Ballina

Ballina lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area around the suburb of Ballina, its population is estimated at approximately 9,933 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 198 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,735 people in the suburb. The change is inferred from the resident population of 9,862 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and an additional 124 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 485 persons per square kilometer in the suburb. Over the past decade, Ballina has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%, outpacing the SA4 region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 57% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking at population projections moving forward, an above median population growth of Australian non-metropolitan areas is projected, with the suburb expected to grow by 1,967 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 19.1% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Ballina when compared nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Ballina experienced around 26 dwellings receiving development approval annually. Over the past 5 financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 132 homes were approved, with a further 10 approved so far in FY-26. This indicates an average of 2.5 people moving to the area per new home constructed over these years, suggesting healthy demand that supports property values.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $750,000, reflecting a developer focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. This year, $10.1 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating steady commercial investment activity. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Ballina records markedly lower building activity, at 54.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes, although recent construction activity has intensified. Nationally, Ballina's building activity is also lower, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity shows 48.0% detached dwellings and 52.0% medium and high-density housing, creating more affordable entry points and suiting downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers.

With around 298 people per dwelling approval, Ballina exhibits characteristics of a low density area. Population forecasts indicate Ballina will gain 1,896 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Ballina has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects that may impact this region. Notable projects include New Ballina SES Headquarters, Total Tools Ballina, Ballina District Hospital Redevelopment, and Solhaven. The following details those expected to be most relevant.

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

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.

Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.8%, Ballina has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Ballina has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.8%. Over the past year, it has shown relative employment stability.

As of December 2025, 3941 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.6%, 0.2% below Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is lower at 47.1%, compared to Regional NSW's 61.3%. According to Census responses, only 12.0% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food.

Ballina has a strong specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. However, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, with only 2.2% of Ballina's workforce compared to 5.3% in Regional NSW. The ratio of 0.7 workers per resident indicates a higher than normal level of local employment opportunities. Between December 2024 and December 2025, the labour force decreased by 0.0%, while employment decreased by 0.3%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW saw employment contract by 1.2%, the labour force fall by 0.8%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Ballina's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, though these are simple weighting extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 indicates that Ballina's median income among taxpayers is $42,399. The average income in the suburb was $56,975 during this period. Both figures are below the national averages. In comparison, Regional NSW had a median income of $52,390 and an average of $65,215 for the same year. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates suggest that Ballina's median income would be approximately $46,156 by September 2025, with an average of around $62,023 during the same period. According to Census 2021 data, incomes in Ballina fall between the 3rd and 13th percentiles nationally for household, family, and personal incomes. The earnings profile shows that 30.5% of individuals in Ballina earn within the $400 - 799 range, unlike regional trends where a higher proportion falls within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Ballina, with only 77.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 4th percentile nationally.

Ballina displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Ballina's housing structure, as per the latest Census, consists of 53.2% houses and 46.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ballina stands at 39.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 19.7% and rented ones at 40.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733, aligning with Regional NSW's average. The median weekly rent is $360, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Ballina's mortgage repayments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are less than the national figure of $375.

Ballina features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 53.8% of all households, including 14.3% that are couples with children, 26.9% that are couples without children, and 11.8% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 46.2%, with lone person households at 41.8% and group households comprising 4.4%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Ballina fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 19.0%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 13.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 11.2% and certificates at 27.6%. A total of 23.1% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, including 7.6% in primary, 6.1% in secondary, and 2.9% in tertiary education.

A substantial 23.1% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 7.6% in primary education, 6.1% in secondary education, and 2.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Ballina has 187 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are covered by 71 routes, providing 1,351 weekly passenger trips in total. The average distance to the nearest stop for residents is 99 meters, indicating excellent accessibility. In this predominantly residential area, most commuting is outward-bound. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 86%, with walking and cycling accounting for 7% and 4% respectively. On average, there are 0.9 vehicles per dwelling, lower than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 12.0% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 193 trips per day across all routes, equating to about 7 weekly trips per stop. A map accompanies this data, showing the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

Health performance in Ballina is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Ballina faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Notably, both younger and older age cohorts exhibit high prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is relatively low in Ballina, at approximately 50% of the total population (around 4,917 people), compared to 51.9% across Regional NSW and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 11.9% of residents) and mental health issues (10.5%). Conversely, 54.7% of Ballina residents report no medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Working-age population health is notably challenging due to high chronic condition rates. Ballina has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 36.7% (around 3,645 people), than the Regional NSW average of 23.4%. While senior health outcomes in Ballina align with national rankings, they present certain challenges.

Ballina ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Ballina's population showed low cultural diversity, with 88.7% being citizens, 85.4% born in Australia, and 93.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 55.5%, slightly lower than Regional NSW's 55.9%. The top ancestral groups were English (32.3%), Australian (28.8%), and Irish (10.0%).

Scottish ancestry was higher in Ballina at 8.7% compared to the regional average of 8.0%. Australian Aboriginal ancestry was lower at 3.5%, against Regional NSW's 4.6%. French ancestry was also slightly higher, at 0.5% versus 0.4%.

Ballina ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Ballina's median age is 55 years, which is higher than Regional NSW's average of 43 years and older than Australia's national norm of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 75-84 make up 13.7% of the population, a figure significantly higher than both Regional NSW's and Australia's national averages of 6.1%. Meanwhile, the 5-14 age group constitutes only 8.2%, smaller compared to Regional NSW. Between 2021 and present, the 25-34 age group has increased from 9.1% to 10.5%, while the 35-44 cohort has grown from 9.6% to 11.0%. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort has decreased from 16.2% to 14.7%, and the 55-64 group has dropped from 13.0% to 11.8%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Ballina's age structure. The 85+ cohort is projected to rise substantially, increasing by 617 people (75%), from 824 to 1,442. Residents aged 65 and older are expected to represent 52% of the population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 55-64 and 15-24 age groups.