms Shopping CentreMall
54-56 Simpson Avenue, Wollongbar
- Palms Shopping CentreParking
- Parking (3)
- BPPetrol station
- ShellPetrol station
- Place of worship
- Australia PostPost Box
- Wollongbar District ParkPublic toilets
- Wollongbar Primary Industries InstituteResearch Institute
1243 Bruxner Highway
- Shelter (5)
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
3 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Campbell Avenue ReservePark
- Central Park ReservePark
- Wollongbar District ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 6
- Parks (OSM)
- 6
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
- 4
- Nearest hospital
- Lismore Base Hospital (11.5 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Advantage PharmacySimpson AvenuePharmacy
- Lamas & BrownOptometrist
- Wollongbar Dental PracticeDentist
- Wollongbar Medical PracticeDoctor
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)
- 130
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 37.8
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
- 569 mm · ~71 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 612 mm · ~76 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 20° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 289 mm · ~36 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 300 mm · ~38 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· 22 proposals
August 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure22 BLETCHINGLY STREET WOLLONGBAR 2477Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support40 MILLBROOK TERRACE WOLLONGBAR 2477Additional Information Requested
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation27 MILLBROOK TERRACE WOLLONGBAR 2477Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Manufactured home; Residential Accommodation24 SCARLETT COURT WOLLONGBAR 2477Additional Information Requested
- Centre-based child care; Hours of operation and trading1 SMITHS LANE WOLLONGBAR 2477Under Assessment
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)9 ELSA AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Under Assessment
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure43 AVALON AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Rainwater tanks; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation8 CALLICOMA COURT WOLLONGBAR 2477Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation1 18 DALMACIA DRIVE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Residential Accommodation37 MILLBROOK TERRACE WOLLONGBAR 2477Under Assessment
- Subdivision28 DUNDEE AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure30 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; Fences6 RIFLE RANGE ROAD WOLLONGBAR 2477Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool32 STANLEY PARK ROAD WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development16 FRANCIS AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
April 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool6 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 Accommodation30 RIFLE RANGE ROAD WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool41 AVALON AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
February 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation21 RUBITON STREET WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
January 2026
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Supporting Development150 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 care10 DUNDEE AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool53 MCLEANS RIDGES ROAD WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
2025· 14 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation14 BOLWARRA CIRCUIT WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
November 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure40 MILLBROOK TERRACE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
October 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences44 BOLWARRA CIRCUIT WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation42 SIMPSON AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
July 2025
- Pub; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure52 SIMPSON AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support24 SCARLETT COURT WOLLONGBAR 2477Withdrawn
May 2025
- Demolition; Educational establishment; Erection of a new structure; Tertiary institution61 SNEATHS ROAD WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah1 QUEENS PARK COURT WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure26 DALMACIA DRIVE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
March 2025
- Subdivision6 SELKIRK PLACE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation226 LINDENDALE ROAD WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
February 2025
- Subdivision10 WOLLONGBAR DRIVE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 CERRETO CIRCUIT WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure104 NORMAN JONES LANE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
2024· 11 proposals
November 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool1320 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 structures3 ANALEI STREET WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
September 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation7 YEATES COURT WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
August 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Veterinary hospital1243 BRUXNER HIGHWAY WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
July 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool11 TECTONA PLACE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool60 CHESWORTH LANE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
June 2024
- Home business; Erection of a new structure; Shipping containers98 LINDENDALE ROAD WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure11 MIDWAY AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
- Dual occupancy24 DUNDEE AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
May 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure7 FRANCIS AVENUE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
April 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool15 MILLBROOK TERRACE WOLLONGBAR 2477Determined
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)
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
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 8.4 km away).
Coalition 56.0%Labor 44.0%
3.3 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.8 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- WollongbarLabor 42.1% · Coalition 57.9% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- AlstonvilleLabor 51.5% · Coalition 48.5% TPP (2025)3.4 km away
- Mcleans RidgesLabor 47.2% · Coalition 52.8% TPP (2025)3.4 km away
- RousLabor 38.2% · Coalition 61.8% TPP (2025)5.6 km away
- ElthamLabor 53.5% · Coalition 46.5% TPP (2025)6.3 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)
- 7/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 7/10
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
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Ballina Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.