🔍

Skennars Head

NSW 2478 • Rest of NSW

1,303
Population (2021)
$87,048
Median Household Income
7.42 km²
Area
$550/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeach LifestyleQuietRetireesSurfing

About Skennars Head

Skennars Head is a picturesque coastal locality in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, nestled between Ballina and Lennox Head within the Ballina Shire. Home to around 1,300 residents with a median age of 47, this laid-back community sits on the traditional lands of the Bundjalung people. The area takes its name from early pioneer John Frederick Skenner who established one of the region's first sugar mills here in 1869.

The suburb offers an enviable coastal lifestyle with three stunning beaches - Sharpes Beach and the boulder beaches at Iron Peg and Boulder Beach. Popular with mature couples and retirees, Skennars Head provides a quieter alternative to bustling Byron Bay while remaining just 7 kilometres from Ballina's services. Residents enjoy world-class surf breaks, scenic coastal walks, and easy access to the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport for quick getaways.

Skennars Head falls under postcode 2478 and is governed by Ballina Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Ballina electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2478
Urban Area
Ballina - Surrounds
LGA / Council
Ballina
Federal Electorate
Richmond
State Electorate
Ballina
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-28.83°, 153.59°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
7.42 km²
Elevation
13m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Skennars Head for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$1.85M
29 sales · ▲ 11.3% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$1.3M
15 sales · ▲ 6.6% vs 2024

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$550
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,297
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
47 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.6%

0 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • 640, 640X — Ballina - Byron Bay via Lennox Head 15-40 min
  • Regional coaches — Lismore / Brisbane Varies

Commute to Ballina

Distance
7 km
By Train
N/A - No rail in region
By Bus
Limited service via Route 640
By Car (Peak)
10 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
8 min

🛣️ Car recommended - 30km to Byron Bay, airport 5 min drive

Walkability Car-Dependent

Quiet residential area, car needed for shopping and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Ballina Local Government Area, which contains Skennars Head. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
367.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
237.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 12.3%
Non-DV assault
369.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
8.3 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
381.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 1.9%
View all 62 offence types for Ballina →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,158
Census 2021
1,303
▲ 12.5% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$32,448
Personal Income 2021
$41,288
▲ 27.2% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$41,288 / yr
$794/wk
Household
$87,048 / yr
$1674/wk
Family
$113,100 / yr
$2175/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,104
Born Overseas 153

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 48
  • 2. New Zealand 21
  • 3. France 13
  • 4. South Africa 9
  • 5. Canada 8
  • 6. Germany 8
  • 7. United States 7
  • 8. Scotland 6
  • 9. Philippines 4
  • 10. Brazil 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 576
Australian 526
Irish 251
Scottish 183
Italian 62
German 45
Dutch 24
French 21
Australian Aboriginal 20
Welsh 12

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

871
Both parents born in Australia
197
Both parents born overseas
188
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
54.1%
No Religion
40.1%
Buddhism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
55 (4.2%)
5-14 years
184 (14.1%)
15-19 years
79 (6.1%)
20-24 years
46 (3.5%)
25-34 years
72 (5.5%)
35-44 years
160 (12.3%)
45-54 years
187 (14.4%)
55-64 years
194 (14.9%)
65-74 years
200 (15.3%)
75-84 years
102 (7.8%)
85+ years
16 (1.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Skennars Head known for? +

Skennars Head is a picturesque coastal locality in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, nestled between Ballina and Lennox Head within the Ballina Shire. Home to around 1,300 residents with a median age of 47, this laid-back community sits on the traditional lands of the Bundjalung people.

How far is Skennars Head from Ballina? +

Skennars Head is approximately 7 kilometres from Ballina. The drive takes around 10 min during peak hour and 8 min off-peak.

Does Skennars Head have public transport? +

Skennars Head is served by bus routes (640, 640X) connecting to Ballina - Byron Bay via Lennox Head with a travel time of approximately 15-40 min. There is no train or metro station in the suburb.

What is the population of Skennars Head? +

According to the 2021 Census, Skennars Head has a population of approximately 1,303 residents.

Is Skennars Head a good place to live? +

Skennars Head is well-regarded for its coastal lifestyle, offering natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and a relaxed community feel. It suits those who prioritise beach access and a quieter pace of life over proximity to a major city.

What is the postcode for Skennars Head? +

The postcode for Skennars Head in NSW is 2478.

What is the average income in Skennars Head? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Skennars Head is about $794 per week (around $41,300 per year). The median household income is $1,674 per week and the median family income is $2,175 per week.

What is the median house price in Skennars Head? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,850,000, up 11.3% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $1,300,000, up 6.6% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Skennars Head? +

The median age in Skennars Head is 47. The largest age group is 65–74 (200 residents, around 15%). Around 24% of residents are under 20 and about 24% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Skennars Head a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Skennars Head is part of the Ballina LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Skennars Head? +

In Skennars Head, the median weekly rent is $550, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,297 (2021 Census).