Ballina Surrounds

Population growth drivers in Ballina Surrounds are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Ballina Surrounds' population is approximately 19,248 as of November 2025. This represents an increase of 921 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 18,327. The growth was inferred from ABS estimated resident population data of 19,076 in June 2024 and validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 47 persons per square kilometer. Ballina Surrounds' 5% growth exceeded the SA4 region's 3.3%, indicating it as a growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 48% to overall population gains, with all factors including overseas migration and natural growth being positive contributors.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 based on 2022 data, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas until 2041. By 2041, Ballina Surrounds is projected to increase by 4,940 persons, reflecting a total gain of 24.8%.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Ballina Surrounds among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Ballina Surrounds has seen approximately 121 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 609 homes. As of FY26, 33 approvals have been recorded. On average, this equates to 1.9 new residents per year per dwelling constructed between FY21 and FY25. The market appears balanced with stable conditions, as new dwellings are developed at an average cost of $561,000.

This financial year has seen $12.1 million in commercial approvals, indicating moderate commercial development activity. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Ballina Surrounds shows moderately higher development activity, balancing buyer choice while supporting current property values. New developments consist of 65% standalone homes and 35% medium and high-density housing, expanding affordable compact alternatives. This differs from the current housing mix of 86% houses, reflecting reduced development site availability and shifting lifestyle demands.

Ballina Surrounds reflects a low density area with around 193 people per approval. Future projections estimate an addition of 4,766 residents by 2041, with construction maintaining pace but potential growing competition among buyers as population increases.

Ballina Surrounds has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 47 projects likely influencing the region. Notable projects include the Alstonville Cultural Centre Upgrade, Alstonville Medical Centre at 12 Commercial Road, Alstonville Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade, and the 104 Main Street Mixed-Use Development. Below is a list of particularly relevant projects.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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The labour market in Ballina Surrounds shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Ballina Surrounds has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 2.1%.

In this month, 9,081 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.5% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Ballina Surrounds is 59.4%, compared to 56.4% in Rest of NSW. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. The area has a strong specialization in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Public administration & safety is under-represented, with only 5.3% of Ballina Surrounds' workforce compared to 7.5% in Rest of NSW. Over the 12 months to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 4.8%, alongside a 4.4% employment decline, causing unemployment to fall by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced an employment decline of 0.1% and labour force growth of 0.3%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. To Nov-25, state-level data shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest Ballina Surrounds' employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Ballina Surrounds SA2's median income among taxpayers was $45,426 and average income stood at $60,357 in financial year 2022. These figures are below the national averages of $49,459 for median income and $62,998 for average income in Rest of NSW. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since then, current estimates would be approximately $51,154 (median) and $67,968 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family, and personal incomes all rank modestly in Ballina Surrounds, between the 38th and 39th percentiles. The earnings profile shows that 32.2% of individuals earn between $1,500 - 2,999, reflecting regional patterns where similarly 29.9% occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 84.9% of income remaining, ranking at the 41st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Ballina Surrounds is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Ballina Surrounds' dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 86.5% houses and 13.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 76.1% houses and 23.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ballina Surrounds stood at 44.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.9% and rented ones at 22.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,900, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $2,080, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $410, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $460. Nationally, Ballina Surrounds' mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Ballina Surrounds has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 73.9 percent of all households, including 29.7 percent couples with children, 32.0 percent couples without children, and 11.4 percent single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 26.1 percent, with lone person households at 23.0 percent and group households comprising 3.0 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

Educational attainment in Ballina Surrounds aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Ballina Shire's educational qualifications lag behind regional averages. As of 2016, 26.1% of residents aged 15+ held university degrees, compared to NSW's 32.2%. Bachelor degrees were the most common at 18.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.9%). Vocational credentials were prevalent, with 39.3% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 11.8% and certificates at 27.5%.

Educational participation was high, with 27.1% of residents enrolled in formal education as of 2016. This included 10.1% in primary education, 8.2% in secondary education, and 3.3% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Ballina Surrounds has 621 active public transport stops, served by a mix of train and bus services. These stops are connected by 69 individual routes that collectively offer 888 weekly passenger trips. Residents have excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 143 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency across all routes averages 126 trips per day, equating to approximately one weekly trip per stop.

Health performance in Ballina Surrounds is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Ballina Shire faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (around 9,624 people), compared to 52.3% across the Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues impact 8.9% of residents, while arthritis affects 8.8%.

Around 66.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 68.0% across the Rest of NSW. The area has approximately 23.8% of residents aged 65 and over (around 4,579 people). Health outcomes among seniors in Ballina Shire are above average, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

Ballina Surrounds is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Ballina Surrounds had a lower cultural diversity, with 87.3% of its population born in Australia, 91.9% being citizens, and 95.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 52.0%. However, Judaism was overrepresented at 0.2%, compared to 0.6% regionally.

The top three ancestry groups were English (32.3%), Australian (29.3%), and Irish (9.9%). There were notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Welsh was overrepresented at 0.7% versus 0.6%, Scottish at 8.8% versus 9.0%, and Australian Aboriginal at 2.7% versus 2.2%.

Ballina Surrounds hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Ballina Surrounds has a median age of 46, which is higher than Rest of NSW's figure of 43 and significantly higher than Australia's national norm of 38. The age group of 55-64 shows strong representation at 13.6%, compared to Rest of NSW, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 9.9%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 35-44 age group has grown from 11.1% to 11.9% of the population. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 13.5% to 12.4%. By 2041, Ballina Surrounds is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 25-34 group growing by 43%, adding 809 people to reach a total of 2,709 from 1,899. The 15-24 cohort grows by a modest 7%, adding 145 people.