Median house price
$1.3M
+16% change
NSW · Ballina Council
Ballina, 2478
Est. population · Jun 2025
9,821
Growth (1 yr)
-0.3%
Growth (5 yr)
+2.1%
Median age
56
Median income
$1,013/wk
Employment rate
41.1%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,300,000
Languages at home
6.1%non-English
Most common: Punjabi, Thai, Hindi
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Education hub
Suburb profile
Away from the major hubs, Ballina is a established suburb in Ballina Council with its own quieter rhythm. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees. Local shops, markets and community spots keep everyday life grounded in the town itself.
Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus, and buses help with longer trips. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.
Local crime has been trending higher of late. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
Against similar regional towns, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because community and employment, plus local dining and lifestyle amenities lag behind, despite relative strength in growth momentum.
At a glance
Ballina snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$755/wk
Houses $850 · Units $595
Population (ERP)
9,821
-0.3% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
8.1%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#30
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
65th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
6th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
75th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 52.3/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 26% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1873rd in Australia
- State rank
- 545th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #30 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #88 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $595
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $850
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $755
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 236
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,300,000
- Median price change
- +16.1%
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent and sales tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · January to March 2026; October to December 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
9,821(June 2025)
-0.3% annual · +2.1% over 5 years · 6th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- -0.3%
- 5-year growth
- +2.1%
- Change in 1 year
- -29
- Change in 5 years
- +202
- Growth rank in NSW
- 6th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~10,200), extrapolated at +0.8% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 9,735
- Median age
- 56
- Median household income / week
- $1,013
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 383 of 4,745
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 41.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 2,293 / 1,429 / 433 (+ 154 other)
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 882
- Against the person
- 168
- Against property
- 472
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 89.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 58 residents
- State safety percentile
- 64.6th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +13%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions342
- Fraud335
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment155
- Malicious Damage To Property240
- Steal From Retail Store305
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Rolling 12-month windows
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,069
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 75th
School list
- Richmond Christian CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1069 · 75th percentile · LBOTE 24% · 327 students · Top SEA quarter 29% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- River Street Childrens CentreRiver Streetchildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
318 public transport stops in this suburb
- Ballina Hospital, Bentinck St
- North Creek Rd Before Yellowfin Way
- North Creek Rd Opp Magnolia Dr
- River St After Brunswick St
- River St Opp Ballina Public Library
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
40 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
2 cafes · 1 bars · 1 supermarkets · 1 playgrounds · 1 sports centres · 1 petrol stations
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus
- Great for outdoor family life — 17 parks mapped in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 318 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 61/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.21
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.31
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.75
Food & drink(3)
- The Salt BarBar
- Latte LoungeCafe
- The Beach GrillCafe
Shopping(1)
- ALDISupermarket
2 North Creek Road
Sport & outdoors(3)
- Park
- Playground
- Ballina Jockey ClubSports centre
Racecourse Road, Ballina
Transport(9)
9 bus stops
Other(18)
- Baggage CarouselBag
- OMFBed
- Byron Byron Gateway Airport Tour OperatorsBus Station
- Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Rental Car DesksCar Rental
- Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Rental Car Parking LotCar Rental
- Ballina Rental VillageCaravan Site
126 Tamarind Drive, Ballina
- Airline Check-inCheck-In
- Harvey NormanDepartment Store
- Ballina Fire Station (211)Fire station
62 Tamarind Drive, Ballina
- RelayNewsagent
- Ballina Byron Gateway Airport ParkingParking
- Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Rental CarsParking
- Bicentennial GardensParking
- Parking (7)
- PetstockPet
- BPPetrol station
- Public toilets
- Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport Taxi StandTaxi
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
14 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bagot ParkPark
- Ballina Nature ReserveNature reserve
- Boomerang ParkPark
- Captain Cook ParkPark
- Cawarra ParkPark
- Clement ParkPark
- Commemoration ParkPark
- Kingsford Smith ParkPark
- Meldrum ParkPark
- Missingham ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 45
- Parks (OSM)
- 17
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 10
- Nearest hospital
- Ballina District Hospital (2.6 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- Ballina Coast DentalTamar StreetDentist
- Ballina Day SurgeryTamar StreetYes
- Ballina District HospitalCherry StreetHospital
- Ballina Family Medical CentreDoctor
- Bullinah Aboriginal Health ServiceTamar StreetClinic
- Gleam DentalGrant StreetDentist
- Ochre Medical CentreGrant StreetDoctor
- Pacific Smiles DentalDentist
- River Street SmilesDentist
- TerryWhite ChemmartPharmacy
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 399
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 40.6
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 28° / 19°
- Rainfall
- 569 mm · ~71 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 612 mm · ~76 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 20° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 289 mm · ~36 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 300 mm · ~38 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal.
2026· 35 proposals
July 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation69 NORTON STREET BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Signage; Erection of a new structure; Business identification sign32 BOEING AVENUE BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Demolition; Residential care facility; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure59 BENTINCK STREET BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 BENTINCK STREET BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure94 NORTON STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
- Small bar; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Retail Premise; Food and drink premise71/2 Martin St, Ballina, 2478 NSWAdditional Information Requested
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool3 SUNBIRD AVENUE BALLINA 2478Determined
- Demolition; Signage; Business premises; Commercial development; Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Business identification sign; Retail Premise135-155 RIVER STREET BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
June 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Clothes hoists and clothes lines; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space; Hot water systems; Letterboxes; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alteration1 RUSSELL STREET BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Rainwater tanks155 BURNET STREET BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool36 IRONBARK ROAD BALLINA 2478Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah44-46 CHERRY STREET BALLINA 2478Additional Information Requested
- Industrial development; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; General industry62 DE-HAVILLAND CRESCENT BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport32 BOEING AVENUE BALLINA 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure141 BURNET STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached)74 NORTON STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Minor building alterations (external)1 6 KING STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool28 BANTRY STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
April 2026
- Restaurant or cafe; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia81 TAMAR STREET BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool15 CARGELLIGO CRESCENT BALLINA 2478Determined
March 2026
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 ENDEAVOUR CLOSE BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool11 SUNBIRD AVENUE BALLINA 2478Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Fences; Swimming pool8 OAKWOOD DRIVE BALLINA 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation21 CARGELLIGO CRESCENT BALLINA 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport7 TIPPERARY PLACE BALLINA 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation15 SWIFT STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure19 LEESON AVENUE BALLINA 2478Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Fences; Residential Accommodation117 CHERRY STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Supporting Development8 OAKWOOD DRIVE BALLINA 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool3 BRUNSWICK STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
February 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Transport depot69 SOUTHERN CROSS DRIVE BALLINA 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation60 NORTON STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool10 CAMOOLA AVENUE BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah5 KING LANE BALLINA 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport58 CATHERINE CRESCENT BALLINA 2478Determined
2025· 13 proposals
December 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation104 CHERRY STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool6 EIDER QUADRANT BALLINA 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home47 CLAVAN STREET BALLINA 2478Withdrawn
- Warehouse or distribution centre; Erection of a new structure; Business identification sign; General industry7 HERCULES CRESCENT BALLINA 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 OAKWOOD DRIVE BALLINA 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Health services facility2 81 TAMAR STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
- Subdivision8 CARGELLIGO CRESCENT BALLINA 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Fences84 TEMPLE STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)27 CARGELLIGO CRESCENT BALLINA 2478Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 WEJUBA GARDENS BALLINA 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation180 FOX STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
- Industrial development; Erection of a new structure; General industry5 HERCULES CRESCENT BALLINA 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; General industry14-16 SIMMONS STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Heritage
1 heritage place
- Brundah37 Norton Street BallinaSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Richmond
- Member of Parliament
- Justine ELLIOT (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 126,814
- Turnout (2025)
- 89.5%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +1.8 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 40.0%Labor 60.0%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 9.7 km away).
Coalition 38.8%Labor 61.2%
1.2 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +2.1 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Ballina NorthLabor 59.0% · Coalition 41.0% TPP (2025)2.2 km away
- Ballina EastLabor 62.3% · Coalition 37.7% TPP (2025)3.1 km away
- Ballina WestLabor 54.7% · Coalition 45.3% TPP (2025)3.2 km away
- Ballina (Richmond)Labor 65.0% · Coalition 35.0% TPP (2025)3.6 km away
- Skennars HeadLabor 68.7% · Coalition 31.3% TPP (2025)3.8 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
This suburb ranks highly for
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Ballina Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.