🔍

Cumbalum

NSW 2478 • Rest of NSW

2,211
Population (2021)
$112,840
Median Household Income
16.59 km²
Area
$610/wk
Median Rent
Growth SuburbFamily-FriendlyRuralNorthern RiversNew Development

About Cumbalum

Cumbalum is a growing rural locality in the Ballina Shire on the Far North Coast of New South Wales, located approximately 10 kilometres west of Ballina. With a population of around 2,200, the suburb has seen significant residential development in recent years as part of the Cumbalum Urban Release Area. The area sits at an elevation of 42 metres and covers 16.6 square kilometres of gently undulating land between the Pacific Highway and surrounding farmland.

Cumbalum appeals to young families seeking affordable housing within easy reach of Ballina and the Northern Rivers region. New housing estates offer modern homes with larger blocks compared to nearby coastal suburbs. Residents enjoy proximity to both the beaches of Ballina and Lennox Head and the hinterland attractions of the region. Local amenities are expanding alongside residential growth, with shops and services available in nearby Ballina.

Cumbalum 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
N/A
LGA / Council
Ballina
Federal Electorate
Richmond
State Electorate
Ballina
Type
Rural
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-28.82°, 153.54°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
16.59 km²
Elevation
42m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.19M
66 sales · ▲ 6% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$895K
18 sales · ▲ 3.8% 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)
$610
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,167
Avg Household Size
3 people
Median Age
37 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.6%

4 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Blanch's Bus Service — Ballina town centre 15 min
  • Northern Rivers Buslines — Lismore via Alstonville 40 min

Commute to Ballina

Distance
10 km
By Bus
15-20 min
By Car (Peak)
12 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
10 min

🛣️ No rail service in region. Pacific Highway provides main road access.

Walkability Car-Dependent

A car-dependent suburb with limited footpaths. Most errands require driving to Ballina.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Ballina Local Government Area, which contains Cumbalum. 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
1,522
Census 2021
2,211
▲ 45.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$37,908
Personal Income 2021
$46,644
▲ 23.0% 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
$46,644 / yr
$897/wk
Household
$112,840 / yr
$2170/wk
Family
$116,012 / yr
$2231/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,798
Born Overseas 315

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 73
  • 2. New Zealand 53
  • 3. India 15
  • 4. Philippines 15
  • 5. Thailand 12
  • 6. Germany 10
  • 7. Singapore 10
  • 8. United States 10
  • 9. Vietnam 9
  • 10. Canada 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 967
English 916
Irish 266
Scottish 224
German 107
Italian 101
Australian Aboriginal 81
New Zealander 37
Indian 35
Dutch 32

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,459
Both parents born in Australia
391
Both parents born overseas
270
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
46.7%
No Religion
43.7%
Buddhism
1.6%
Hinduism
0.6%
Islam
0.1%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
148 (6.7%)
5-14 years
355 (16.1%)
15-19 years
134 (6.1%)
20-24 years
111 (5.0%)
25-34 years
262 (11.8%)
35-44 years
348 (15.7%)
45-54 years
304 (13.7%)
55-64 years
244 (11.0%)
65-74 years
194 (8.8%)
75-84 years
83 (3.8%)
85+ years
14 (0.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cumbalum known for? +

Cumbalum appeals to young families seeking affordable housing within easy reach of Ballina and the Northern Rivers region.

How far is Cumbalum from Sydney CBD? +

Cumbalum is approximately 10 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately 12 min in peak hour and 10 min off-peak.

Does Cumbalum have public transport? +

Bus services include Blanch's Bus Service, running to Ballina town centre in approximately 15 min.

What is the population of Cumbalum? +

According to the 2021 Census, Cumbalum has a population of 2,211 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Cumbalum a good place to live? +

Cumbalum is well-suited to families, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. New housing estates offer modern homes with larger blocks compared to nearby coastal suburbs.

What is the postcode for Cumbalum? +

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

What is the average income in Cumbalum? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Cumbalum is about $897 per week (around $46,600 per year). The median household income is $2,170 per week and the median family income is $2,231 per week.

What is the median house price in Cumbalum? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,187,500, up 6% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $895,000, up 3.8% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Cumbalum? +

The median age in Cumbalum is 37. The largest age group is 5–14 (355 residents, around 16%). Around 29% of residents are under 20 and about 13% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Cumbalum a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Cumbalum 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 Cumbalum? +

In Cumbalum, the median weekly rent is $610, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,167 (2021 Census).