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 Feb 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Cumbalum is around 2,758. This reflects an increase of 547 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,211. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 2,705 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, along with an additional 262 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 183 persons per square kilometer. The suburb's growth rate of 24.7% since the 2021 census exceeded both the SA4 region (4.1%) and the Rest of NSW, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 48.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, a significant population increase is forecast for the top quartile of locations outside capital cities, with the suburb expected to expand by 875 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an overall gain of 29.8% over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Cumbalum when compared nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Cumbalum averaged around 43 new dwelling approvals per year over the past 5 financial years, totalling an estimated 219 homes. As of FY-26 so far, 29 approvals have been recorded. Over the same period, on average only 0.5 people moved to the area for each dwelling built, indicating supply meeting or surpassing demand and providing greater buyer choice while supporting potential population growth above projections. The average value of new homes being built is $561,000, suggesting developers focus on the premium market with high-end developments.

This financial year, $2.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, demonstrating the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to Rest of NSW, Cumbalum records 234.0% more building activity per person, providing ample buyer choice though recent activity has moderated. This activity is well above average nationally, reflecting strong developer confidence in the area. Recent construction comprises 63.0% detached houses and 37.0% medium and high-density housing, marking a significant departure from existing housing patterns (currently 94.0% houses), suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With around 78 people per dwelling approval, Cumbalum shows characteristics of a growth area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the population is forecasted to gain 822 residents by 2041.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Ballina Airport Boulevard & Southern Cross Industrial Estate Expansion, Southern Cross Industrial Estate Boeing Avenue, Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Terminal and Infrastructure Upgrade (scheduled for completion in 2023), and New Ballina SES Headquarters (commencing in late 2021).

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

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Employment conditions in Cumbalum rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Cumbalum has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 0.8% in December 2025, lower than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation was broadly similar to Regional NSW's 61.3%.

A moderate 17.6% of residents worked from home as per Census responses. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Retail trade has particular employment specialization with a share 1.5 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 1.6% versus the regional average of 5.3%.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. During the year to December 2025, employment levels increased by 0.2%, labour force by 0.1%, with unemployment essentially unchanged. This contrasts Regional NSW where employment fell by 1.2%, labour force contracted by 0.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 estimate national employment growth of 6.6% 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 and does not account for localised population projections.

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

The suburb of Cumbalum has a median taxpayer income of $54,547 and an average income of $72,476 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This is higher than the national average, which contrasts with Regional NSW's median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $59,380 (median) and $78,897 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Cumbalum are around the 71st percentile nationally. The earnings profile shows that 37.1% of residents (1,023 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, which is similar to the metropolitan region where 29.9% occupy this bracket. High housing costs consume 16.5% of income in Cumbalum, 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. In comparison, Regional NSW had 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cumbalum was at 32.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 48.2% and rented ones at 19.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,167, above Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Cumbalum was $610, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Cumbalum's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 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 constitute 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%, exceeding the Rest of NSW average of 21.3% and the SA4 region average of 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

The analysis of public transport in Cumbalum indicates that there are nine active transport stops currently operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with ten individual routes providing service. Together, these routes facilitate 154 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in Cumbalum is rated as good, with residents typically located approximately 238 meters from their nearest transport stop. As a predominantly residential area, most residents commute outward for work or other purposes. The car remains the primary mode of transportation, used by 98% of residents.

On average, there are 1.9 vehicles per dwelling in Cumbalum, which is higher than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 17.6% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 22 trips per day, translating to approximately 17 weekly trips per individual stop.

Cumbalum's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Cumbalum. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low across both young and old age cohorts.

Private health cover was found to be very high at approximately 56% of the total population (~1,532 people), compared to 51.9% across Regional NSW. The most common medical conditions in the area were mental health issues (10.1%) and asthma (8.6%). 70.8% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. The under-65 population demonstrates better than average health outcomes. As of 2021, the area has 13.7% of residents aged 65 and over (377 people), which is 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, as per the findings, exhibited below-average cultural diversity with 85.1% of its population born in Australia, 90.6% being citizens, and 93.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was identified as the predominant religion in Cumbalum, representing 50.4% of the population. Notably, Buddhism showed an overrepresentation with 1.7% of the population compared to the regional average of 0.9%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were Australian at 31.0%, English at 29.4%, and Irish at 8.5%. Other ethnic groups with notable divergences included New Zealanders at 1.2% (vs regional 0.4%), Hungarians at 0.3% (vs regional 0.2%), and Welsh at 0.6% (vs regional 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 make up 16.3% of the population, while those aged 75-84 comprise only 3.8%. Between 2021 and the present, the proportion of Cumbalum's population aged 25 to 34 has increased from 11.9% to 12.9%, while the 45 to 54 age group has decreased from 13.8% to 12.0%. The proportion of those aged 5 to 14 has also dropped, from 16.2% to 15.0%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate that the number of people in Cumbalum aged 25 to 34 is expected to increase by 169 individuals, rising from 355 to 525.