East Ballina, NSW: suburb profile

The population of East Ballina NSW is 5,882 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in East Ballina is $814 per week ($42,328 per year). Median rent in East Ballina is $460 per week ($1,993 per month). East Ballina has a median age of 48 years, older than the national median of 38. East Ballina has a population density of 905 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in East Ballina is England. The most common religion is No religion (44.1% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Portuguese. The median monthly mortgage repayment in East Ballina is $1,800.

There were 36 recorded offences in East Ballina in 2025-26, a rate of 6 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (16 offences).

Population
5,882
Census 2021
Median income
$814/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$460/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
48years
Census 2021

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

East Ballina vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in East Ballina is $814 a week, 6% above the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 886th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $460 a week, $75 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 29.6% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 48, 5 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.
MeasureEast BallinaTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$814/wk$765/wk +6%$766/wk
Household income$1,554/wk$1,704/wk −9%$1,637/wk
Rent$460/wk$385/wk +19%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,800/mo$1,965/mo −8%$1,733/mo
Median age4843 +5 yrs42
Rent share of household income29.6%22.6% +7.0 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 East Ballina, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

East Ballina Population

5,882 residents at the 2021 Census.

East Ballina Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$814/wk
$42,328 per year
Ranked 3,355 of 14,663
Median Rent
$460/wk
$1,993 per month
Ranked 939 of 14,663
Median Age
48years
10 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,800/mo
Avg household size: 2.3 · 0.7 per bedroom

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

East Ballina Rent Prices & Affordability

30% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,554/wk
Median rent $460/wk
Rent to income 29.6%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in East Ballina against your income

About $6,734 a month
Median rent $460/wk
Left after rent $1,094/wk
Rent share 29.6%

East Ballina Schools

7
schools nearby
4
government
971
avg ICSEA score
2,758
total students
Xavier Catholic College Ballina Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 884 students
1081
ICSEA
Southern Cross Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 388 students
1053
ICSEA
St Francis Xavier Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 398 students
1045
ICSEA
Ballina Coast High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 722 students
952
ICSEA
Biala Special School Independent
Combined · U · 33 students
898
ICSEA
Southern Cross School of Distance Education Government
Combined · K-12 · 79 students
896
ICSEA
Ballina Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 254 students
869
ICSEA

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

All schools near East Ballina, with a map

East Ballina Map

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

East Ballina, New South Wales: 28.8585°S, 153.5889°E

East Ballina Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (7)

People in East Ballina

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.5% (2,849) Female 51.5% (3,031)

Population Density

905
people per km²
5,882 people · 6.5 km²

Households

2.3
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,926
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
3.1%
New Zealand
1.6%
United States of America
0.6%
South Africa
0.5%
Germany
0.5%
Ireland
0.4%
Canada
0.4%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Portuguese
0.5%
German
0.4%
French
0.4%
Japanese
0.4%
Thai
0.3%
Spanish
0.3%
Croatian
0.2%

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

Ancestry

English
45.3%
Australian
38.0%
Irish
15.9%
Scottish
13.4%
German
4.9%
Italian
3.3%
Australian Aboriginal
2.6%
Dutch
1.4%
French
0.9%
Welsh
0.8%
New Zealander
0.7%

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
44.1%
Catholic
21.6%
Anglican
15.0%
Not stated
6.1%
Presbyterian and Reformed
3.5%
Uniting Church
2.7%
Christian (other)
1.8%
Buddhism
1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

2.6%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
48.1% 2,392
Separated
3.6% 178
Divorced
11.0% 545
Widowed
5.6% 276
Never married
31.7% 1,577

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
36.9%
Couple: children under 15
34.5%
Couple: no children under 15
14.0%
One parent: children under 15
7.9%
One parent: no children under 15
6.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
26.2%
2 persons
42.5%
3 persons
13.4%
4 persons
12.1%
5 persons
4.4%
6+ persons
1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in East Ballina

Housing Tenure

Of the 2,409 occupied private dwellings in East Ballina at the 2021 Census, 27.9% were rented, 44.9% owned outright and 24.7% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.0% 24 dwellings
Owned outright
44.9% 1,082 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
24.7% 594 dwellings
Rented
27.9% 672 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.8% 43 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
66.6%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
22.1%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
11.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
1.2%
2 bedrooms
22.4%
3 bedrooms
46.8%
4 bedrooms
24.8%
5 bedrooms
4.3%
6+ bedrooms
0.5%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
7.6%
$300-$449/mo
2.9%
$450-$599/mo
2.3%
$600-$799/mo
2.9%
$800-$999/mo
5.5%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
13.1%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
18.4%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
21.9%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
12.5%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
12.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
2.3%
1 vehicle
37.8%
2 vehicles
43.4%
3 vehicles
11.2%
4+ vehicles
5.3%

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

Work, income and education in East Ballina

Employment

Employed full-time
31.0% 1,407 people
Employed part-time
25.6% 1,160 people
Unemployed
1.9% 84 people
Not in labour force
41.6% 1,889 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
34.2%
Community & Personal Service
14.6%
Technicians & Trade Workers
13.7%
Clerical & Administrative
12.4%
Managers
12.2%
Labourers
5.4%
Sales Workers
4.8%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
2.7%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.3%
$1-$149/wk
0.6%
$150-$299/wk
1.1%
$300-$399/wk
1.7%
$400-$499/wk
5.8%
$500-$649/wk
5.9%
$650-$799/wk
7.6%
$800-$999/wk
8.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
7.9%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.7%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.4%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.5%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
12.0%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
7.3%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
6.1%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.7%
$4,000+/wk
9.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
6.1%
$1-$149/wk
4.3%
$150-$299/wk
5.9%
$300-$399/wk
3.8%
$400-$499/wk
4.4%
$500-$649/wk
4.3%
$650-$799/wk
10.8%
$800-$999/wk
11.7%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
13.7%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.1%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.8%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.4%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
8.2%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.6%
$3,500+/wk
2.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
73.1%
Did not go to work
17.7%
Car (passenger)
4.1%
Bicycle
1.8%
Walked only
1.4%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.6%
Bus
0.5%
Truck
0.4%
Other
0.4%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.1%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
59.5%
Year 10 or equivalent
27.7%
Year 11 or equivalent
7.4%
Year 9 or equivalent
5.4%

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
33.8%
Certificate III/IV
31.7%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
19.0%
Postgraduate Degree
7.9%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
5.7%
Certificate I/II
1.9%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
19.1%
Health
17.1%
Education
13.6%
Society & Culture
12.9%
Engineering
11.2%
Architecture & Building
8.6%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
6.0%
Creative Arts
4.8%
Agriculture & Environment
3.7%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.3%
Information Technology
0.8%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
19.8%
Vocational Education
14.2%
Secondary: Catholic
13.8%
Secondary: Government
13.5%
Primary: Catholic
13.5%
Pre-school
13.3%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
6.7%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
5.2%

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
90.2%
Has need for assistance
4.9%
Need for assistance not stated
4.9%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
530
Arthritis
263
Heart disease
210
Asthma
190
Lung condition
125
Cancer
124
Diabetes
117
Kidney disease
61
Stroke
60
Dementia
21

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
15.9% 744
Did not provide
84.1% 3,945

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
18.8% 883
Not a volunteer
81.2% 3,817

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Previously served
3.4% 161
Never served
96.6% 4,560

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
27.3%
1 child
12.4%
2 children
33.3%
3 children
19.0%
4 children
6.5%
5+ children
1.5%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
15
1951: 1960
57
1961: 1970
110
1971: 1980
83
1981: 1990
81
1991: 2000
60
2001: 2010
120
2011: 2015
76
2016
20
2017
18
2018
13
2019
17
2020
10
2021
8

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

Population Mobility

15.4%
moved in the last year
41.4%
moved in the last 5 years
3.0%
unemployment rate (Census)
57.3%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
4,687
Moved from NSW
449
Moved: same area (SA2)
235
Moved from QLD
51
Moved from VIC
45
Moved from overseas
42
Moved from TAS
8
Moved from SA
7
Moved from WA
5
Moved from ACT
3

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
22.0%
5: 14 hours
33.9%
15: 29 hours
15.6%
30+ hours
9.4%
Did not do domestic work
19.1%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
86.2%
Step family: no other children
8.4%
Blended family: no other children
3.4%
Intact family: other children present
1.5%
Other couple: children only
0.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

East Ballina Crime Statistics

36 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
16
Property Damage
7
Other Against Property
5
Assault
3
Sexual Offences
2
Other Against Person
2
Drug Offences
1

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

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

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Valla
Income: $674/wk Rent: $310/wk $150/wk less rent
Marks Point
Income: $659/wk Rent: $318/wk $142/wk less rent
Tarrawanna
Income: $674/wk Rent: $340/wk $120/wk less rent
Belmont (NSW)
Income: $697/wk Rent: $340/wk $120/wk less rent
South Bowenfels
Income: $727/wk Rent: $370/wk $90/wk less rent
Point Frederick
Income: $882/wk Rent: $390/wk $70/wk less rent
Kincumber
Income: $686/wk Rent: $400/wk $60/wk less rent
Springwood (NSW)
Income: $855/wk Rent: $400/wk $60/wk less rent

Suburbs near East Ballina

The closest suburb to East Ballina is Skennars Head, 2.8 km away.

Skennars Head
2.8 km away · income $794/wk · rent $550/wk
Ballina
4.0 km away · income $615/wk · rent $360/wk
West Ballina
6.4 km away · income $601/wk · rent $370/wk
Cumbalum
7.0 km away · income $897/wk · rent $610/wk
Lennox Head
7.5 km away · income $937/wk · rent $580/wk
Alstonville
14.0 km away · income $671/wk · rent $380/wk

Compare East Ballina

Frequently Asked Questions About East Ballina

What is the population of East Ballina NSW?

The population of East Ballina NSW is 5,882 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 905 people per km². East Ballina is ranked #1,333 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in East Ballina?

The median personal income in East Ballina NSW is $814 per week, or $42,328 per year. The median household income is $1,554 per week. Family income is $1,926 per week. East Ballina is ranked #3,355 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in East Ballina?

Median rent in East Ballina NSW is $460 per week ($1,993 per month). Rent represents 29.6% of household income, which is considered moderate. East Ballina ranks #939 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in East Ballina?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in East Ballina NSW is $1,800. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in East Ballina?

The median age in East Ballina NSW is 48 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is East Ballina a good suburb to live in?

East Ballina is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 5,882. The median income is $814/wk, which is above the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (29.6% 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: 11348. All dollar figures in AUD.