Banora Point
Older households define Banora Point more than tourist traffic: the median age is 49, 9.0 years above the national benchmark, and 47.9% of homes are owned outright. With 16,460 residents on 9.26 sq km, it is a dense but settled Tweed Coast suburb compared with nearby Tweed Heads and hillier Terranora. A $991,000 median house price sits against household income in the 28.6 national percentile, so demand is shaped by established owners, downsizers and family buyers rather than rapid churn.
Population
16,460
Median Age
49.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,268/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
119
Median House
$1.3M
12m to Jun 2026 (PSI)
Homebuyers are paying for established space and low-rise housing. The median house price is $991,000, with separate houses at 61.6% and semi-detached homes at 35.1%, while apartments are much lower at 3.3%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 46.8%, followed by 4-plus bedrooms at 33.3%, which suits couples and families needing room. Mortgage costs average $1,871 a month, but mortgage payments still absorb 34.1% of income, so borrowing pressure is higher than the income percentile suggests.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are paying for established space and low-rise housing. The median house price is $991,000, with separate houses at 61.6% and semi-detached homes at 35.1%, while apartments are much lower at 3.3%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 46.8%, followed by 4-plus bedrooms at 33.3%, which suits couples and families needing room. Mortgage costs average $1,871 a month, but mortgage payments still absorb 34.1% of income, so borrowing pressure is higher than the income percentile suggests.
For Investors
Banora Point is not a classic high-renter market: renters make up 19.5%, below the 47.9% owned-outright share and 32.6% mortgaged share. That limits tenant depth, but the $440 weekly rent and 39.7% rent growth shift show demand has still tightened for available stock. Vacancy is 5.5%, which is higher than a landlord would want, so pricing and presentation matter. The 99 development applications in 12 months point to renovation and small-scale renewal rather than a blank-slate growth area.
Development Activity
Total DAs
547
Last 12 Months
119
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+58.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Banora Point iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St James' Primary School
K-6 · 406 students
St Joseph's College
7-12 · 838 students
Banora Point Public School
K-6 · 390 students
Centaur Public School
K-6 · 424 students
Banora Point High School
7-12 · 503 students
Demographics
Banora Point is older and more locally rooted than the national profile. The median age is 49, 9.0 years above the national figure, while the overseas-born share is 16.1%, 5.5 percentage points below national. University attainment is 21.0%, also lower by 9.1 points, which matches an economy with many service, care and trade roles. English ancestry is the largest group at 7,464 people, followed by Irish at 2,138 and Scottish at 1,973; Christianity counts 8,835 residents.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
61.6%
Houses
35.1%
Townhouse
3.3%
Apartment
Tenure
The housing market is owner-heavy and price momentum has been positive. The point-in-time median house price is $991,000, while the price series moved from $937,500 in 2024 to $1,050,000 in 2025, a 12.0% rise with the latest price equal to the peak, so peak-to-latest change is 0.0%. Ownership is much higher than renting: 47.9% own outright, 32.6% have a mortgage and 19.5% rent. Smaller households are common, with 2.4 people on average, because the suburb has many older owners.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General (12m to Jun 2026 (PSI))
Mortgage / mo
$1,871
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (January to March 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $440.
$835
Bond data Mar 2026 · houses $950 · units $700
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$629
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.5%
Unoccupied
382
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
34.7% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
34.1% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.3%
Couples, no children
12,787
Total families
Economy & Employment
The local workforce leans toward care, construction and public services rather than high-income corporate sectors. Healthcare employs 1,079 people, or 25.2%, well above any other listed industry, followed by construction at 515, education at 480, retail at 372 and public admin at 298. Professionals lead occupations at 1,080, but SEIFA is mixed: IEO decile 3 and IRSAD decile 4 sit below the national middle, while IRSD decile 5 and IER decile 5 show average resources despite lower education and occupation scores.
Unemployment
2.4%
Labour Force
7,522
Unemployed
182
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
54.8%
Part-time
40.5%
Participation
46.8%
Employed
6,232
Occupations
Top Industries
University
21.0%
Postgraduate
3.8%
Born Overseas
16.1%
Dwellings
6,535
Transport to Work
Daily life is car-dependent but well served for schooling. Car drivers account for 91.1% of commuting, far above public transport at 0.4% and walking or cycling at 2.0%, so access works best for households with cars. Five local schools span Catholic and government sectors, with ICSEA scores from 965 to 1068. St James' Primary at 1068 and St Joseph's College at 1050 provide higher-ICSEA Catholic options, while government primary and secondary choices support local families. IRSAD decile 4 is below the national middle.
Drive
91.1%
Public Transport
0.4%
Walk / Cycle
2.0%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.56%/yr
(+94 people/yr)
EstablishedGrowth is steady rather than explosive. The forecast trend adds 0.56% a year, or about 94 residents annually, taking the medium projection from 16,871 in 2026 to 17,340 by 2031. Migration is the driver: net internal migration averages 139 people a year compared with 65 from overseas, which fits a coastal relocation pattern. The gentrification score is 17 and labelled Not gentrifying, even though the shift indicators are Mixed with 39.7% rent growth and a 2.3 point rise in senior share.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+65
Net Internal / yr
+139
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal migration +139/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Banora Point compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Banora Point a good suburb to live in?
Banora Point suits buyers wanting an established Tweed Coast base with space and schools. The median age is 49 and 47.9% of homes are owned outright, so it feels settled, but car reliance is high at 91.1% of commuters.
What is the median house price in Banora Point?
The median house price is $991,000. Recent price tracking also shows a move from $937,500 in 2024 to $1,050,000 in 2025, a 12.0% increase, with the latest quarter matching the recorded peak.
What schools are in Banora Point?
Banora Point has 5 local schools. Higher-ICSEA options include St James' Primary School at 1068 and St Joseph's College at 1050, alongside Banora Point Public, Centaur Public and Banora Point High.
Is Banora Point safe?
A local crime rate is not listed for Banora Point, so safety is better judged through inspections and street-level checks. The suburb has 16,460 residents and a high 47.9% owned-outright share, which often supports stable residential streets.
Is Banora Point good for property investment?
It can suit income-focused investors, but it is not a high-renter suburb. Renters are 19.5% of households, rent is $440 a week and vacancy is 5.5%, while 99 recent development applications point to ongoing renewal.
How is Banora Point's population changing?
Population growth is forecast at 0.56% a year, or about 94 people annually. The medium scenario rises from 16,871 in 2026 to 17,340 in 2031, with internal migration adding about 139 people a year.
Is there much development in Banora Point?
Yes, there were 99 development applications in the past 12 months. The examples include decks, demolitions, sheds and carports, suggesting mostly additions and small projects rather than large apartment-led redevelopment.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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