NSW · Ballina Council
Ballina, 2478
Current weather
18.5°COvercast
86% humidity · 6.2 km/h wind · 21.1° / 15.2° today · 0.1 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Ballina is a regional centre in Ballina that balances local services with a more relaxed pace of life. Life revolves around the local community, with the wider region offering trips and services when needed. Leafy streets and shaded corners make the suburb feel greener and more established than many nearby.
An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with family-friendly schooling within easy reach. Local shops, markets and community spots keep everyday life grounded in the town itself. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls.
Buses and nearby services make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward. The area offers approachable housing costs alongside a lifestyle that still feels complete.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities and safety lag similar regional towns, despite relative strength in parks and green space and growth momentum. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 9,735
- Median age
- 56
- Median household income / week
- $1,013
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 383 of 4,745
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 41.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 347 / 1,429 / 433
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $595
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $850
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $755
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 236
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 913
- Against the person
- 174
- Against property
- 489
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 93.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 56 residents
- State safety percentile
- 65.7th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +13%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions342
- Fraud335
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment155
- Malicious Damage To Property240
- Steal From Retail Store305
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 6
- Median school ICSEA (6 schools)
- 998.5
- Ballina Coast High SchoolSecondary
- Ballina Public SchoolPrimary
- Biala Special SchoolSpecial
- Emmanuel Anglican CollegeCombined
- Richmond Christian CollegeCombined
- St Francis Xavier Primary SchoolPrimary
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
318 public transport stops in this suburb
- Ballina Hospital, Bentinck St
- North Creek Rd Before Yellowfin Way
- North Creek Rd Opp Magnolia Dr
- River St After Brunswick St
- River St Opp Ballina Public Library
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Roadworks & transport
2 active roadworks / incidents
- Allow extra travel time. Check signage.River Street, Tweed Street09 Jun 2026 – 16 Jul 2026
- Follow directions on site. Allow extra travel time. Expect delays. During the works, there will be temporary lane closures, road closures, detours and possible delays. Traffic controllers will be on site to direct motorists. Temporary parking restrictions will apply within the work area.Kerr St, Swift Street26 Jun 2026 – 03 Jul 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
384 planning-related records
2026· 27 proposals
June 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Clothes hoists and clothes lines; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space; Hot water systems; Letterboxes; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alteration1 RUSSELL STREET BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)155 BURNET STREET BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool36 IRONBARK ROAD BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah44-46 CHERRY STREET BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Industrial development; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; General industry62 DE-HAVILLAND CRESCENT BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport32 BOEING AVENUE BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure141 BURNET STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached)74 NORTON STREET BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Minor building alterations (external)1 6 KING STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool28 BANTRY STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
April 2026
- Restaurant or cafe; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia81 TAMAR STREET BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool15 CARGELLIGO CRESCENT BALLINA 2478Additional Information Requested
March 2026
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 ENDEAVOUR CLOSE BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool11 SUNBIRD AVENUE BALLINA 2478Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Fences; Swimming pool8 OAKWOOD DRIVE BALLINA 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation21 CARGELLIGO CRESCENT BALLINA 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport7 TIPPERARY PLACE BALLINA 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation15 SWIFT STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure19 LEESON AVENUE BALLINA 2478Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Fences; Residential Accommodation117 CHERRY STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Supporting Development8 OAKWOOD DRIVE BALLINA 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool3 BRUNSWICK STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
February 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Transport depot69 SOUTHERN CROSS DRIVE BALLINA 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation60 NORTON STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool10 CAMOOLA AVENUE BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah5 KING LANE BALLINA 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport58 CATHERINE CRESCENT BALLINA 2478Determined
2025· 13 proposals
December 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation104 CHERRY STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool6 EIDER QUADRANT BALLINA 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home47 CLAVAN STREET BALLINA 2478Withdrawn
- Warehouse or distribution centre; Erection of a new structure; Business identification sign; General industry7 HERCULES CRESCENT BALLINA 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 OAKWOOD DRIVE BALLINA 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Health services facility2 81 TAMAR STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
- Subdivision8 CARGELLIGO CRESCENT BALLINA 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Fences84 TEMPLE STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)27 CARGELLIGO CRESCENT BALLINA 2478Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 WEJUBA GARDENS BALLINA 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation180 FOX STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
- Industrial development; Erection of a new structure; General industry5 HERCULES CRESCENT BALLINA 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; General industry14-16 SIMMONS STREET BALLINA 2478Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
28 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Baggage CarouselBag
- The Salt BarBar
- OMFBed
- Byron Byron Gateway Airport Tour OperatorsBus Station
- Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, Southern Cross DrBus stop
- Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, Southern Cross DriveBus stop
- Ferngrove Dr after Tamarind DrBus stop
- North Creek Rd at Southern Cross DrBus stop
- North Creek Rd before Yellowfin WayBus stop
- North Creek Rd opp Magnolia DrBus stop
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
14 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bagot ParkPark
- Ballina Nature ReserveNature reserve
- Boomerang ParkPark
- Captain Cook ParkPark
- Cawarra ParkPark
- Clement ParkPark
- Commemoration ParkPark
- Kingsford Smith ParkPark
- Meldrum ParkPark
- Missingham ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 10
- Emergency department
- On site
- Ballina Coast DentalTamar Streetdentist
- Ballina Day SurgeryTamar Streetyes
- Ballina District HospitalCherry Streethospital
- Ballina Family Medical Centredoctor
- Bullinah Aboriginal Health ServiceTamar Streetclinic
- Gleam DentalGrant Streetdentist
- Ochre Medical CentreGrant Streetdoctor
- Pacific Smiles Dentaldentist
- River Street Smilesdentist
- TerryWhite Chemmartpharmacy
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
1 state heritage place
- Brundah37 Norton Street BallinaSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- River Street Childrens CentreRiver Streetchildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 45
- Parks (OSM)
- 17
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 53.0/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 24% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1597th in Australia
- State rank
- 507th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #34 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #95 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Airline Check-inamenitiescheck-in
- BPamenitiesfuel
- Baggage Carouselamenitiesbag
- Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Rental Car Desksamenitiescar_rental
- Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Rental Car Parking Lotamenitiescar_rental
- Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, Southern Cross Dramenitiesbus_stop
- Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, Southern Cross Driveamenitiesbus_stop
- Ballina Jockey ClubamenitiesRacecourse Road, Ballinasports_centre
- Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport Taxi Standamenitiestaxi
- Bicentennial Gardensamenitiesparking
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Ballina Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.