Suburb in Inner West

Balmain, NSW

Balmain had a population of 10,454 at the 2021 Census (+0.0% since 2016). Median age 42.0. Median weekly household income $3,035. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

Balmain at a glance

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

In Sydney - Inner West

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Balmain's population grew by 0.0% to 10,454, slower than New South Wales as a whole (+7.9%). With a median age of 42.0, it is older than the NSW average (38.4). Children under 10 make up 11.8% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 11.1%.

41.8% of households rent, a larger share than the NSW average of 33.1%. 28.8% own their home outright. Flats and apartments are more common than in New South Wales overall: 37.7% of homes, against 21.8%. The 2021 Census counted 4,473 households.

The median household earns $3,035 a week, above the NSW average of $1,829. Renters pay a median $621 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $3,939 a month.

32.5% of residents were born overseas, close to the NSW average of 31.0%. 12.9% use a language other than English at home. 55.7% report no religion, higher than the NSW average (35.7%).

Key figures

2021 Census, Balmain beside NSW and Australia.

MeasureBalmainNSWAustralia
Population10,4548,072,17125,422,828
Growth since 2016+0.0%+7.9%+8.6%
Median age42.038.438.2
Households4,4732,900,4569,275,123
Flats and apartments37.7%21.8%14.3%
Renting41.8%33.1%31.1%
Owned outright28.8%32.0%31.4%
Median household income a week$3,035$1,829$1,747
Median rent a week$621$423$376
Median mortgage repayment a month$3,939$2,142$1,866
Born overseas32.5%31.0%29.3%
Other language at home12.9%28.2%23.6%
No religion55.7%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

+0.0% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 9,6742011
  2. 10,4532016
  3. 10,4542021

Age

Median age 42.0, against 38.4 for New South Wales.

Balmain New South Wales
Share of people by age, Balmain and New South Wales
0–911.8%
10–199.5%
20–298.8%
30–3915.6%
40–4917.4%
50–5914.8%
60–6911.0%
70–798.3%
80+2.8%

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

Cultural background

The largest groups in Balmain at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. English42.7%
  2. Australian28.9%
  3. Irish19.1%
  4. Scottish13.6%
  5. Italian4.9%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. Mandarin1.6%
  2. Italian1.2%
  3. Spanish1.0%
  4. French0.8%
  5. Greek0.8%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. England9.5%
  2. New Zealand2.9%
  3. the United States1.7%
  4. Ireland1.4%
  5. China1.3%

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

Around Balmain

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Explore Balmain in Censible

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