Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
West Ballina suburb profile
West Ballina, NSW · Postcode 2478
This West Ballina suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for West Ballina, NSW (postcode 2478). 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 West Ballina with nearby suburbs.
West Ballina at a glance
Population
3,230
Median rent
$370/wk
Household income
$1,015/wk
Median age
54
West Ballina 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
+11.8% over 10 years
Population
3,230
was 3,023 in 2016
+207 · +6.8%
Median rent
$370/wk
was $320/wk in 2016
+$50 · +15.6%
Household income
$1,015/wk
was $943/wk in 2016
+$72 · +7.6%
Median age
54
was 54 in 2016
0 · 0%
Dig deeper: West Ballina population growth · West Ballina then and now
West Ballina vs nearby & NSW
Median Census 2021 figures for West Ballina, nearby suburbs (8), and the NSW state median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-11.9% vs area
- West Ballina$370/wk
- Nearby$505/wk
- NSW$420/wk
Household income
-44.9% vs area
- West Ballina$1,015/wk
- Nearby$1,656.5/wk
- NSW$1,843/wk
Median age
+35% vs area
- West Ballina54
- Nearby46.5
- NSW40
Personal income
-25.6% vs area
- West Ballina$601/wk
- Nearby$793/wk
- NSW$808/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in NSW.
Socio-economic profile
How West Ballina compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
West Ballina sits below average for socio-economic advantage compared with suburbs Australia-wide. It shows limited economic resources and lower education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 2944.4
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 2917
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 2949.7
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 2909.4
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
West Ballina on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for West Ballina, NSW.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
West Ballina people
- Population
- 3,230
- Median age
- 54
- Born overseas
- 9.8%
- Average household size
- 2.1
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
West Ballina income
- Median household income
- $1,015/wk
- Median personal income
- $601/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
West Ballina housing
- Median rent
- $370/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,863/mo
- Separate houses
- 64.9%
- Flats & apartments
- 3.7%
- Owned outright
- 45.4%
- Mortgaged
- 19.9%
- Rented
- 26.4%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 4.9%
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
West Ballina work
- Employment to population
- 41.1%
- Unemployment rate
- 5%
- Year 12 or above
- 35.1%
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 2478)
Compare West Ballina with nearby suburbs
West Ballina in numbers
West Ballina had 3,230 residents at the 2021 Census. The median age is 54, 32% above the typical NSW suburb. The average household has 2.1 people. 9.8% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 45.4% own their home outright, 19.9% are paying a mortgage, 26.4% rent. Separate houses make up 64.9% of dwellings, with 3.7% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $370/wk, 7% below the typical NSW suburb.
Median household income was $1,015/wk, 44% below the typical NSW suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 5%. 35.1% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 2 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 6.8% (from 3,023 to 3,230). Median rent moved from $320/wk to $370/wk (+15.6%).
West Ballina suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in West Ballina, NSW?
- The median weekly rent in West Ballina was $370/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in West Ballina, NSW?
- West Ballina had 3,230 residents at the 2021 Census, up 6.8% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in West Ballina?
- Median household income in West Ballina was $1,015/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in West Ballina?
- 26.4% of occupied homes in West Ballina were rented, 45.4% were owned outright and 19.9% were owned with a mortgage.
About this West Ballina suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching West Ballina. 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