Council area

Ballina, NSW

Ballina had a population of 46,296 at the 2021 Census (+10.8% since 2016). Median age 47.6. Median weekly household income $1,429. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

Ballina at a glance

What the 2021 Census says, compared with New South Wales.

In Richmond - Tweed

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Ballina's population grew by 10.8% to 46,296, faster than New South Wales as a whole (+7.9%). With a median age of 47.6, it is older than the NSW average (38.4). Children under 10 make up 10.2% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 19.5%.

27.1% of households rent, a smaller share than the NSW average of 33.1%. 42.1% own their home outright. Flats and apartments are 5.1% of homes (21.8% across New South Wales). The 2021 Census counted 18,281 households.

The median household earns $1,429 a week, below the NSW average of $1,829. Renters pay a median $417 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $1,941 a month.

13.5% of residents were born overseas, fewer than the NSW average of 31.0%. 5.0% use a language other than English at home. 46.3% report no religion, higher than the NSW average (35.7%).

Key figures

2021 Census, Ballina beside NSW and Australia.

MeasureBallinaNSWAustralia
Population46,2968,072,17125,422,828
Growth since 2016+10.8%+7.9%+8.6%
Median age47.638.438.2
Households18,2812,900,4569,275,123
Flats and apartments5.1%21.8%14.3%
Renting27.1%33.1%31.1%
Owned outright42.1%32.0%31.4%
Median household income a week$1,429$1,829$1,747
Median rent a week$417$423$376
Median mortgage repayment a month$1,941$2,142$1,866
Born overseas13.5%31.0%29.3%
Other language at home5.0%28.2%23.6%
No religion46.3%35.7%41.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Population and age

Each census since 2011, and the age profile in 2021.

Population

+10.8% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 39,2712011
  2. 41,7902016
  3. 46,2962021

Age

Median age 47.6, against 38.4 for New South Wales.

Ballina New South Wales
Share of people by age, Ballina and New South Wales
0–910.2%
10–1911.3%
20–298.3%
30–3910.6%
40–4912.0%
50–5913.3%
60–6914.8%
70–7912.0%
80+7.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Cultural background

The largest groups in Ballina at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. English47.2%
  2. Australian41.7%
  3. Irish15.3%
  4. Scottish13.3%
  5. German4.9%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. German0.4%
  2. Spanish0.4%
  3. Italian0.3%
  4. French0.3%
  5. Thai0.3%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. England3.9%
  2. New Zealand1.8%
  3. South Africa0.6%
  4. the United States0.5%
  5. Germany0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Around Ballina

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Explore Ballina in Censible

Every census figure for Ballina, mapped and compared with any other place. A free account takes a minute.