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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 West Ballina is $935k, with units at $750k. House values have moved 1.0% 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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West Ballina has an estimated 3,214 residents. That puts 346 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 the latest demographic estimates compiled by AreaSearch utilizing ABS regional updates alongside post-Census address verification, West Ballina is home to approximately 3,214 residents as of May 2026. This represents a minor decrease of 16 individuals (0.5%) relative to the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 3,230. The estimate is calculated from a base resident count of 3,211 derived from the June 2025 ABS Estimated Resident Population release, supplemented by 6 new addresses confirmed since the Census. With this population level, the density stands at 346 residents per square kilometer, indicating low density with potential space for future residential projects.
Most of the population increases in recent times were generated by arrivals from other states, which accounted for approximately 56.99999999999999% of total demographic growth. Projections utilize SA2-level data released by the ABS and Geoscience Australia in 2024, using 2022 as the baseline. For regions not covered in that release, the NSW State Government's SA2 projections from 2022 (with a 2021 base year) are substituted. Age-specific growth trends from these data sets are applied to projections spanning 2032 through 2041. Based on these demographic models, regions outside capital cities are projected to see above-median expansion, with West Ballina anticipated to add 443 residents by 2041, representing a total growth rate of 13.7% over the 16-year period.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
West Ballina undergoes highly restricted building activity, with an average of 2 permits granted annually, amounting to 14 permits over the previous five years. This minimal development rate is typical for non-urban settings where demand for new housing remains low and local infrastructure and market requirements restrict building volume. Because the volume of permits is so small, year-on-year variations and relative growth rates can fluctuate significantly depending on the timing of specific projects. Compared to the Rest of NSW, West Ballina has exceptionally low development volumes, a trend that is also reflected when compared to national averages.
Of the new permits issued, 67.0% are for detached dwellings and 33.0% are for medium to high-density options, with an increasing variety of townhouses and apartments offering diverse choices ranging from standard houses to smaller, lower-cost alternatives. The ratio of 3216 residents for every single approved dwelling permit underscores the quiet and low-volume nature of local building activity. Long-term forecasts suggest West Ballina will add 440 residents by 2041, based on the most recent quarterly projections from AreaSearch. If the current pace of construction persists, the creation of new housing may fail to keep up with demographic growth, which could increase buyer competition and support higher property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around West Ballina
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 4 current infrastructure and development projects inside West Ballina, worth an estimated $57 million. A further 71 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $3.56 billion. 16 are already under construction and 26 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and communities, precincts & urban renewal. 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, major planning decisions, and development initiatives are key drivers of regional growth. AreaSearch has identified 8 major projects that are expected to influence the local area. The most significant of these developments include Solhaven, the Ballina District Hospital Redevelopment, the Ballina Marina Master Plan, and the Fun 'N' Sun Motel Rebuild, with details of the most relevant projects listed below.
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
Solhaven
Solhaven is an impact-led, mixed-use micro-village offering 44 residential townhomes, commercial spaces, curated retail, and a wellness park. It features passive house design principles, eco-conscious construction, and aims to foster creativity and community living in the Northern Rivers.
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.
Fun 'N' Sun Motel Rebuild
28 three-storey shop-top housing apartments with commercial space on the ground floor are proposed, replacing Fun 'n' Sun Motel. The development features a central green space and a facade designed for cooling.
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.
Ballina Marina Master Plan
Redevelopment of the West Ballina Trawler Harbour site into a mixed-use marina with commercial, residential, and boating infrastructure.
Riverbend West Ballina
A Manufactured Housing Village for persons over 55 years of age, offering a range of preloved homes.
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.
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.
1,233 residents of West Ballina are employed, from a labour force of 1,314. Unemployment sits at 6.2%, with participation at 46.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,954, about 123% 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 in West Ballina features a balanced mix of professional and manual occupations, with a solid base of employment in essential public services. The unemployment rate stands at 6.2%, and employment grew by an estimated 1.8% over the past year, according to aggregated statistical reports. In March 2026, there were 1,233 employed locals, while the unemployment rate was 2.1% higher than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%. Workforce participation is relatively low, standing at 46.7% compared to the 60.6% recorded across Regional NSW. Census data indicates that only 12.1% of local workers worked from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic containment measures.
The largest sectors of employment for local residents are healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The community shows a strong concentration in retail trade, where the proportion of workers is 1.4 times the regional standard. Conversely, public administration and safety is underrepresented, employing 5.2% of workers compared to the regional average of 7.5%. With 0.9 jobs available locally for every resident at the time of the Census, the area offers substantial local employment options. According to data from the ABS and SALM aggregated across broader statistical divisions, local employment expanded by 1.8% over the 12-month period while the overall labor force grew by 3.1%, leading to a rise in the unemployment rate of 1.2 percentage points. This differs from Regional NSW, which experienced a 0.9% decrease in employment, a 0.4% decline in the total labor force, and a 0.5 percentage point increase in unemployment. National employment forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 provide further context for future employment patterns. These national projections, spanning five and ten years, have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future growth. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, although rates differ by sector. Applying these trends to the local industry mix suggests West Ballina's employment could rise by 6.5% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, based on a simple weighted extrapolation that does not account for local population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in West Ballina is $1,015 a week (about $53,000 a year), with median personal income at $601 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $41,434 a year against an average of $55,678. 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
According to the latest ATO tax data at the postcode level for the 2023 financial year, local incomes in West Ballina are below the national average, with a median of $41,434 and an average of $55,678. These figures are lower than the Regional NSW median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Adjusted for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be approximately $45,710 for the median and $61,424 for the average. Census data places household, family, and individual incomes in West Ballina within the lowest bands nationally, ranging between the 3rd and 11th percentiles.
In terms of brackets, the $400 - 799 weekly income range contains 31.1% of residents (999 people), whereas regionally the most common bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, containing 29.9% of the population. Housing costs consume a significant portion of earnings, leaving just 80.4% of income remaining, which ranks in the 4th percentile nationally for affordability.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
West Ballina had 1,391 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 68% detached houses and 4% apartments. 22% are owned with a mortgage, 29% rented and 50% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $370 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,863 a month. Rent absorbs 36.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 42.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the Census, residential property types in West Ballina consisted of 67.9% detached houses and 32.1% alternative dwellings such as townhouses, units, and other structures. This compares to Regional NSW where houses make up 82.6% of dwellings and other structures account for 17.4%. Outright home ownership was high at 49.8%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 21.8% and rented dwellings making up 28.5%. The median monthly mortgage payment was higher than the regional average of $1,733 at $1,863, while the median weekly rent was $370 compared to the regional figure of $330.
Nationally, mortgage payments match the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are slightly below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
West Ballina counted 1,391 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 16% are couples with children, fewer than in 94% of areas nationally, against 34% couples without children. 33% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units account for 64.4% of all households in the area, consisting of couples with children (15.8%), couples without children (34.4%), and single-parent households (13.2%). Non-family living arrangements make up the remaining 35.6%, which consists of single-person households at 32.6% and group housing at 3.1%. The median household size stands at 2.1 people, which is lower than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
15.0% of adults in West Ballina hold a university qualification, including 11.5% with a bachelor degree and 2.0% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 30.1% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 880 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,115 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
Educational outcomes present opportunities for improvement, as the proportion of residents with a university qualification (15.0%) is lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This creates a clear case for targeted local education programs. Among those with university credentials, bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees (2.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational and technical training is common, with 41.7% of residents aged 15 and over holding a trade qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.6%) and certificates (30.1%). A significant proportion of the local population, totaling 23.7%, is enrolled in some form of study.
This is made up of 8.4% of residents attending primary school, 7.3% in secondary school, and 2.4% enrolled in tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in West Ballina reaches 93 stops on 27 routes, timetabled for about 490 services a week. The typical home sits about 100 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.1 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
A review of public transport options shows 93 active bus stops operating in West Ballina, serviced by 27 distinct routes that run a combined total of 487 weekly services. Transport access is highly convenient, with the average distance to a stop being 95 meters. As a residential suburb, most workers travel outside the area for employment, with private cars being the primary mode of transport at 90%, and 4% of residents walking. The average number of vehicles per household is 1.1, which is below the regional norm. A minor proportion of residents (12.1%) worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic restrictions.
Bus routes in the area provide an average of 69 trips per day, which translates to approximately 5 weekly services for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
56.5% of residents in West Ballina report no long-term health condition. 8.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 49.0% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Based on mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic health conditions, West Ballina faces notable public health issues across multiple age cohorts, with private health insurance coverage relatively low at approximately 49% of the population (about 1,574 residents). This is below the Regional NSW average of 51.9% and the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent health issues recorded among residents are arthritis and mental health conditions, affecting 12.4% and 9.6% of the population respectively. Meanwhile, 56.5% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW.
Chronic illness rates are elevated among the working-age cohort. Furthermore, seniors aged 65 and over make up 35.0% of the population (1,124 people), which is significantly higher than the Regional NSW average of 23.4%, with national health comparisons for the area ranking below average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
West Ballina is largely Australian-born, at 89.3% of residents, with 3.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (33.0%) and Australian (30.7%). 5.5% 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
Cultural diversity in West Ballina is relatively low compared to broader benchmarks, with 88.6% of residents holding Australian citizenship, 89.3% born in the country, and 96.4% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, practiced by 58.6% of the population, which is slightly higher than the 55.9% recorded across Regional NSW. Looking at ancestral backgrounds based on parents' place of birth, the three most common ancestries in West Ballina are English (33.0%), Australian (30.7%), and Irish (8.4%). There are also notable differences in the representation of other groups compared to regional averages: Australian Aboriginal residents account for 5.5% of the population (compared to 4.6% regionally), New Zealand ancestry is at 0.8% (compared to 0.4% regionally), and Scottish ancestry stands at 8.1% (compared to 8.0% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of West Ballina is 53, older than 96% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 18.9% 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 West Ballina residents is 53, which is older than the Regional NSW average of 43 and the national average of 38. The suburb has a high concentration of residents aged 75 - 84, making up 14.7% of the population compared to 8.3% for those aged 25 - 34. This 75 - 84 cohort is also well represented compared to the national average of 6.1%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 13.1% to 14.7%, and the 35 to 44 age group increased from 8.7% to 9.9%.
Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort decreased from 18.6% to 16.9%, and those aged 55 to 64 declined from 13.6% to 12.5%. Looking forward to 2041, age structure forecasts indicate major shifts, led by a 24% increase in the 75 to 84 age bracket, which is expected to rise from 472 to 587 residents (an increase of 114 people), while the cohorts aged 65 to 74 and 55 to 64 are projected to decrease in size.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for West 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 | Jun 2026 2 months ago all 4 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 Jun 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 — 6 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,230 at the 2021 Census → 3,214 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 (SAL14257). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.