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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Ballina is $958k, with units at $750k. House values have moved 1.2% 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 9,995 residents, up from 9,735 at the 2021 Census — a change of 260 people, or 2.7%. Growth has averaged 0.8% a year over five years, slower than 75% of areas nationally. 149 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. That puts 488 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
According to municipal updates from the ABS and fresh address verification by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Ballina has an estimated population of 9,995 in May 2026. This indicates a growth of 260 people (2.7%) from the Census in 2021, when the population stood at 9,735. The update is derived from a resident count of 9,968, calculated by AreaSearch using the ABS ERP figures from June 2025 alongside 149 validated new addresses registered after the Census. This population level translates to 488 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and space for future development.
Over the last ten years, the suburb of Ballina has shown steady growth with a 1.5% compound annual rate, which is higher than the SA4 region. Population expansion was mostly driven by interstate arrivals, who represented approximately 56.99999999999999% of total gains in recent times. AreaSearch incorporates regional projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. For locations lacking this data, projections from the NSW Government released in 2022 with a 2021 baseline are substituted. Age-specific growth trends from these datasets are projected forward for the years 2032 to 2041. Future demographic projections suggest the suburb of Ballina will experience growth exceeding the median for non-metropolitan Australian communities, with an estimated addition of 1,788 residents by 2041, representing a total increase of 17.6% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
146 new dwellings have been approved in Ballina over the past five years, an average of 29 a year. That places the area in the 60th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 3 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 25 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 52% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 22, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis of construction approvals indicates that the suburb of Ballina averages approximately 29 residential approvals annually. This totals 146 approved homes over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), with 21 recorded during the current FY-26 period. An average of 2.7 people relocated to the area for every new home built between FY-21 and FY-25, showing steady demand that supports property values. The average construction cost for these new homes is $750,000, indicating that developers are focusing on upmarket, premium properties. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $10.1 million this financial year, showing stable investment in local business infrastructure.
Compared to the Rest of NSW, building activity per person in this location is roughly half, placing it in the 56th percentile of all assessed Australian areas, even with a recent rise in building approvals. The rate is also lower than the national benchmark, which indicates a mature market and potential developmental barriers. Current residential builds consist of 52.0% detached houses and 48.0% multi-unit options, with a growing selection of apartments and townhouses catering to diverse budgets from families to individuals seeking compact homes. With approximately 280 people for every home approved, the area displays low-density attributes. Demographic forecasts suggest the suburb of Ballina will add 1,761 residents through to 2041, starting from the most recent quarterly estimate by AreaSearch. If current building rates persist, residential supply may not keep pace with population growth, which could increase competition among buyers and support higher property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Ballina
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 11 current infrastructure and development projects inside Ballina, worth an estimated $219 million. A further 76 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $3 billion. 19 are already under construction and 28 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
Local infrastructure projects, planning changes, and development initiatives are key drivers of regional growth. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects expected to influence this locality. Some of the most significant projects include the New Ballina SES Headquarters, Total Tools Ballina, the Ballina District Hospital Redevelopment, and Solhaven.
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.
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.
Mana Ballina (Norton Street Villas)
An exclusive development of 14 luxury three-bedroom villas inspired by Palm Springs architecture, designed by C2 Architecture with interiors by Mon Palmer from Bare Cabo. Located opposite North Creek, the development features organic colour palette, hit and miss brickwork, stone cladding, and timber-look panels. North-facing villas (1-7) offer 220sqm internal space with private terrace and day bed, while south-facing villas (8-14) provide 226sqm internal space with private balcony and first-floor living with 3.9m ceiling heights.
4,077 residents of Ballina are employed, from a labour force of 4,257. Unemployment sits at 4.2%, with participation at 48.4%. 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. The working-day population is estimated at 11,266, about 113% of the resident population, so the area draws in more workers than it sends out. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local workforce is characterized by strong representation in essential service sectors, an unemployment rate of 4.2%, and a 3.6% growth in employment over the previous year. As of March 2026, there are 4,077 employed residents. The unemployment rate is 0.1% higher than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, while workforce participation is low, sitting at 48.4% compared to 60.6% across Regional NSW. Census data indicates that only 12.0% of working residents performed their duties from home, though this figure was likely impacted by pandemic lockdowns. The primary sectors employing residents are retail trade, accommodation & food, and health care & social assistance.
The health care & social assistance sector is particularly strong, employing workers at 1.4 times the regional rate. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 2.2% of the workforce, compared to the regional average of 5.3%. There were 0.7 workers for every resident at the time of the Census, showing a higher density of local job opportunities than average. According to employment data for the year ending March 2026, local employment grew by 3.6% and the total labor force grew by 4.6%, leading to a 1.0 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. This stands in contrast to Regional NSW, which saw employment fall by 0.9%, the labor force contract by 0.4%, and unemployment rise by 0.5 percentage points. Long-term national employment projections from May-25 offer additional context on future demand in the area. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future growth. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely by sector. Applying these trends to the local workforce suggests employment could rise by 6.9% over five years and 14.3% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Ballina is $1,013 a week (about $53,000 a year), with median personal income at $615 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $42,399 a year against an average of $56,975. 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
Based on tax data from the ATO released for financial year 2023, the median income for taxpayers in this locality is $42,399, with an average of $56,975. This is lower than national figures and compares to a median of $52,390 and an average of $65,215 across Regional NSW. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 are approximately $46,775 for the median and $62,855 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes all ranked between the 3rd and 13th percentiles nationwide.
A significant 30.5% of the population (3,048 individuals) earn between $400 - 799, whereas the broader region sees 29.9% of residents earning in the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Housing costs consume a significant portion of earnings, leaving only 77.7% of income disposable, which ranks in the 4th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Ballina had 4,357 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 53% detached houses and 10% apartments. 20% are owned with a mortgage, 41% rented and 40% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $360 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,733 a month. Rent absorbs 35.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 39.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential structures in the area at the time of the Census consisted of 53.2% houses and 46.8% alternative dwellings, such as apartments and semi-detached properties. This is distinct from Regional NSW, where houses make up 82.6% and other dwellings comprise 17.4%. The rate of home ownership is identical to the regional benchmark at 39.6%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (19.7%) or rented (40.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment is $1,733, matching the Regional NSW average, while the median weekly rent is $360, compared to regional figures of $1,733 and $330.
Nationally, local mortgage payments are below the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Ballina counted 4,357 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.0 people each. 14% are couples with children, fewer than in 95% of areas nationally, against 27% couples without children. 42% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families comprise 53.8% of all households, consisting of 14.3% couples with children, 26.9% couples without children, and 11.8% single parents. Non-family households represent the remaining 46.2%, with single-person households making up 41.8% and group households accounting for 4.4%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
19.0% of adults in Ballina hold a university qualification, including 13.5% with a bachelor degree and 3.4% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 27.6% hold a vocational qualification. 5 schools serve the area, with 1,800 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 965 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
The region displays below-average rates of tertiary education, with 19.0% of residents holding a university qualification compared to the NSW state average of 32.2%. Among these qualifications, bachelor degrees are most common at 13.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.4% and graduate diplomas at 2.1%. Conversely, vocational and technical training is common, with 38.8% of residents aged 15+ holding credentials, including 11.2% with advanced diplomas and 27.6% with certificates. A total of 23.1% of the population is enrolled in formal education. This group consists of 7.6% in primary school, 6.1% in high school, and 2.9% in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Ballina reaches 187 stops on 71 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 0.9 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 transport infrastructure consists of 187 active train and bus stops. These stops support 71 routes that provide 1,351 passenger trips every week. Accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 99 meters from the closest stop. Most residents travel outside the suburb for work, with 86% commuting by private car, 7% walking, and 4% cycling. Vehicle ownership is below the regional average at 0.9 cars per household. A low 12.0% of the workforce worked from home, based on 2021 Census data collected during pandemic conditions. Services run an average of 193 times daily across all routes, which averages out to approximately 7 trips per week for each transit stop.
The local map highlights the 100 closest transit stops to the central point of the area.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
54.7% of residents in Ballina report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 89% of areas nationally. 11.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 49.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 8.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Local health statistics indicate significant challenges, with high mortality rates and chronic illnesses observed across different age groups. The rate of private health insurance is relatively low, covering approximately 50% of the population (~4,948 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health concerns are the most common medical diagnoses, affecting 11.9% and 10.5% of residents, respectively. Only 54.7% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents experience high rates of chronic health issues.
Seniors aged 65 and over make up 37.2% of the population (3,718 people), which is higher than the Regional NSW average of 23.4%. Health profiles for these older residents are generally in line with national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Ballina is largely Australian-born, at 85.4% of residents, with 6.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (32.3%) and Australian (28.8%). 3.5% 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
The local population displays lower levels of cultural diversity than the national average, with citizens making up 88.7% of the population, 85.4% born in Australia, and 93.9% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, followed by 55.5% of residents, which is similar to the 55.9% recorded across Regional NSW. Regarding family backgrounds, the most common ancestries are English at 32.3%, Australian at 28.8%, and Irish at 10.0%. Some ethnic groups show distinct concentrations relative to the region, with Scottish heritage overrepresented at 8.7% (compared to 8.0% regionally), French heritage at 0.5% (compared to 0.4%), and Australian Aboriginal heritage at 3.5% (compared to 4.6%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Ballina is 55, older than 97% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 18.6% 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 median age of 55 years is higher than the Regional NSW average of 43 and the national average of 38. The 75 - 84 age group is highly represented at 14.3%, while the 5 - 14 cohort is smaller at 8.2% compared to Regional NSW. The proportion of residents aged 75 - 84 is higher than the national average of 6.1%. Since 2021, the 35 to 44 cohort grew from 9.6% to 11.0% and the 75 to 84 cohort rose from 13.0% to 14.3%, while the 65 to 74 group fell from 16.2% to 14.6%.
Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections suggest the number of residents aged 85+ will grow by 608 people (73%), from 829 to 1,438. Residents aged 65 and older are expected to account for 53% of all population growth, while declines are projected for the 55 to 64 and 15 to 24 age groups.
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 Suburb (SAL) 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) | May 2026 3 months ago 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 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 11 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 — 149 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (9,735 at the 2021 Census → 9,995 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 May 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 (SAL10163). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.