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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Ballina is $1.10m, with units at $785k. House values have moved 3.3% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Sales Detail
Ballina has an estimated 18,859 residents, up from 18,629 at the 2021 Census — a change of 230 people, or 1.2%. 201 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. That puts 522 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, demographic analysis from AreaSearch indicates Ballina has a resident population of approximately 18,859. Compared to the 18,629 individuals recorded in the 2021 Census, this represents a net addition of 230 people (1.2%). This figure is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population benchmark of 18,813, supplemented by 201 validated new addresses registered post-census. The local population density stands at 521 persons per square kilometer, indicating low spatial congestion and ample scope for future development. Ballina's 1.2% expansion since the census trails the broader SA4 region (3.8%) by 2.6 percentage points, reflecting steady underlying growth dynamics.
The primary engine of recent local population expansion has been overseas migration, accounting for roughly 59.9% of total gains. Projections for each SA2 region are drawn from ABS/Geoscience Australia models published in 2024 (using 2022 as a base year), or alternatively from the 2022 NSW State Government SA2 series (base year 2021) where required. Age-specific trajectory rates across these models have been mapped forward to cover 2032 through 2041. Based on expected demographic trends, the locality is forecast to outpace median expansion rates across regional Australia, gaining an estimated 2,974 persons by 2041 from current ERP benchmarks—an overall increase of 15.5% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
157 new dwellings have been approved in Ballina over the past five years, an average of 31 a year. That is 1.7 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 31 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 55% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Ballina have averaged approximately 31 dwellings annually, totalling 157 homes across the previous 5 financial years. With 2.4 new residents added for each completed residence between FY-22 and FY-26 over the last 5 financial years, structural demand continues to underpin local property values. Newly approved dwellings carry an average construction value of $601,000, signaling a clear developer focus on higher-end and luxury residential stock. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $35.6 million this financial year, underscoring solid business confidence in the local economy. Per capita residential construction in Ballina sits significantly below broader regional levels, tracking 67.0% below the average for Rest of NSW.
Such limited supply additions generally place upward pressure on pricing and demand for established dwellings. Activity also remains subdued against national standards, highlighting the established nature of the suburb alongside potential regulatory and land constraints. Approved construction encompasses 55.0% detached dwellings alongside 45.0% medium and high-density housing, delivering a balanced distribution of apartments, townhouses, and family residences to suit diverse household budgets. An average ratio of 603 people per dwelling approval illustrates the constrained development pipeline. Moving forward, the community is projected to absorb an additional 2,928 residents through to 2041, based on recent quarterly modeling from AreaSearch. If dwelling approval numbers persist at their historical tempo, housing supply will face significant pressure to accommodate inbound population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and supporting higher capital values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Ballina
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 15 current infrastructure and development projects inside Ballina, worth an estimated $276 million. A further 113 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $7.29 billion. 27 are already under construction and 43 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Community outcomes and economic activity are heavily shaped by public capital works, major development projects, and urban planning initiatives. AreaSearch has tracked a total of 31 significant projects across the locality, highlighted by developments such as Solhaven, the Ballina District Hospital Redevelopment, Total Tools Ballina, and the New Ballina SES Headquarters, with further details on significant undertakings provided below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
New Ballina SES Headquarters
A purpose-built NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Ballina Unit headquarters and Emergency Operations Centre. The $6.3 million facility replaces an outdated building with a six-bay vehicle shed, modern incident control area, training rooms, and administration offices. The project also features carparking, lighting upgrades, and significant landscaping including 80 new trees. Construction is being jointly funded by Ballina Shire Council and the NSW Government to enhance regional flood and disaster response capabilities.
Ballina District Hospital Redevelopment
Planning and site selection activities are underway for the future long-term clinical sustainability of Ballina District Hospital to serve the growing Northern Rivers region. Independent flood risk studies confirmed that the existing Cherry Street site is unsuitable for significant expansion due to new Probable Maximum Flood limits, shifting the project focus toward identifying a flood-safe greenfield site.
Solhaven
Solhaven is an impact-led, mixed-use micro-village offering 44 residential townhomes, commercial spaces, curated retail, and a wellness park. It features passive house design principles, eco-conscious construction, and aims to foster creativity and community living in the Northern Rivers.
Total Tools Ballina
The Total Tools Ballina development is a large-format retail project featuring triple street frontage for enhanced visibility and accessibility. It aims to create a specialist trade and retail hub with Total Tools as the anchor tenant, emphasizing design excellence, customer experience, and sustainability.
Solhaven Ballina
Solhaven is a masterplanned mixed-use village spanning residential dwellings, creative suites, curated retail spaces, and wellness amenities. Developed by Cadre, the precinct is designed to foster community living and regional renewal in West Ballina.
Crowley Aged Care Redevelopment
The $22 million multi-stage redevelopment and expansion of the Crowley aged care facility in Ballina, enhancing existing amenities and adding new facilities including a 42-room residential care building, two-story education centre with library and conference rooms, upgraded dining and entertainment areas, new administration building, cafe, and associated civil works to provide high-quality aged care services.
Kingsford Smith Reserve Pump Track
Construction of new pump track facility at Kingsford Smith Reserve for BMX, mountain biking, and skateboarding activities.
Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Terminal and Infrastructure Upgrade
Major airport infrastructure upgrade program including $20.68 million runway overlay completed in 2023 with new LED lighting, expanded terminal facilities with enhanced check-in area, departure hall, baggage collection capacity, upgraded car parking with 650 spaces, additional taxiways and jet parking bays to support increasing passenger volumes at one of Australia's busiest regional airports.
7,931 residents of Ballina are employed, from a labour force of 8,301. Unemployment sits at 4.5%, with participation at 50.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Ballina possesses a qualified local labor pool centered around essential community sectors, recording an unemployment rate of 4.5% alongside a 2.9% annual rise in total employment. By March 2026, employed residents reached 7,931, with local joblessness tracking 0.4% higher than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%. Labor force participation is relatively subdued at 50.8%, trailing the 60.6% observed across Regional NSW. In addition, 14.6% of residents reported working from home during the Census, a figure influenced in part by prevailing Covid-19 health directives. The principal sectors employing local workers are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.
Concentration in health care & social assistance is particularly pronounced, registering 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for merely 2.1% of local employment, well beneath the 5.3% regional level. Although jobs exist within the area, comparison of working-age residents to local positions points to a meaningful portion of the workforce commuting to neighboring centers. According to SALM and ABS analysis by AreaSearch, the local workforce expanded by 4.0% while employment rose 2.9% over the past 12-month period, shifting the unemployment rate upward by 1.0 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW observed a 0.9% drop in total employment and a 0.4% contraction in the labor pool, while its unemployment rate rose 0.5 percentage points. According to Mar-26 employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, national employment is anticipated to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Weighting these sectoral projections against Ballina's industrial profile suggests local employment could expand by 6.9% across five years and 14.2% across ten years, noting this model serves as an illustrative industry-based extrapolation rather than a local demographic forecast.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Ballina is $1,150 a week (about $60,000 a year), with median personal income at $663 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $49,374 a year against an average of $64,544. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO postcode records compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place Ballina SA2 personal income below broader national medians, showing a median income of $49,374 and an average income of $64,544. These compare with Regional NSW benchmarks of $52,390 (median) and $65,215 (average). Factoring in the 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, updated estimates as of March 2026 reach approximately $54,469 for median earnings and $71,205 for average earnings. The 2021 Census placed personal, household, and family income metrics between the 10th and 21st percentiles across the country.
Weekly earnings of $400 - 799 form the largest local bracket at 27.4% (5,167 residents), differing from the regional norm where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates at 29.9%. Elevated living and housing costs leave residents with 80.6% of income uncommitted, placing local affordability at the 9th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Ballina had 8,077 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 58% detached houses and 8% apartments. 22% are owned with a mortgage, 35% rented and 43% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $390 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,733 a month. Rent absorbs 33.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 34.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, housing stock in Ballina was composed of 57.7% detached houses and 42.3% medium-to-high density or alternative dwelling structures (including apartments and semi-detached properties), compared to 82.6% separate houses and 17.4% other dwellings across Regional NSW. Outright home ownership reached 43.3%, surpassing regional rates, while mortgaged properties accounted for 21.6% and rental accommodation comprised 35.1%. Median monthly mortgage costs matched the Regional NSW benchmark at $1,733, while weekly rent averaged $390, higher than the $330 recorded in Regional NSW ($1,733 for monthly mortgages regionally).
Compared nationally, Ballina residents pay less than the Australian median mortgage of $1,863, but encounter rental costs above the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Ballina counted 8,077 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 17% are couples with children, fewer than in 92% of areas nationally, against 30% couples without children. 36% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units account for 60.0% of all local households, divided between couples without children (30.1%), couples with children (17.1%), and single parent families (11.9%). The remaining 40.0% consists of non-family living arrangements, primarily lone person residences at 35.8% alongside group housing at 4.2%. The area records an average household size of 2.1 people, which is more compact than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
21.9% of adults in Ballina hold a university qualification, including 15.8% with a bachelor degree and 3.7% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 27.1% hold a vocational qualification. 8 schools serve the area, with 3,283 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 985 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary qualification levels in the district present opportunities for growth, with 21.9% of residents holding a university degree relative to the statewide benchmark of 32.2%. Among degree holders, bachelor qualifications represent 15.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees (3.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Technical and vocational training is widely represented, with 38.8% of individuals aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, broken down into certificate-level qualifications (27.1%) and advanced diplomas (11.7%). A total of 24.0% of local inhabitants are currently enrolled in formal schooling or study. This student cohort is distributed across primary education (8.0%), secondary institutions (6.6%), and tertiary programs (3.0%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Ballina reaches 399 stops on 83 routes, timetabled for about 1,400 services a week. The typical home sits about 100 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.1 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transportation infrastructure in Ballina comprises 399 active bus and rail stops serviced across 83 routes, generating 1,429 weekly transit trips. Stop connectivity is strong, with typical residential dwellings situated 100 meters from their closest boarding point. The local commuter base travels predominantly outward, with private vehicles accounting for 90% of journeys, followed by walking at 5% and cycling at 3%. Average vehicle ownership stands at 1.1 per dwelling, below regional norms, while 14.6% of workers recorded working from home in the 2021 Census under prevailing COVID-19 settings. Network scheduling delivers an average of 204 daily transit trips across all routes, which corresponds to around 3 weekly trips per individual stop.
The spatial layout of the 100 closest transit stops relative to the centerpoint is illustrated on the accompanying map.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
58.6% of residents in Ballina report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 76% of areas nationally. 9.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Analysis of mortality statistics and chronic disease rates by AreaSearch indicates clear public health challenges across Ballina, with common medical conditions prevalent throughout both older and younger demographics. Furthermore, private healthcare coverage remains moderate, covering approximately 51% of the broader community (~9,655 people). Arthritis and mental health conditions constitute the most widespread medical issues locally, diagnosed in 11.4 and 9.7% of the populace, respectively. Meanwhile, 58.6% of residents reported having no long-term health ailments, below the 63.3% figure across Regional NSW. Chronic conditions are elevated within the local workforce. Seniors aged 65 and over represent 34.3% of the community (6,476 people), notably exceeding the Regional NSW proportion of 23.3%, with overall senior health metrics aligning with broad national patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Ballina is largely Australian-born, at 86.7% of residents, with 5.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (32.4%) and Australian (28.6%). 3.4% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Ballina exhibits lower cultural heterogeneity than broader benchmarks, with Australian citizens making up 89.5% of residents, 86.7% of the population born in Australia, and 94.8% speaking exclusively English at home. Christianity stands as the predominant religious affiliation, representing 54.5% of the population, closely mirroring the 55.9% recorded across Regional NSW. Regarding parental ancestry, the primary reported backgrounds among residents are English (32.4%), Australian (28.6%), and Irish (10.2%). Several other ethnic heritages show divergence from regional averages: Scottish ancestry represents 8.9% locally (against 8.0% across the region), Australian Aboriginal heritage comprises 3.4% (compared to 4.6% regionally), and French heritage accounts for 0.5% (against 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Ballina is 52, older than 95% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 18.3% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The local age profile leans heavily toward mature demographics, with senior and retiree cohorts aged 65+ making up 34.3% of the population as at August 2026, compared to 23.3% across Regional NSW. In contrast, younger residents aged 0 - 24 represent 22.3% of the community, below the regional proportion of 29.3%. Median age is estimated at 52 years, easing from 53 at the 2021 Census, but remaining 9 years older than the Regional NSW median of 43 and above the national median of 38 recorded at that Census. The most noticeable cohort shift since the Census occurred among mature adults aged 45 - 64, decreasing from 24.8% to an estimated 23.0%.
Looking toward 2041, seniors are projected to constitute the bulk of net expansion, rising by 1,402 residents (22%) to a total of 7,878, while adults aged 25 - 44 are forecast to register the quickest growth rate at 25%, reaching 4,796.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Ballina
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 this month all 15 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 201 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (18,629 at the 2021 Census → 18,859 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (112011236). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.