Balmain East, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Balmain East NSW is 1,900 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Balmain East is $1,550 per week ($80,600 per year). Median rent in Balmain East is $617 per week ($2,674 per month). Balmain East has a median age of 46 years, older than the national median of 38. Balmain East has a population density of 5,539 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Balmain East is England. The most common religion is No religion (50.7% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Spanish. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Balmain East is $4,333.

There were 21 recorded offences in Balmain East in 2025-26, a rate of 11 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was assault (5 offences).

Population
1,900
Census 2021
Median income
$1,550/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$617/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
46years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au), 2025-26.

Balmain East vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Balmain East is $1,550 a week, 103% above the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 39th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $617 a week, $232 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 20.4% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 46, 3 years older than in the typical NSW suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureBalmain EastTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$1,550/wk$765/wk +103%$766/wk
Household income$3,020/wk$1,704/wk +77%$1,637/wk
Rent$617/wk$385/wk +60%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$4,333/mo$1,965/mo +121%$1,733/mo
Median age4643 +3 yrs42
Rent share of household income20.4%22.6% −2.2 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Balmain East, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Balmain East Population

1,900 residents at the 2021 Census.

Balmain East Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$1,550/wk
$80,600 per year
Ranked 100 of 14,663
Median Rent
$617/wk
$2,674 per month
Ranked 188 of 14,663
Median Age
46years
8 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$4,333/mo
Avg household size: 2.2 · 0.9 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Balmain East Rent Prices & Affordability

20% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $3,020/wk
Median rent $617/wk
Rent to income 20.4%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Balmain East against your income

About $13,087 a month
Median rent $617/wk
Left after rent $2,403/wk
Rent share 20.4%

Balmain East Schools

58
schools nearby
24
government
1133
avg ICSEA score
29,172
total students
Sydney Grammar School Independent
Secondary · K-12 · 1,925 students
1274
ICSEA
St Aloysius' College Independent
Secondary · 3-12 · 1,347 students
1223
ICSEA
SCEGGS Darlinghurst Independent
Combined · K-12 · 936 students
1209
ICSEA
SHORE - Sydney Church of England Grammar School Independent
Secondary · K-12 · 1,724 students
1205
ICSEA
North Sydney Girls High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 916 students
1203
ICSEA
North Sydney Boys High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 933 students
1195
ICSEA
Conservatorium High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 156 students
1194
ICSEA
Loreto Kirribilli Independent
Combined · K-12 · 1,176 students
1189
ICSEA
St Andrew's Cathedral School Independent
Combined · K-12 · 1,436 students
1189
ICSEA
Wenona School Independent
Combined · K-12 · 1,385 students
1187
ICSEA
Cameragal Montessori School Independent
Primary · K-6 · 40 students
1179
ICSEA
Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College Independent
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,186 students
1179
ICSEA
Inner Sydney Montessori School Independent
Primary · K-6 · 95 students
1178
ICSEA
Greenwich Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 367 students
1175
ICSEA
Balmain Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 321 students
1172
ICSEA

Showing 15 of 58 schools.

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Balmain East, with a map

Balmain East Map

Balmain East, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Balmain East, New South Wales: 33.8554°S, 151.1936°E

Balmain East Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (58)

People in Balmain East

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.9% (931) Female 51.1% (971)

Population Density

5,539
people per km²
1,900 people · 0.3 km²

Households

2.2
Avg household size
0.9
Persons per bedroom
$4,641
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
8.5%
New Zealand
1.7%
United States of America
1.7%
South Africa
1.5%
Ireland
1.3%
China
1.2%
France
0.8%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Spanish
1.3%
Mandarin
1.1%
French
0.9%
Arabic
0.8%
German
0.8%
Cantonese
0.6%
Serbian
0.5%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
43.6%
Australian
27.3%
Irish
18.1%
Scottish
12.3%
German
4.3%
Chinese
3.8%
Italian
3.4%
Greek
2.2%
Dutch
2.1%
Lebanese
1.7%
French
1.4%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
50.7%
Catholic
21.3%
Anglican
11.0%
Not stated
6.3%
Eastern Orthodox
1.5%
Uniting Church
1.4%
Christian (other)
1.3%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

0.4%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
45.4% 738
Separated
2.2% 35
Divorced
10.7% 173
Widowed
3.0% 48
Never married
38.8% 630

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
38.8%
Couple: no children
38.3%
Couple: no children under 15
14.3%
One parent: no children under 15
4.5%
One parent: children under 15
4.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
32.8%
2 persons
37.7%
3 persons
11.9%
4 persons
12.7%
5 persons
3.4%
6+ persons
1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Balmain East

Housing Tenure

Of the 795 occupied private dwellings in Balmain East at the 2021 Census, 40.8% were rented, 34.3% owned outright and 23.9% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.3% 10 dwellings
Owned outright
34.3% 273 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
23.9% 190 dwellings
Rented
40.8% 324 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
0.5% 4 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Semi-detached (2+ storey)
64.2%
Separate house
25.9%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
9.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
12.6%
2 bedrooms
35.4%
3 bedrooms
29.8%
4 bedrooms
19.2%
5 bedrooms
2.7%
6+ bedrooms
0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
13.0%
$800-$999/mo
10.4%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
14.3%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
14.3%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
11.7%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
7.8%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
28.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
14.0%
1 vehicle
51.7%
2 vehicles
27.3%
3 vehicles
4.8%
4+ vehicles
2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Balmain East

Employment

Employed full-time
45.0% 666 people
Employed part-time
16.8% 248 people
Unemployed
2.8% 41 people
Not in labour force
35.4% 524 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
51.7%
Managers
27.5%
Clerical & Administrative
8.9%
Sales Workers
4.2%
Technicians & Trade Workers
3.3%
Community & Personal Service
2.5%
Labourers
1.1%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.2%
$1-$149/wk
0.7%
$150-$299/wk
1.4%
$300-$399/wk
1.9%
$400-$499/wk
4.8%
$500-$649/wk
3.6%
$650-$799/wk
1.4%
$800-$999/wk
2.6%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
3.3%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
4.9%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
3.8%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
3.4%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
8.9%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
5.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
6.6%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.8%
$4,000+/wk
41.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
10.0%
$1-$149/wk
3.0%
$150-$299/wk
2.8%
$300-$399/wk
1.0%
$400-$499/wk
2.2%
$500-$649/wk
1.6%
$650-$799/wk
4.4%
$800-$999/wk
5.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
5.9%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.7%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.7%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
14.9%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
5.4%
$3,500+/wk
22.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
49.6%
Did not go to work
25.1%
Ferry
8.0%
Walked only
5.2%
Bus
2.5%
Car (passenger)
2.5%
Other
2.5%
Truck
1.9%
Bicycle
1.7%
Motorbike/Scooter
1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
87.5%
Year 10 or equivalent
8.7%
Year 11 or equivalent
2.0%
Year 9 or equivalent
1.9%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Bachelor Degree
47.4%
Postgraduate Degree
27.1%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
10.8%
Certificate III/IV
9.3%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
5.2%
Certificate I/II
0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
28.5%
Society & Culture
23.8%
Health
8.2%
Creative Arts
7.8%
Engineering
7.5%
Education
7.0%
Architecture & Building
5.8%
Natural & Physical Sciences
4.7%
Information Technology
4.2%
Agriculture & Environment
1.4%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
23.9%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
19.7%
Secondary: Government
11.5%
Secondary: Catholic
10.2%
Pre-school
9.8%
Primary: Catholic
9.8%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
7.9%
Vocational Education
7.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
91.7%
Has need for assistance
2.7%
Need for assistance not stated
5.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
144
Asthma
66
Heart disease
45
Arthritis
42
Lung condition
33
Cancer
28
Diabetes
20
Stroke
18
Kidney disease
13
Dementia
4

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
12.3% 189
Did not provide
87.7% 1,350

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
20.7% 319
Not a volunteer
79.3% 1,219

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Previously served
1.9% 30
Never served
98.1% 1,513

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
46.6%
1 child
14.5%
2 children
26.6%
3 children
9.0%
4 children
3.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
9
1951: 1960
20
1961: 1970
46
1971: 1980
65
1981: 1990
77
1991: 2000
69
2001: 2010
108
2011: 2015
62
2016
12
2017
12
2018
22
2019
6
2020
11
2021
8

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

14.5%
moved in the last year
40.8%
moved in the last 5 years
3.9%
unemployment rate (Census)
62.6%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
1,524
Moved from NSW
121
Moved: same area (SA2)
86
Moved from overseas
29
Moved from VIC
10
Moved from QLD
8
Moved from ACT
4

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
25.1%
5: 14 hours
37.8%
15: 29 hours
15.1%
30+ hours
7.1%
Did not do domestic work
14.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
88.7%
Step family: no other children
9.2%
Blended family: no other children
2.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Balmain East Crime Statistics

21 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Assault
5
Theft
5
Other Against Property
5
Other Against Person
3
Property Damage
2
Sexual Offences
1

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Wamboin
Income: $1,362/wk Rent: $520/wk $97/wk less rent
Bywong
Income: $1,328/wk Rent: $450/wk $167/wk less rent
Carwoola
Income: $1,283/wk Rent: $450/wk $167/wk less rent
Kirribilli
Income: $1,598/wk Rent: $520/wk $97/wk less rent
McMahons Point
Income: $1,664/wk Rent: $580/wk $37/wk less rent
Gundaroo
Income: $1,352/wk Rent: $475/wk $142/wk less rent
Kurraba Point
Income: $1,744/wk Rent: $610/wk $7/wk less rent
Royalla
Income: $1,285/wk Rent: $530/wk $87/wk less rent

Suburbs near Balmain East

The closest suburb to Balmain East is Birchgrove, 1.1 km away.

Birchgrove
1.1 km away · income $1,661/wk · rent $700/wk
Millers Point
1.1 km away · income $1,723/wk · rent $800/wk
Balmain
1.2 km away · income $1,577/wk · rent $625/wk
McMahons Point
1.4 km away · income $1,664/wk · rent $580/wk
Pyrmont
1.5 km away · income $1,297/wk · rent $580/wk
Waverton
1.7 km away · income $1,528/wk · rent $600/wk

Compare Balmain East

Frequently Asked Questions About Balmain East

What is the population of Balmain East NSW?

The population of Balmain East NSW is 1,900 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 5,539 people per km². Balmain East is ranked #3,104 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Balmain East?

The median personal income in Balmain East NSW is $1,550 per week, or $80,600 per year. The median household income is $3,020 per week. Family income is $4,641 per week. Balmain East is ranked #100 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Balmain East?

Median rent in Balmain East NSW is $617 per week ($2,674 per month). Rent represents 20.4% of household income, which is considered affordable. Balmain East ranks #188 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Balmain East?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Balmain East NSW is $4,333. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Balmain East?

The median age in Balmain East NSW is 46 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Balmain East a good suburb to live in?

Balmain East is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 1,900. The median income is $1,550/wk, which is above the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (20.4% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Sydney Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 10166. All dollar figures in AUD.