Ballina
NSW 2478 · Ballina
9,735 (2021) → 9,852 est. (2025) · Stable
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Ballina is a stable suburb in Ballina, NSW 2478, about 603km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $1.00M is around the same as the NSW average. The suburb has 5 schools, a transport score of 64/100, and is a short drive from the coast. Ballina has an overall score of 62/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 9/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2478 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (3.62%), New Zealand (1.75%), India (0.99%), Philippines (0.67%), South Africa (0.41%)
Top languages: Punjabi (0.76%), Thai (0.4%), Italian (0.3%), Australian Indigenous Languages (0.27%), Spanish (0.27%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: NSW Valuer General · Updated Q1 2026
Residential Safety
Recorded residential incidents (latest year), with rate per 100,000 residents:
Includes street and public-place assaults — supplementary context, not part of the safety score.
Residential incidents over time
Sum of the five residential categories above — not all recorded crime.
Area crime context
An independent score — crime data quality varies by state, so safety is shown separately and is not part of the overall score.
Source: BOCSAR · Updated March 2026
Schools
Limited school choices
Below average for school access — fewer schools nearby, and families may need to travel for preferred options.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 1004 (above the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Richmond Christian CollegeCombined · IndependentICSEA 1069
- St Francis Xavier Primary SchoolPrimary · CatholicICSEA 1045
- Ballina Coast High SchoolSecondary · GovernmentICSEA 952
- Biala Special SchoolCombined · IndependentICSEA 898
- Ballina Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 869
Nearby (within 10km)
- Southern Cross School of Distance EducationCombined · Government · 2.8kmICSEA 896
- Southern Cross Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.9kmICSEA 1053
- Emmanuel Anglican CollegeCombined · Independent · 3.7kmICSEA 1113
- Xavier Catholic College BallinaSecondary · Catholic · 4.1kmICSEA 1081
- Holy Family Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 4.2kmICSEA 1102
- Lennox Head Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 5.9kmICSEA 1064
- Teven-Tintenbar Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 7.6kmICSEA 1057
- Empire Vale Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 9.8kmICSEA 941
- North Coast PathwaySecondary · Independent · 9.9kmICSEA 998
- Fernleigh Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 10kmICSEA 1032
Source: ACARA MySchool · Updated 2025
Transport
Source: TfNSW GTFS
Employment & Economy
Top local industries
Source: DEWR SALM / ABS Census 2021 · Updated SALM Mar 2026 / 2021 Census
Liveability
Amenities within 2–3km
Counted within a short distance of the suburb centre (so nearby facilities count), with the in-boundary count shown beneath.
In this suburb
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap · Healthdirect NHSD (via Geoscience Australia)
Fitness
Limited facilities
Below average — fewer fitness options nearby, so you may need to travel to a gym or pool.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Mostly urban
Very little parkland or outdoor recreation in and around this suburb.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
Few cultural venues
Very few cultural venues in and around this suburb.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Culture Score is a national percentile weighting theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and arts centres most heavily.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Entertainment Scene
Solid scene
Well above average for licensed venues — you won't struggle for a night out or a good meal.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: Liquor & Gaming NSW · Updated June 2024
Childcare
Strong options nearby
Well above average for childcare services — good choice and quality, with most families finding a place without a long drive.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register · Updated July 2026
Aged Care
Government-subsidised aged care services located in this suburb. Star Ratings are the official ratings for residential aged care homes.
Source: Dept of Health, Disability and Ageing · Updated May 2026 Star Ratings
Places of Worship
Mapped places of worship within 3km of the suburb centre, grouped by religion where recorded. Community mapping may not capture every congregation.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Population & Growth
StableSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Ballina
Compare Ballina with another suburb
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Frequently asked questions about Ballina
Is Ballina safe?
Ballina has a residential safety score of 9/100, based on residential crime (break-ins, theft from dwellings, vehicle theft, domestic assault and robbery) per resident relative to the NSW median. Its total recorded incident rate is 15,727 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Ballina?
In Ballina, the median house price is $1.00M and the median unit price is $778K. Median weekly house rent is $850.
How far is Ballina from Sydney CBD?
Ballina is about 602.5 km from Sydney CBD.
What schools are in Ballina?
Ballina has 5 schools, with an average ICSEA of 967 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Ballina?
Ballina has a transport score of 64/100, including 1 train station.