Cumbalum

Cumbalum lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As of May 2026, the population of the suburb of Cumbalum is estimated to be around 2,843 people. This figure represents an increase of 632 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,211 residents in the area. The current population estimate is based on AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS from June 2025, as well as an additional 284 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio for Cumbalum stands at approximately 188 persons per square kilometer. This level of space per person suggests potential room for further development in the suburb. The growth rate of 28.6% since the 2021 census exceeds both the SA4 region's growth rate of 3.7% and that of the Rest of NSW, positioning Cumbalum as a growth leader in the area.

Interstate migration contributed approximately 48.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth were positive factors. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, for areas covered by this data. For areas not covered, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year are utilized. Looking ahead, demographic trends indicate a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australia's regional areas is forecasted. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb of Cumbalum is expected to grow by 845 persons to reach 3,688 residents by 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 28.8% over the 16-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Cumbalum shows around 43 residential properties granted approval per year. Over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), approximately 219 homes were approved, with a further 41 approved so far in FY-26. This results in an average of 3.4 new residents per year for every home built over these years.

The demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically puts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers. New properties are constructed at an average value of $561,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, $2.4 million in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating the area's primarily residential nature compared to Rest of NSW. Cumbalum has 219.0% more construction activity per person than the rest of NSW, suggesting strong developer confidence in the location despite recent moderation in development activity. New building activity shows 63.0% detached houses and 37.0% townhouses or apartments, reflecting an increasing blend of attached housing types offering choices across price ranges. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition (currently 94.0% houses), indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles.

Cumbalum reflects a developing area with around 90 people per approval. Looking ahead, Cumbalum is expected to grow by 819 residents through to 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Cumbalum has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

AreaSearch has identified three projects that could significantly impact the area's performance. These key projects are: Ballina Airport Boulevard & Southern Cross Industrial Estate Expansion, Southern Cross Industrial Estate Boeing Avenue, Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Terminal and Infrastructure Upgrade, and New Ballina SES Headquarters. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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The exceptional employment performance in Cumbalum places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Cumbalum has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate is 0.9%, with an estimated employment growth of 4.2% over the past year, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, 1,591 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 3.1% lower than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Cumbalum stands at 72.5%, higher than Regional NSW's 60.5%. Based on Census responses, 17.6% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Retail trade is particularly specialized with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 1.6%.

Over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 4.2% and labour force by 4.1%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.1 percentage points. In comparison, Regional NSW saw employment decline of 1.2%, labour force decline of 0.8%, with unemployment rising 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Cumbalum's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

The suburb of Cumbalum had an income level above the national average according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year ended June 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Cumbalum was $54,547 and the average income was $72,476. This compares with figures for Regional NSW of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since June 2023, current estimates suggest approximately $60,176 (median) and $79,956 (average) as of March 2026. According to Census data from 2021, incomes in Cumbalum cluster around the 71st percentile nationally. In terms of income distribution, the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 37.1% of residents (1,054 people). High housing costs consume 16.5% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 75th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Cumbalum is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Cumbalum's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 93.7% houses and 6.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cumbalum stood at 32.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 48.2% and rented ones at 19.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, surpassing Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Cumbalum was recorded at $610, higher than Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Cumbalum's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

Cumbalum features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 86.4% of all households, including 44.8% couples with children, 29.9% couples without children, and 10.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 13.6%, with lone person households at 10.8% and group households comprising 2.9%. The median household size is 3.0 people, which is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Cumbalum demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 29.1%, higher than the Rest of NSW average of 21.3% and the SA4 region's 24.3%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 20.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.8%). Vocational credentials are held by 39.8% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.7% and certificates at 28.1%.

Educational participation is high, with 31.6% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.4% in primary education, 8.9% in secondary education, and 3.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Cumbalum has nine active public transport stops, all offering bus services. These stops are served by ten different routes that collectively facilitate 154 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically residing 238 meters from the nearest stop. Primarily residential, most Cumbalum residents commute outward, predominantly using cars (98%). Vehicle ownership averages 1.9 per dwelling, exceeding the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 17.6% of residents work from home, a figure possibly influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency across all routes averages 22 trips per day, equating to approximately 17 weekly trips per individual stop.

Cumbalum's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Cumbalum. AreaSearch's assessment found very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups.

The rate of private health cover was very high at approximately 56% of the total population (~1,579 people), compared to 51.9% across Regional NSW. The most common medical conditions were mental health issues and asthma, impacting 10.1 and 8.6% of residents respectively. Seventy point eight percent declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. The under-65 population demonstrates better than average health outcomes. Cumbalum has 14.4% of residents aged 65 and over (409 people), lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

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

Cumbalum's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 85.1% of its population born in Australia, 90.6% being citizens, and 93.0% speaking English only at home. The dominant religion in Cumbalum is Christianity, accounting for 50.4% of the population. Notably, Buddhism is overrepresented in Cumbalum, comprising 1.7% compared to Regional NSW's 0.9%.

Regarding ancestry, the top three groups are Australian (31.0%), English (29.4%), and Irish (8.5%). Some ethnic groups show significant differences: New Zealanders make up 1.2% of Cumbalum's population compared to 0.4% regionally, Hungarians comprise 0.3% versus 0.2%, and Welsh people account for 0.6% compared to 0.5%.

Cumbalum's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Cumbalum is 37 years, which is lower than Regional NSW's average of 43 and close to the national average of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 35-44 are prominent at 16.2%, while those aged 75-84 are smaller at 4.3%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has grown from 11.1% to 12.3%, while the 5-14 cohort has declined from 16.2% to 14.2% and the 45-54 group has dropped from 13.8% to 12.3%. By 2041, demographic projections show that the 25-34 age cohort is expected to increase significantly, growing by 161 people (44%) from 363 to 525.