🔍

Skennars Head

NSW 2478 • Rest of NSW

1,303
Population (2021)
$41,288
Median 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

🚌 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

NSW crime data is provided by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Use the interactive tool below to explore recorded crime incidents in Skennars Head by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Skennars Head Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Skennars Head" under Suburb

🏠 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)

🎓 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)

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

Income Comparison

📊 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