Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 28° / 19°
- Rainfall
- 569 mm · ~71 rainy days
NSW · Ballina Council
Meerschaum Vale, 2477
Population
372
Median age
47
Median income
$1,968/wk
Employed
62.3%
Languages at home
2%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Meerschaum Vale offers a slower smaller community life in Ballina, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Life revolves around the local community, with the wider region offering trips and services when needed. Open skies and rolling countryside set a calm backdrop to everyday routines.
The area suits established families and long-term locals, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name. Public transport is a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods.
Property is in demand, reflecting the appeal of living in a place people actively choose. Occasional new builds add variety while most of the suburb keeps its established look.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and growth momentum against similar regional towns, even with housing affordability and transport and access holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Living here
Desirability
- Desirability score
- 43.8/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 43% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2927th in Australia
- State rank
- 923rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #96 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #251 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 60%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $530
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $750
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $700
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 59
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
Population
- Population
- 372
- Median age
- 47
- Median household income / week
- $1,968
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 11 of 144
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,582
- Employment rate
- 62.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 8 / 0 / 0
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.
Community & culture
2% speak a language other than English at home; 6.6% born overseas
- Language at home
- 348 English only · 7 other
- Non-English at home
- 2%
- Born overseas
- 23 (6.6%)
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- 12 (3.2%)
- Australian citizens
- 348
2021 Census — languages spoken at home, birthplace, and Indigenous status (usual residence).
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.
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 15
- Against the person
- 4
- Against property
- 8
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 40.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 93 residents
- State safety percentile
- 15.4th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +0.3%
Reported offences are unchanged compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault37
- Fraud33
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment40
- Malicious Damage To Property62
- Steal From Motor Vehicle47
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
Family & Lifestyle
Public transport
48 public transport stops in this suburb
- 20 Justelius Rd
- 944 Wardell Rd
- Marom Creek Rd At Justelius Rd
- Marom Creek Rd At Wardell Rd
- Wardell Rd Opp Marom Creek 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)
Amenities
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived from OpenStreetMap & Census) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 612 mm · ~76 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 20° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 289 mm · ~36 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 300 mm · ~38 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Period: seasonal · Updated on site · Static grid from WorldClim monthly averages
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
12 planning-related records
2026· 2 proposals
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool60 GAHANS ROAD MEERSCHAUM VALE 2477Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)590 BAGOTVILLE ROAD MEERSCHAUM VALE 2477Under Assessment
2025· 1 proposal
April 2025
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support782 WARDELL ROAD MEERSCHAUM VALE 2477Determined
2024· 1 proposal
January 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure48 AMBER PLACE MEERSCHAUM VALE 2477Determined
2023· 2 proposals
July 2023
- Dual occupancy196 BARTLETTS LANE MEERSCHAUM VALE 2477Determined
May 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development; Garages, carports and car parking spaces126 BAGOTVILLE ROAD MEERSCHAUM VALE 2477Determined
2022· 3 proposals
July 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing126 BAGOTVILLE ROAD MEERSCHAUM VALE 2477Determined
April 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing; Alterations and additions to residential development782 WARDELL ROAD MEERSCHAUM VALE 2477Determined
January 2022
- Subdivision of land937 WARDELL ROAD MEERSCHAUM VALE 2477Determined
2021· 3 proposals
December 2021
- Dual occupancy72 JUSTELIUS ROAD MEERSCHAUM VALE 2477Determined
November 2021
- Demolition; Shed; Other958 WARDELL ROAD MEERSCHAUM VALE 2477Determined
October 2021
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs978 WARDELL ROAD MEERSCHAUM VALE 2477Determined
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)
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
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 7/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 8/10
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
Recent changes
- Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime37
- Fraudcrime33
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime40
- Malicious Damage To Propertycrime62
- Steal From Motor Vehiclecrime47
- 20 Justelius Rdtransport
- 944 Wardell Rdtransport
- Marom Creek Rd At Justelius Rdtransport
- Marom Creek Rd At Wardell Rdtransport
- Wardell Rd Opp Marom Creek Rdtransport
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
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.