NSW · Inner West Council
Balmain, 2041
Current weather
17.1°CClear sky
51% humidity · 17.1 km/h wind · 21.2° / 13.8° today · 2.5 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- High desirability
- Green suburb
- Education hub
- Excellent transport
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Balmain hums with inner-city energy, a established suburb where there is always something happening nearby. Neighbouring suburbs are within easy reach, so the wider metro area always feels accessible. Tree-lined streets and leafy pockets give the suburb a noticeably green, settled character.
Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with a strong presence of young families throughout. There is a genuine buzz to daily life, with restaurants, bars and cultural outings all within reach. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb.
Buses and trains connect the area to surrounding suburbs, keeping the wider city within easy reach. Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by parks and green space and growth momentum, while housing affordability sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar metro suburbs.
Population
- Population
- 10,454
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $3,039
- Dwelling vacancy
- 11.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 572 of 5,037
- Median monthly mortgage
- $3,986
- Employment rate
- 66%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 239 / 1,785 / 1,684
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)
- $800
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $1,210
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $900
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 173
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)
- 655
- Against the person
- 154
- Against property
- 205
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 62.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 68 residents
- State safety percentile
- 41.5th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -6.4%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions217
- Domestic Violence Related Assault55
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment68
- Malicious Damage To Property71
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault74
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
- 4
- Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
- 1,171
- Balmain Public SchoolPrimary
- Birchgrove Public SchoolPrimary
- Fr John Therry Catholic Primary School Balmain - RozellePrimary
- Inner Sydney Montessori 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
51 public transport stops in this suburb
- Darling St After Elliott St
- Darling St At Mort St
- Darling St At Phillip St
- Darling St At Rowntree St
- Darling St Before Birchgrove Rd
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)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
1,000 planning-related records
2026· 40 proposals
June 2026
- Shop top housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure407 DARLING STREET BALMAIN 2041Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure51 GLASSOP STREET BALMAIN 2041Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure16 JACQUES STREET BALMAIN 2041Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure23 CHURCH STREET BALMAIN 2041Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 ROSEBERRY STREET BALMAIN 2041Under Assessment
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure17 JACQUES STREET BALMAIN 2041Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 ENNIS STREET BALMAIN 2041Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Supporting Development89 BEATTIE STREET BALMAIN 2041Determined
- Demolition65 CURTIS ROAD BALMAIN 2041Additional Information Requested
- Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure77 GLASSOP STREET BALMAIN 2041Additional Information Requested
- Demolition23 HIGH STREET BALMAIN 2041Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure10 WATERVIEW STREET BALMAIN 2041Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies36 GLASSOP STREET BALMAIN 2041Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)86 REYNOLDS STREET BALMAIN 2041Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation2 LITTLE DARLING STREET BALMAIN 2041Determined
- Demolition19 BRADFORD STREET BALMAIN 2041Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 ROSEBERRY STREET BALMAIN 2041Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure68 GLASSOP STREET BALMAIN 2041Additional Information Requested
- Demolition8 VALLEY STREET BALMAIN 2041Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation33 DONNELLY STREET BALMAIN 2041Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure27 CAMPBELL STREET BALMAIN 2041Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure28 CHURCH STREET BALMAIN 2041Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure402 DARLING STREET BALMAIN 2041Determined
April 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation163 BEATTIE STREET BALMAIN 2041Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support42 PASHLEY STREET BALMAIN 2041Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure107 BEATTIE STREET BALMAIN 2041Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation2 TILBA AVENUE BALMAIN 2041Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Fences9 ALEXANDER STREET BALMAIN 2041Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation6 BRADFORD STREET BALMAIN 2041Additional Information Requested
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation8 MONTAGUE STREET BALMAIN 2041Withdrawn
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Specialised Retail Premises274 DARLING STREET BALMAIN 2041Additional Information Requested
- Demolition26 SHORT STREET BALMAIN 2041Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure25 CAMPBELL STREET BALMAIN 2041Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation10 Beattie street Balmain NSW 2041Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 NORTH STREET BALMAIN 2041Additional Information Requested
- Demolition8 BRODERICK STREET BALMAIN 2041Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 TERRY STREET BALMAIN 2041Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure22 MACQUARIE TERRACE BALMAIN 2041Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure210 DARLING STREET BALMAIN 2041Additional Information Requested
- Business premises; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure257 DARLING STREET BALMAIN 2041Determined
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
186 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- BWSAlcohol
- Animal Grooming
- Bakers DelightBakery
- Darling pies & cafeBakery
- AZN BalmainBank
- Commonwealth BankBank
- NABBank
- st.georgeBank
- WestpacBank
274 Darling Street
- Cantina BarBar
350 Darling Street
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
13 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Ann Cashman ReservePark
- Birrung ParkPark
- Colgate Avenue ReservePark
- Elkington ParkPark
- Ewenton ParkPark
- Gladstone ParkPark
- Goodsir Street ReservePark
- Issy Wyner ReservePark
- Paringa ReservePark
- Punch ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 9
- Emergency department
- On site
- BALMAIN COMMUNITY PHARMACYpharmacy
- Balmain Hospitalhospital
- Balmain Villege Healthdoctor
- Dentistdentist
- Dentistry By DesignRowntree Streetdentist
- DoctorBeattie Streetdoctor
- Pharmacypharmacy
- Physiotherapistphysiotherapist
- Smile DentistryRowntree Streetdentist
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)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
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
5 state heritage places
- Balmain Hospital - Main BuildingBooth Street, BalmainSHR
- Dawn Fraser Swimming PoolGlassop Street, BalmainSHR
- Ewenton6 Ewenton Street BalmainSHR
- Hampton Villa12B Grafton Street BalmainSHR
- Louisaville2 Wells Street BalmainSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · 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)
- 27
- Parks (OSM)
- 27
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
- 70.0/100 — Excellent
- State standing
- Top 4% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 196th in Australia
- State rank
- 79th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #32 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #54 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 82%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- AZN Balmainamenitiesbank
- Alegrias Spanish TapasamenitiesUnit 9 332 Darling Streetrestaurant
- Andiamoamenities357 Darling Street, Balmainclothes
- Animal Groomingamenitiesanimal grooming
- Australia Postamenitiespost_box
- Australia Postamenitiespost_office
- BALMAIN COMMUNITY PHARMACYamenitiespharmacy
- BWSamenitiesalcohol
- Bakers Delightamenitiesbakery
- Balmain Libraryamenitieslibrary
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Inner West Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.