🔍

Ballina

NSW 2478 • Rest of NSW

9,735
Population (2021)
$52,676
Median Household Income
20.46 km²
Area
$360/wk
Median Rent
CoastalSea ChangeRegional CentreRelaxed LifestyleRiver Town

About Ballina

Ballina is a relaxed coastal town at the mouth of the Richmond River in the Northern Rivers region, home to nearly 10,000 residents drawn to its blend of beaches, waterways, and village charm. Located roughly midway between Sydney and Brisbane, the town serves as a regional centre with its own airport (Ballina Byron Gateway) providing connections to major cities. The climate is subtropical, the pace unhurried, and the natural beauty ever-present.

Life in Ballina centres on the water—swimming at Shelly Beach, fishing on the Richmond River, or watching dolphins from the breakwall. The town centre offers quality cafes and a growing food scene, while nearby Byron Bay provides cultural counterpoint just 30 minutes away. Ballina attracts sea-changers, retirees seeking coastal lifestyle, and young families who prefer its authenticity over Byron's crowds. It's the Northern Rivers for locals who actually want to live in a community.

Ballina falls under postcode 2478 and is governed by Ballina Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Ballina electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2478
Urban Area
Ballina
LGA / Council
Ballina
Federal Electorate
Richmond
State Electorate
Ballina
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-28.83°, 153.56°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
20.46 km²
Elevation
4m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Ballina for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$898K
84 sales · ▲ 4.4% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$750K
108 sales · ▲ 14.5% vs 2024

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$360
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
56 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
10.2%

359 state housing + 86 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • 640 — Byron Bay via Lennox Head 35 min
  • 641 — Lismore via Alstonville 40 min
  • 645 — Ballina Heights loop service 20 min
  • Shuttle — Ballina Byron Gateway Airport 10 min

Commute to Byron Bay

Distance
30 km
By Train
N/A - no rail service
By Bus
35 min to Byron Bay
By Car (Peak)
30 min to Byron Bay
By Car (Off-Peak)
25 min to Byron Bay

🛣️ Regional town with limited public transport; most residents drive. Airport offers flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre walkable; outer areas car-dependent

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Cnr Fox Street & Kerr Street Ballina 2478 NSW
  • Woolworths
    Ballina Fair Shopping Centre, Cnr Fox And Kerr Roads Ballina 2478 NSW
  • ALDI
    North Creek Road 2, Ballina NSW 2478

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Ballina, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Brundah
37 Norton Street Ballina • SHR #00194

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Ballina Local Government Area, which contains Ballina. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
367.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
237.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 12.3%
Non-DV assault
369.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
8.3 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
381.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 1.9%
View all 62 offence types for Ballina →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
8,655
Census 2021
9,735
▲ 12.5% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$26,780
Personal Income 2021
$31,980
▲ 19.4% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$31,980 / yr
$615/wk
Household
$52,676 / yr
$1013/wk
Family
$75,296 / yr
$1448/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 7,638
Born Overseas 1,308

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 352
  • 2. New Zealand 170
  • 3. India 96
  • 4. Philippines 65
  • 5. South Africa 40
  • 6. United States 40
  • 7. Thailand 38
  • 8. Scotland 33
  • 9. Germany 32
  • 10. Netherlands 30

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 4,173
Australian 3,721
Irish 1,284
Scottish 1,122
Australian Aboriginal 453
German 407
Italian 267
Indian 111
Dutch 105
Filipino 85

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

6,289
Both parents born in Australia
1,535
Both parents born overseas
1,050
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.1%
No Religion
37.7%
Buddhism
1.0%
Hinduism
0.9%
Sikhism
0.7%
Islam
0.2%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
376 (3.9%)
5-14 years
780 (8.0%)
15-19 years
372 (3.8%)
20-24 years
377 (3.9%)
25-34 years
881 (9.0%)
35-44 years
932 (9.6%)
45-54 years
1,004 (10.3%)
55-64 years
1,266 (13.0%)
65-74 years
1,578 (16.2%)
75-84 years
1,265 (13.0%)
85+ years
900 (9.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ballina known for? +

Life in Ballina centres on the water—swimming at Shelly Beach, fishing on the Richmond River, or watching dolphins from the breakwall.

How far is Ballina from Sydney CBD? +

Ballina is approximately 30 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately 30 min to Byron Bay in peak hour and 25 min to Byron Bay off-peak.

Does Ballina have public transport? +

Bus services include 640, running to Byron Bay via Lennox Head in approximately 35 min.

What is the population of Ballina? +

According to the 2021 Census, Ballina has a population of 9,735 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Ballina a good place to live? +

Ballina is well-suited to a range of residents, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. The town centre offers quality cafes and a growing food scene, while nearby Byron Bay provides cultural counterpoint just 30 minutes away.

What is the postcode for Ballina? +

The postcode for Ballina is 2478. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Ballina? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Ballina is about $615 per week (around $32,000 per year). The median household income is $1,013 per week and the median family income is $1,448 per week.

What is the median house price in Ballina? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $897,500, up 4.4% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $750,000, up 14.5% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Ballina? +

The median age in Ballina is 56. The largest age group is 65–74 (1,578 residents, around 16%). Around 16% of residents are under 20 and about 38% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Ballina a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Ballina is part of the Ballina LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Ballina? +

In Ballina, the median weekly rent is $360, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).