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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 $982k, with units at $780k. House values have moved 2.0% 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 3,224 residents. That puts 347 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
An evaluation of regional ABS updates alongside new address data validated by AreaSearch since the Census indicates that the suburb of West Ballina has an estimated population of approximately 3,224 as of Aug 2026. This represents a contraction of 6 people (0.2%) relative to the 2021 Census tally of 3,230 people. This adjustment stems from an estimated resident population base of 3,216 identified through the ABS ERP release from June 2025, combined with 4 validated new addresses recorded after the Census date. Demographic density stands at 347 persons per square kilometer, indicating generous living space per resident and room for potential expansion.
Recent population gains were predominantly steered by interstate migration, which accounted for approximately 56.99999999999999% of overall inbound movement. Population projections applied by AreaSearch incorporate the 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia dataset using 2022 as a base, supplemented by the 2022 NSW State Government SA2-level series (based on 2021) for locations not captured in the primary figures. Age-bracket growth rates derived from these models are extended across all areas for 2032 to 2041. When factoring in broader demographic transitions, the suburb of West Ballina is projected to outpace the median non-metropolitan growth rate nationally, adding 462 persons through 2041 according to aggregated SA2 modelling, representing an aggregate expansion of 14.1% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building activity across West Ballina remains subdued, averaging 3 dwelling approvals annually for a cumulative total of 15 dwellings over the five-year period. These modest construction volumes underscore the locality's rural character, where building works typically cater to specific local housing requirements rather than broader development market drivers. Because approval volumes are so low, standalone construction projects have the capacity to alter annual growth metrics and comparative trends noticeably. Building activity in West Ballina tracks noticeably lower than in Rest of NSW, while also sitting beneath national benchmarks. Furthermore, new building activity has consisted entirely of standalone homes, reinforcing the spacious, rural setting of the neighborhood.
Detached designs make up a higher share of recent builds than the existing stock baseline (68.0% at Census), underscoring steady interest in family residences. A ratio of 3216 people in the area per dwelling approval highlights the subdued pace of local residential construction. Demographic projections suggest that West Ballina will add 454 residents through to 2041 based on the most recent AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Should building activity stay at its current trajectory, housing delivery could struggle to match expanding demand, potentially intensifying buyer competition and placing upward pressure on 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
Strategic infrastructure investments, community initiatives, and major works play a crucial role in shaping regional performance. AreaSearch has pinpointed a total of 8 key developments expected to influence the local area. Notable projects include Solhaven, Ballina District Hospital Redevelopment, Ballina Marina Master Plan, and Fun 'N' Sun Motel Rebuild, with significant undertakings outlined 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.
1,251 residents of West Ballina are employed, from a labour force of 1,331. Unemployment sits at 6.0%, with participation at 47.4%. 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 3,960, 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 labour pool in West Ballina features an even distribution across blue-collar and white-collar roles alongside healthy representation in essential services, with an unemployment rate of 6.0% and annual employment growth estimated at 2.2% via AreaSearch statistical area aggregations. As of March 2026, employed residents count 1,251, while the jobless rate sits 1.9% higher than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, and the participation rate trails notably at 47.4% versus 60.6% in Regional NSW. Census findings showed 12.1% of workers operating from home, an outcome that may have been shaped by Covid-19 restrictions.
Health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction stand as the leading fields of employment for local residents. Retail trade exhibits notable local concentration, capturing a workforce share 1.4 times that of the broader region. Conversely, public administration & safety accounts for only 5.2% of local positions, trailing the Regional NSW level of 7.5%. With 0.9 workers per resident recorded at the Census, the local economy offers a healthy volume of jobs nearby. AreaSearch assessment of broader ABS and SALM metrics indicates that across the 12 months to March 2026, employment grew by 2.2% while the local workforce expanded by 3.5%, resulting in a 1.2 percentage point lift in unemployment. In comparison, Regional NSW experienced a 0.9% drop in employment, a 0.4% decline in the workforce, and a 0.5 percentage point increase in joblessness. Further insight into prospective workforce demand in West Ballina can be drawn from national employment forecasts published by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26. Projected forward across five- and ten-year spans, national employment is anticipated to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying widely across sectors. Applying this sector profile to local industries implies potential employment growth of 6.5% over five years and 13.6% over ten years for West Ballina (serving as a basic weighting model for context rather than a localized population forecast).
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
ATO postcode records for financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch indicate that personal earnings in the suburb of West Ballina trail the broader Australian benchmark, with a median of $41,434 and an average of $55,678, compared to Regional NSW benchmarks of $52,390 (median) and $65,215 (average). Adjusting for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, indicative income levels reach roughly $45,710 for the median and $61,424 for the average as of March 2026. Across household, family, and personal metrics in the 2021 Census, local earnings sit between the 3rd and 11th percentiles nationwide.
A cohort of 1,002 individuals, or 31.1% of residents, earns within the $400 - 799 bracket, contrasting with the regional tendency where 29.9% earn between $1,500 - 2,999. Household budget strain is pronounced, with residual income at 80.4%, ranking in the 4th percentile.
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
Census records indicate that housing stock in West Ballina is divided between separate houses at 67.9% and medium-to-high density or alternative structures at 32.1%, whereas Regional NSW records 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Outright property ownership in West Ballina is substantially higher than regional norms at 49.8%, with the balance occupied under a mortgage (21.8%) or as rentals (28.5%). Median monthly mortgage costs reached $1,863 against the Regional NSW figure of $1,733, while weekly rent averaged $370 versus $330 regionally. On a national basis, local mortgage repayments align with the Australian median of $1,863, whereas rental costs sit below the nationwide mark 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 constitute 64.4% of local households, made up of couples with children (15.8%), couples without children (34.4%), and single parent homes (13.2%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 35.6%, comprising sole-occupant residences at 32.6% and shared group dwellings at 3.1%. The typical household size stands at 2.1 people, tracking below the Regional NSW standard 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
Attainment figures point to educational hurdles locally, as the proportion of residents holding higher education degrees (15.0%) sits well beneath the NSW mark of 32.2%, highlighting an area for educational development. Bachelor degrees comprise 11.5% of qualifications, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.0% and graduate diplomas at 1.5%. Vocational pathways are well established, with 41.7% of individuals aged 15+ possessing technical qualifications across advanced diplomas (11.6%) and certificates (30.1%). An active educational cohort is present locally, with 23.7% of the community engaged in formal studies. This group includes 8.4% attending primary school, 7.3% in secondary school, and 2.4% enrolled in higher education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in West Ballina reaches 93 stops on 33 routes, timetabled for about 520 services a week. The typical home sits about 100 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. 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
The public transit network in West Ballina features 93 active bus stops spread throughout the area. These transit points are linked by 33 separate routes that provide 517 weekly scheduled trips in total. Transit convenience is strong, with typical walking distances to the nearest stop measuring 95 meters. With the area functioning largely as a commuter base, private motor vehicles represent 90% of travel, while 4% of commuters walk. Average vehicle ownership is 1.1 per household, which trails regional standards. Furthermore, 12.1% of workers recorded working from home in the 2021 Census, a figure potentially influenced by pandemic conditions.
Transit services run at an overall frequency of 73 trips per day across all available routes, delivering approximately 5 weekly trips per stop location.
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
AreaSearch evaluations of mortality statistics and chronic health patterns indicate notable health demands in West Ballina, where common medical conditions appear across younger and older demographics alike, while private health insurance uptake is comparatively modest at approximately 49% of residents (~1,579 people). This sits below the 51.9% level seen across Regional NSW and the national rate of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the most prevalent diagnosed ailments in the community, recorded among 12.4 and 9.6% of residents, while 56.5% reported no chronic medical diagnoses compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW.
Working-age locals show elevated rates of ongoing health issues. Meanwhile, individuals aged 65 and over constitute 35.5% of the populace (1,144 people), noticeably exceeding the Regional NSW proportion of 23.3% and ranking higher against nationwide distributions.
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
Demographic indicators reflect a relatively homogeneous cultural profile in West Ballina, where 88.6% of residents hold Australian citizenship, 89.3% were born within Australia, and 96.4% communicate solely in English in their homes. Christianity is the predominant religious faith, observed by 58.6% of locals compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. Regarding ancestral background, English ancestry is the most common among West Ballina residents at 33.0%, followed by Australian at 30.7%, and Irish at 8.4%. Other ancestral representations show distinct local patterns: Australian Aboriginal heritage stands higher locally at 5.5% compared to 4.6% across the region, New Zealand heritage accounts for 0.8% versus 0.4% regionally, and Scottish heritage represents 8.1% compared to 8.0%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of West Ballina is 54, older than 96% of areas nationally. 18.4% 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 demographic makeup of the suburb of West Ballina clearly reflects its appeal as a retirement and lifestyle destination. Updates to August 2026 show that seniors and retirees aged 65+ make up 35.5% of the community, exceeding the 23.3% share across Regional NSW, whereas adults aged 25 - 44 account for 17.7% compared to 23.5% regionally. As at August 2026, the estimated median age is 54, holding steady from the 2021 Census and remaining 11 years higher than the Regional NSW median of 43 at that Census, while the national Census median was 38.
The 25 - 44 age cohort has increased from 16.1% at the Census to an estimated 17.7%. Older residents aged 65+ are expected to drive the largest absolute increase by 2041, climbing by 198 (17%) to reach 1,343.
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) | Aug 2026 last month 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 last 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 3 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 6 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 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago 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 — 4 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,230 at the 2021 Census → 3,224 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 Aug 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.