Urban Centre · Area profile
Skennars Head
1 km²
Tucked away from the main hubs of Ballina, Skennars Head is a predominantly older and more affluent coastal community. The typical resident is 50, and the area has seen a significant rise in seniors, with 27.5% of people now aged 65 or over. This shift is reflected in the housing market, where a high proportion of residents own their homes outright and enjoy higher-than-average incomes. It is a peaceful, car-dependent pocket where most people live in detached houses.
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The community has aged considerably, with the typical resident now 11 years older than in 2011. Seniors make up 27.5% of the population, which is far above the national figure of 17.2%, while the number of children has fallen since 2011.
Most residents were born in Australia, though 12.6% were born overseas, which is higher than in most similar areas. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries reported.
English is the primary language for 92.1% of the community. Only 4.1% of people use another language at home, which is far below the state and national averages.
About 40.4% of residents report having no religion, a figure that is well above the New South Wales average of 33.2%. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation at 54.3%.
The area is well-qualified, with 25.7% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. More than half of residents have completed Year 12, a result that is much higher than in most similar areas.
Incomes have risen sharply since 2011, and the typical family now earns $2,067 a week. This is higher than most similar areas, and 20.9% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly.
People with a long-term health condition make up 30.8% of the population, which is well above the national figure. Arthritis is the most common long-term health issue reported.
Unpaid care is common here, with 15.2% of people providing care, which is well above the national average. The area also has a much higher proportion of former Defence Force members than most similar areas.
Half of all households are couples with children, but people living alone have increased to 26.8% since 2011. There are typically 2.4 people per home.
Home ownership is very strong, with 54.7% of homes owned outright, far above the national figure of 31%. While detached houses are the norm, typical weekly rents have risen sharply to $550.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, with no one commuting by public transport. However, working from home has become more common, rising to 16.9% since 2011.
Movement into the area has slowed, with 36.1% of people moving in the last five years, which is lower than the national average. Recent overseas arrivals have also fallen since 2011.
About 60.9% of adults are working or looking for work, which is a little above the state average. Many residents work in professional roles, particularly in health care and education.
While almost every home is within a short walk of a park or school, the area is mostly car-dependent because there are no groceries or health services within a 15-minute walk.