Balmain, NSW: suburb profile
The population of Balmain NSW is 10,454 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Balmain is $1,577 per week ($82,004 per year). Median rent in Balmain is $625 per week ($2,708 per month). Balmain has a median age of 42 years, older than the national median of 38. Balmain has a population density of 6,798 people per km².
The most common overseas birthplace in Balmain is England. The most common religion is No religion (51.9% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Balmain is $3,986.
There were 177 recorded offences in Balmain in 2025-26, a rate of 17 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was other against property (68 offences).
Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au), 2025-26.
Balmain vs the typical NSW suburb
The median personal income in Balmain is $1,577 a week, 106% above the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 31st of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $625 a week, $240 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 20.6% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 42, 1 year younger than in the typical NSW suburb (43).
| Measure | Balmain | Typical NSW | Difference | Typical Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal income | $1,577/wk | $765/wk | +106% | $766/wk |
| Household income | $3,039/wk | $1,704/wk | +78% | $1,637/wk |
| Rent | $625/wk | $385/wk | +62% | $330/wk |
| Mortgage repayment | $3,986/mo | $1,965/mo | +103% | $1,733/mo |
| Median age | 42 | 43 | −1 yrs | 42 |
| Rent share of household income | 20.6% | 22.6% | −2.0 pts | 20.3% |
Balmain Population
10,454 residents at the 2021 Census.
Balmain Median Income & Rent
Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.
Balmain Rent Prices & Affordability
21% of median household income goes on median rent
Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.
Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.
Median rent in Balmain against your income
Balmain Schools
Showing 15 of 54 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, with a mapBalmain Map
People in Balmain
Demographics
Gender Split
Population Density
Households
Age Distribution
Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)
Most common overseas birthplaces
Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL
Most common languages at home other than English
Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL
Ancestry
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
Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL
Indigenous Population
Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL
Marital Status
Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL
Family Structure
Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL
Household Size
Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL
Homes in Balmain
Housing Tenure
Of the 4,473 occupied private dwellings in Balmain at the 2021 Census, 41.4% were rented, 28.5% owned outright and 28.1% owned with a mortgage.
Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)
Dwelling Types
Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL
Number of Bedrooms
Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL
Monthly Mortgage Repayments
Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL
Car Ownership
Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL
Work, income and education in Balmain
Employment
Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL
Occupation
Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation
Weekly Household Income
Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL
Personal Weekly Income Distribution
Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL
How People Get to Work
Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL
Education Level
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
Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL
Field of Study
Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL
School & University Attendance
Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL
More from the 2021 Census
Need for Assistance
Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL
Long-term Health Conditions
Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL
Unpaid Carers
Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL
Volunteering
Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL
Military Service
Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL
Children Ever Born
Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL
When Migrants Arrived
Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL
Population Mobility
Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL
Where Residents Moved From
Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL
Unpaid Domestic Work
Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL
Family Blending
Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL
Balmain Crime Statistics
177 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.
Total offences by year
Source: NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au).
Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes
Suburbs near Balmain
The closest suburb to Balmain is Birchgrove, 0.9 km away.
Compare Balmain
Frequently Asked Questions About Balmain
What is the population of Balmain NSW?
The population of Balmain NSW is 10,454 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 6,798 people per km². Balmain is ranked #598 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.
What is the median income in Balmain?
The median personal income in Balmain NSW is $1,577 per week, or $82,004 per year. The median household income is $3,039 per week. Family income is $4,562 per week. Balmain is ranked #82 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.
How much is rent in Balmain?
Median rent in Balmain NSW is $625 per week ($2,708 per month). Rent represents 20.6% of household income, which is considered affordable. Balmain ranks #169 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.
What are mortgage repayments in Balmain?
The median monthly mortgage repayment in Balmain NSW is $3,986. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.
What is the median age in Balmain?
The median age in Balmain NSW is 42 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.
Is Balmain a good suburb to live in?
Balmain is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 10,454. The median income is $1,577/wk, which is above the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (20.6% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.
Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 10165. All dollar figures in AUD.