Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Balmain East suburb profile
Balmain East, NSW · Postcode 2041
This Balmain East suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Balmain East, NSW (postcode 2041). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare Balmain East with nearby suburbs.
Balmain East at a glance
Population
1,900
Median rent
$617/wk
Household income
$3,020/wk
Median age
46
Balmain East trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+1.8% over 10 years
Population
1,900
was 1,932 in 2016
-32 · -1.7%
Median rent
$617/wk
was $580/wk in 2016
+$37 · +6.4%
Household income
$3,020/wk
was $2,485/wk in 2016
+$535 · +21.5%
Median age
46
was 43 in 2016
+3 · +7%
Dig deeper: Balmain East population growth · Balmain East then and now
Balmain East vs nearby & Greater Sydney
Median Census 2021 figures for Balmain East, nearby suburbs (8), and the Sydney metro median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
+25.9% vs area
- Balmain East$617/wk
- Nearby$610/wk
- Sydney$490/wk
Household income
+42.5% vs area
- Balmain East$3,020/wk
- Nearby$2,939/wk
- Sydney$2,119.5/wk
Median age
+15% vs area
- Balmain East46
- Nearby38.5
- Sydney40
Personal income
+71.6% vs area
- Balmain East$1,550/wk
- Nearby$1,477/wk
- Sydney$903.5/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in NSW. See Sydney rankings.
Socio-economic profile
How Balmain East compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Balmain East ranks among Australia's most advantaged suburbs. It shows high education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 101,096.8
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 101,164.2
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 61,026.4
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 101,191.2
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Balmain East on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Balmain East, NSW.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Balmain East people
- Population
- 1,900
- Median age
- 46
- Born overseas
- 28%
- Average household size
- 2.2
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Balmain East income
- Median household income
- $3,020/wk
- Median personal income
- $1,550/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Balmain East housing
- Median rent
- $617/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $4,333/mo
- Separate houses
- 13.4%
- Flats & apartments
- 32.1%
- Owned outright
- 29.3%
- Mortgaged
- 20.4%
- Rented
- 34.8%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 14.8%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
Balmain East work
- Employment to population
- 60.2%
- Unemployment rate
- 4%
- Year 12 or above
- 81.2%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 2041)
Compare Balmain East with nearby suburbs
Balmain East in numbers
Balmain East had 1,900 residents at the 2021 Census. The median age is 46, 12% above the typical NSW suburb. The average household has 2.2 people. 28% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 29.3% own their home outright, 20.4% are paying a mortgage, 34.8% rent. Flats and apartments make up 32.1% of dwellings, with 13.4% separate houses. Median rent was $617/wk, 54% above the typical NSW suburb.
Median household income was $3,020/wk, 67% above the typical NSW suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 4%. 81.2% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 10 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population fell 1.7% (from 1,932 to 1,900). Median rent moved from $580/wk to $617/wk (+6.4%).
Balmain East suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Balmain East, NSW?
- The median weekly rent in Balmain East was $617/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Balmain East, NSW?
- Balmain East had 1,900 residents at the 2021 Census, down 1.7% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Balmain East?
- Median household income in Balmain East was $3,020/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Balmain East?
- 34.8% of occupied homes in Balmain East were rented, 29.3% were owned outright and 20.4% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Balmain East suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Balmain East. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology · Richest suburbs in Sydney