West Ballina

West Ballina has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of November 2025, the estimated population for the West Ballina statistical area (Lv2) is around 3,316 people. This reflects an increase of 86 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,230 people. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of 3,301 residents following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, along with an additional four validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of approximately 357 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, West Ballina has demonstrated a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%, outpacing its SA4 region. Interstate migration contributed around 56.99999999999999% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the West Ballina (SA2) is projected to increase by 510 persons, reflecting a total increase of 14.3% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in West Ballina according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, West Ballina averaged around 4 new dwelling approvals annually. Between FY21 and FY25, approximately 23 homes were approved, with an additional 2 approved so far in FY26. This resulted in an average of 5.2 people moving to the area per year for each dwelling built during this period.

Demand significantly outpaced supply, putting upward pressure on prices and increasing competition among buyers. New properties were constructed at an average expected cost value of $750,000, indicating developers targeted the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY26, commercial approvals totaled $18.0 million, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development compared to previous years. Compared to Rest of NSW, West Ballina recorded markedly lower building activity, 76.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings.

Nationally, building activity was also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New building activity showed 67.0% standalone homes and 33.0% attached dwellings, indicating an expanding range of medium-density options creating a mix of opportunities across price brackets. The estimated count of 1090 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Future projections show West Ballina adding 473 residents by 2041, based on 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.

West Ballina 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 eight projects likely to impact the area. Major ones include Solhaven, Ballina District Hospital Redevelopment, Ballina Marina Master Plan, and Fun 'N' Sun Motel Rebuild. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Employment drivers in West Ballina are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

West Ballina has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, with essential services well represented. The unemployment rate is 5.5%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, there are 1,246 residents employed while the unemployment rate is 1.7% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in West Ballina is lower at 43.3%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries for employment among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Retail trade particularly stands out with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, public administration & safety is under-represented at 5.2% compared to Rest of NSW's 7.5%. The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.9, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.7%, while employment declined by 2.0%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw an employment decline of 0.5% and a labour force decline of 0.1%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data to 25-Nov shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, losing 2,260 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.3%. 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 West Ballina's employment mix suggests local employment should grow by 6.5% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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 West Ballina has a lower median income of $41,434 compared to the national average. The average income in West Ballina is $55,678. In contrast, Rest of NSW has a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates for West Ballina would be approximately $45,105 (median) and $60,611 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows that incomes in West Ballina fall between the 3rd and 11th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 31.1% of West Ballina's population earns within the $400 - $799 range, differing from metropolitan regions where the $1,500 - $2,999 category is predominant at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in West Ballina, with only 80.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 4th percentile nationally.

West Ballina displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

West Ballina's dwelling structures in its latest Census comprised 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 75.1% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in West Ballina stood at 49.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 21.8% and rented ones at 28.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,863, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,980. Median weekly rent in West Ballina was $370, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $450. Nationally, West Ballina's mortgage repayments align with the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are lower at $370 against the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 64.4% of all households, including 15.8% couples with children, 34.4% couples without children, and 13.2% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 35.6%, with lone person households at 32.6% and group households comprising 3.1% of the total. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

The educational profile of West Ballina exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 15.0%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 11.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 11.6% and certificates at 30.1%.

A substantial 23.7% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 8.4% in primary, 7.3% in secondary, and 2.4% in tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis in West Ballina shows 95 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 27 different routes that together offer 487 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as excellent, with residents typically living just 95 metres from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 69 trips per day across all routes, which works out to about 5 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in West Ballina is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

West Ballina faces significant health challenges across various age groups. Approximately 49% (~1,624 people) have private health cover, compared to 51.7% in Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.7%. Residents commonly report arthritis (12.4%) and mental health issues (9.6%).

However, 56.5% claim to be free of medical ailments, lower than the 68.0% reported in Rest of NSW. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 34.3% (1,137 people), compared to 23.6% in Rest of NSW.

West Ballina is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

West Ballina had a cultural diversity level below average, with 88.6% of its population being citizens, 89.3% born in Australia, and 96.4% speaking English only at home. The dominant religion was Christianity, comprising 58.6% of West Ballina's population, compared to the regional figure of 42.2%. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (33.0%), Australian (30.7%), and Irish (8.4%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 5.5%, compared to the regional average of 2.2%. New Zealand and Scottish representations were also notable at 0.8% and 8.1%, respectively, differing from the regional percentages of 0.6% and 9.0%.

West Ballina ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age of West Ballina is 53, which is considerably higher than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and substantially exceeds the national norm of 38. Compared to Rest of NSW, West Ballina has a higher concentration of residents aged 75-84 (13.9%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (9.0%). This concentration of 75-84 year-olds is well above the national figure of 6.0%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 25 to 34 has grown from 7.4% to 8.5%, while the 65 to 74 cohort has declined from 18.6% to 16.9% and the 55 to 64 group has dropped from 13.6% to 12.5%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in West Ballina's age structure. The 75 to 84 group is projected to grow by 25%, reaching 577 people from the current figure of 460. Meanwhile, the 55 to 64 and 15 to 24 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.