🔍

East Ballina

NSW 2478 • Rest of NSW

5,882
Population (2021)
$80,808
Median Household Income
6.50 km²
Area
$460/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideRetiree-HavenFamily-FriendlyQuiet

About East Ballina

East Ballina is a coastal urban locality situated on the eastern side of Ballina, along the northern New South Wales coast approximately 30 kilometres south of Byron Bay, within the Ballina Shire council area. With a population of 5,882 and a median age of 48, the suburb has a distinctly sea-change demographic, with a large proportion of residents aged 55 and over who have relocated for its coastal lifestyle. Median weekly household income of $1,554 and rents averaging $460 per week reflect strong demand for this attractive coastal address.

East Ballina sits between the Richmond River and the Pacific Ocean, offering residents easy access to beaches, waterways, and the natural amenity of the Far North Coast. The suburb is predominantly residential with a mix of established homes and newer development, and is well-served by Ballina town centre just across the river with its full range of shops, services, and schools. Its relaxed, low-density character, community of mostly married couples and families, and proximity to both the beach and Ballina Airport make it a popular destination for sea-changers and retirees from across eastern Australia.

East 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
-28.86°, 153.59°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
6.50 km²
Elevation
18m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.32M
63 sales · ▼ 1.5% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$870K
63 sales · ▲ 12.3% 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)
$460
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,800
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
48 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.4%

30 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW Bus routes — Sydney CBD or nearest regional centre Varies

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
30 km
By Train
Check Transport for NSW for current train services
By Car (Peak)
90-120 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
60-75 min

🛣️ Check Transport for NSW (transportnsw.info) for current public transport options.

Walkability Car-Dependent

East Ballina requires a car for most daily errands, though some local amenities may be accessible on foot.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near East 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 East 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
5,571
Census 2021
5,882
▲ 5.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$34,320
Personal Income 2021
$42,328
▲ 23.3% 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
$42,328 / yr
$814/wk
Household
$80,808 / yr
$1554/wk
Family
$100,152 / yr
$1926/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,906
Born Overseas 711

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 184
  • 2. New Zealand 92
  • 3. United States 33
  • 4. South Africa 29
  • 5. Germany 28
  • 6. Ireland 26
  • 7. Canada 25
  • 8. Thailand 16
  • 9. France 14
  • 10. Netherlands 14

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,664
Australian 2,238
Irish 937
Scottish 786
German 286
Italian 192
Australian Aboriginal 155
Dutch 82
French 54
Welsh 46

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

4,001
Both parents born in Australia
865
Both parents born overseas
747
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
47.6%
No Religion
44.5%
Buddhism
1.1%
Islam
0.2%
Hinduism
0.2%
Sikhism
0.1%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
270 (4.6%)
5-14 years
649 (11.0%)
15-19 years
313 (5.3%)
20-24 years
196 (3.3%)
25-34 years
553 (9.4%)
35-44 years
696 (11.8%)
45-54 years
756 (12.9%)
55-64 years
844 (14.3%)
65-74 years
1,003 (17.1%)
75-84 years
438 (7.4%)
85+ years
157 (2.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is East Ballina known for? +

East Ballina sits between the Richmond River and the Pacific Ocean, offering residents easy access to beaches, waterways, and the natural amenity of the Far North Coast.

How far is East Ballina from Sydney CBD? +

East Ballina is located in NSW 2478. For specific distances to the CBD, refer to local mapping services.

Does East Ballina have public transport? +

Public transport options vary. Check Transport for NSW (transportnsw.info) for current routes and timetables.

What is the population of East Ballina? +

According to the 2021 Census, East Ballina has a population of 5,882 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is East Ballina a good place to live? +

East Ballina is well-suited to families and retirees, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. The suburb is predominantly residential with a mix of established homes and newer development, and is well-served by Ballina town centre just across the river with its full range of shops, services, and schools.

What is the postcode for East Ballina? +

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

What is the average income in East Ballina? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in East Ballina is about $814 per week (around $42,300 per year). The median household income is $1,554 per week and the median family income is $1,926 per week.

What is the median house price in East Ballina? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,325,000, down 1.5% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $870,000, up 12.3% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of East Ballina? +

The median age in East Ballina is 48. The largest age group is 65–74 (1,003 residents, around 17%). Around 21% of residents are under 20 and about 27% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is East Ballina a safe area? +

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

In East Ballina, the median weekly rent is $460, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,800 (2021 Census).