New South Wales · Suburb Profile

Balmain East NSW — Suburb Profile

Population, median income, rent prices, housing costs and demographics for Balmain East, New South Wales. ABS Census 2021.

The population of Balmain East NSW is 1,900 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Balmain East is $1,550 per week ($80,600 per year). Median rent in Balmain East is $617 per week ($2,674 per month). Balmain East has a median age of 46 years, older than the national median of 38. Balmain East has a population density of 5539.4 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Balmain East is England. The most common religion is No Religion (54% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Arabic. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Balmain East is $4,333.

There were 21 recorded offences in Balmain East in 2025-26, a rate of 11 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was assault (5 offences).

Balmain East Map

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Balmain East Population

residents (Census 2021)

Balmain East Median Income & Rent

💰

Median Income

$1,550/wk

$80,600 per year

#100 of 14,663

🏠

Median Rent

$617/wk

$2,674 per month

#188 of 14,663

👤

Median Age

46years

8 years older than national median

🏡

Mortgage

$4,333/mo

Avg household size: 2.2 · 0.9 per bedroom

Balmain East Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.9% (931) Female 51.1% (971)

Population Density

5539.4

people per km²

1,900 people · 0.3 km²

Households

2.2

Avg household size

0.9

Persons per bedroom

$4,641

Family income/wk

Balmain East Age Distribution

0-4

5-9

10-14

15-19

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

45-49

50-54

55-59

60-64

65-69

70-74

75-79

80-84

85+

♂ Male ♀ Female

Source: ABS Census 2021 — Suburb & Locality (SAL)

Balmain East Housing Tenure

🏠

Owned outright

59.0% 273 dwellings

🏦

Owned with mortgage

41.0% 190 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021 — Suburb & Locality (SAL)

Balmain East Country of Birth

Australia

83.9%

England

13.4%

China

0.5%

India

0.5%

Canada

0.4%

France

0.4%

Hong Kong

0.4%

Iran

0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G09 — Country of Birth by SAL

Balmain East Religion

No Religion

53.6%

Catholic

22.5%

Anglican

11.6%

Not stated

6.7%

Eastern Orthodox

1.6%

Uniting Church

1.4%

Christian (other)

1.3%

Christinty Prsbytrin Refrmd

1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G14 — Religion by SAL

Balmain East Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent

87.5%

Year 10 or equivalent

8.7%

Year 11 or equivalent

2.0%

Year 9 or equivalent

1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G16 — Highest Year of School by SAL

Balmain East Languages Spoken at Home

Arabic

18.0%

Mandarin

16.4%

Spanish

16.4%

Other

11.5%

Greek

9.8%

Serbian

8.2%

Cantonese

6.6%

Italian

6.6%

Japan

6.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G13 — Language Spoken at Home by SAL

Balmain East Employment

💼

Employed full-time

45.0% 666 people

⏰

Employed part-time

16.8% 248 people

🔍

Unemployed

2.8% 41 people

🏠

Not in labour force

35.4% 524 people

Source: ABS Census 2021 G46 — Labour Force Status by SAL

Balmain East Qualifications

Bachelor Degree

47.4%

Postgraduate Degree

27.1%

Advanced Diploma/Diploma

10.8%

Certificate III/IV

9.3%

Graduate Diploma/Certificate

5.2%

Certificate I/II

0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G49 — Non-School Qualification by SAL

Balmain East Occupation

Professionals

51.7%

Managers

27.5%

Clerical & Administrative

8.9%

Sales Workers

4.2%

Technicians & Trade Workers

3.3%

Community & Personal Service

2.5%

Labourers

1.1%

Machinery Operators & Drivers

0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G51 — Industry of Employment by Occupation

Balmain East Field of Study

Management & Commerce

28.5%

Society & Culture

23.8%

Health

8.2%

Creative Arts

7.8%

Engineering

7.5%

Education

7.0%

Architecture & Building

5.8%

Natural & Physical Sciences

4.7%

Information Technology

4.2%

Agriculture & Environment

1.4%

Food, Hospitality & Personal Services

1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G51 — Field of Study by SAL

Balmain East Dwelling Types

Semi-detached (2+ storey)

64.2%

Separate house

25.9%

Semi-detached (1 storey)

9.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G36 — Dwelling Structure by SAL

Balmain East Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk

2.2%

$1-$149/wk

0.7%

$150-$299/wk

1.4%

$300-$399/wk

1.9%

$400-$499/wk

4.8%

$500-$649/wk

3.6%

$650-$799/wk

1.4%

$800-$999/wk

2.6%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

3.3%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

4.9%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

3.8%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

3.4%

$2,000-$2,499/wk

8.9%

$2,500-$2,999/wk

5.6%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

6.6%

$3,500-$3,999/wk

3.8%

$4,000+/wk

41.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G33 — Household Income by SAL

Balmain East Marital Status

💍

Married

45.4% 738

↔️

Separated

2.2% 35

📋

Divorced

10.7% 173

🕊️

Widowed

3.0% 48

👤

Never married

38.8% 630

Source: ABS Census 2021 G05 — Marital Status by SAL

Balmain East Ancestry

English

33.1%

Australian

20.7%

Irish

13.7%

Scottish

9.3%

Other

8.8%

German

3.2%

Chinese

2.9%

Italian

2.6%

Greek

1.7%

Dutch

1.6%

Lebanese

1.3%

French

1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G08 — Ancestry by SAL

Balmain East School & University Attendance

Primary — Government

23.9%

Secondary — Other Non-Govt

19.7%

Secondary — Government

11.5%

Secondary — Catholic

10.2%

Pre-school

9.8%

Primary — Catholic

9.8%

Primary — Other Non-Govt

7.9%

Vocational Education

7.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G15 — Type of Educational Institution by SAL

Balmain East Need for Assistance

♿

Needs assistance

2.6% 92

✅

No need for assistance

97.4% 3,496

Source: ABS Census 2021 G18 — Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Balmain East Volunteering

🤝

Volunteer

20.7% 319

—

Not a volunteer

79.3% 1,219

Source: ABS Census 2021 G23 — Voluntary Work by SAL

Balmain East Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo

13.0%

$800-$999/mo

10.4%

$1,000-$1,399/mo

14.3%

$1,400-$1,799/mo

14.3%

$1,800-$2,399/mo

11.7%

$2,400-$2,999/mo

7.8%

$3,000-$3,999/mo

28.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G38 — Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Balmain East How People Get to Work

Car (driver)

49.6%

Did not go to work

25.1%

Ferry

8.0%

Walked only

5.2%

Bus

2.5%

Car (passenger)

2.5%

Other

2.5%

Truck

1.9%

Bicycle

1.7%

Motorbike/Scooter

1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G62 — Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Balmain East Car Ownership

0 vehicles

14.0%

1 vehicle

51.7%

2 vehicles

27.3%

3 vehicles

4.8%

4+ vehicles

2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G34 — Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Balmain East Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom

12.6%

2 bedrooms

35.4%

3 bedrooms

29.8%

4 bedrooms

19.2%

5 bedrooms

2.7%

6+ bedrooms

0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G41 — Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Balmain East Population Mobility

14.5%

moved in the last year

40.8%

moved in the last 5 years

3.9%

unemployment rate (Census)

62.6%

labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021 G43 — Summary by SAL

Balmain East Indigenous Population

0.3%

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Indigenous residents

3,603

Non-Indigenous residents

Source: ABS Census 2021 G07 — Indigenous Status by SAL

Balmain East Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health

144

Asthma

Heart disease

Arthritis

Lung condition

Cancer

Diabetes

Stroke

Kidney disease

Dementia

Source: ABS Census 2021 G19 — Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Balmain East Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk

10.0%

$1-$149/wk

3.0%

$150-$299/wk

2.8%

$300-$399/wk

1.0%

$400-$499/wk

2.2%

$500-$649/wk

1.6%

$650-$799/wk

4.4%

$800-$999/wk

5.1%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

5.9%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

7.7%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

7.5%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

5.7%

$2,000-$2,999/wk

14.9%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

5.4%

$3,500+/wk

22.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G17 — Personal Income by SAL

Balmain East Family Structure

Couple — children under 15

38.8%

Couple — no children

38.3%

Couple — no children under 15

14.3%

One parent — no children under 15

4.5%

One parent — children under 15

4.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G29 — Family Composition by SAL

Balmain East Military Service

🏅

Previously served

1.9% 30

👤

Never served

98.1% 1,513

Source: ABS Census 2021 G22 — ADF Service by SAL

Balmain East Unpaid Carers

🤲

Provided unpaid assistance

12.3% 189

—

Did not provide

87.7% 1,350

Source: ABS Census 2021 G25 — Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Balmain East Children Ever Born

No children

46.6%

1 child

14.5%

2 children

26.6%

3 children

9.0%

4 children

3.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G28 — Children Ever Born by SAL

Balmain East When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951

1951–1960

1961–1970

1971–1980

1981–1990

1991–2000

2001–2010

108

2011–2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Source: ABS Census 2021 G10 — Year of Arrival by SAL

Balmain East Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours

25.1%

5–14 hours

37.8%

15–29 hours

15.1%

30+ hours

7.1%

Did not do domestic work

14.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G24 — Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Balmain East Household Size

1 person

32.8%

2 persons

37.7%

3 persons

11.9%

4 persons

12.7%

5 persons

3.4%

6+ persons

1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G35 — Household Size by SAL

Balmain East Where Residents Moved From

Same address

1,524

Moved from NSW

121

Moved — same area (SA2)

Moved from overseas

Moved from VIC

Moved from QLD

Moved from ACT

Source: ABS Census 2021 G44 — Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Balmain East Family Blending

Intact family — no other children

88.7%

Step family — no other children

9.2%

Blended family — no other children

2.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G31 — Family Blending by SAL

Balmain East Crime Statistics

Reported offences in 2025-26 — 21 total

Assault

Theft

Other Against Property

Other Against Person

Property Damage

Sexual Offences

Offence trend by year:

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR — bocsar.nsw.gov.au

Balmain East Schools

schools nearby

government

1133

avg ICSEA score

29,172

total students

Sydney Grammar School Independent

Secondary · K-12 · 1,925 students

1274

ICSEA

St Aloysius' College Independent

Secondary · 3-12 · 1,347 students

1223

ICSEA

SCEGGS Darlinghurst Independent

Combined · K-12 · 936 students

1209

ICSEA

SHORE - Sydney Church of England Grammar School Independent

Secondary · K-12 · 1,724 students

1205

ICSEA

North Sydney Girls High School Government

Secondary · 7-12 · 916 students

1203

ICSEA

North Sydney Boys High School Government

Secondary · 7-12 · 933 students

1195

ICSEA

Conservatorium High School Government

Secondary · 7-12 · 156 students

1194

ICSEA

Loreto Kirribilli Independent

Combined · K-12 · 1,176 students

1189

ICSEA

St Andrew's Cathedral School Independent

Combined · K-12 · 1,436 students

1189

ICSEA

Wenona School Independent

Combined · K-12 · 1,385 students

1187

ICSEA

Cameragal Montessori School Independent

Primary · K-6 · 40 students

1179

ICSEA

Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College Independent

Secondary · 7-12 · 1,186 students

1179

ICSEA

Inner Sydney Montessori School Independent

Primary · K-6 · 95 students

1178

ICSEA

Greenwich Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 367 students

1175

ICSEA

Balmain Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 321 students

1172

ICSEA

Showing 15 of 58 schools

Source: ACARA — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, 2025. ICSEA = Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

View all schools in Balmain East with map →

Balmain East Rent Prices & Affordability

20%

of income

Affordable

Household Income $3,020/wk

Median Rent $617/wk

Rent-to-Income 20.4%

Rent is under 25% of household income — generally considered affordable.

If you earn X in Balmain East

Your weekly income

≈ $13,087/month

Median rent $617/wk

Left after rent $2,403/wk

Rent share 20.4%

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Wamboin

Income: $1,362/wk Rent: $520/wk Save: $97/wk

Bywong

Income: $1,328/wk Rent: $450/wk Save: $167/wk

Carwoola

Income: $1,283/wk Rent: $450/wk Save: $167/wk

Kirribilli

Income: $1,598/wk Rent: $520/wk Save: $97/wk

McMahons Point

Income: $1,664/wk Rent: $580/wk Save: $37/wk

Gundaroo

Income: $1,352/wk Rent: $475/wk Save: $142/wk

Kurraba Point

Income: $1,744/wk Rent: $610/wk Save: $7/wk

Royalla

Income: $1,285/wk Rent: $530/wk Save: $87/wk

Balmain East vs State & National Average

Nearby Suburbs in NSW

Clifton Grove

Pop: 950 Income: $1,033/wk Rent: $400/wk

Cudgen

Pop: 952 Income: $826/wk Rent: $440/wk

Paterson (NSW)

Pop: 960 Income: $837/wk Rent: $300/wk

Mallabula

Pop: 963 Income: $569/wk Rent: $350/wk

Woombah

Pop: 965 Income: $494/wk Rent: $293/wk

Braemar

Pop: 966 Income: $877/wk Rent: $570/wk

Compare Balmain East

Balmain East vs Clifton Grove →Balmain East vs Cudgen →Balmain East vs Paterson (NSW) →Balmain East vs Mallabula →

Frequently Asked Questions About Balmain East

What is the population of Balmain East NSW?

The population of Balmain East NSW is 1,900 according to the ABS Census 2021.The suburb has a population density of 5539.4 people per km².Balmain East is ranked #3,104 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Balmain East?

The median personal income in Balmain East NSW is $1,550 per week, or $80,600 per year.The median household income is $3,020 per week.Family income is $4,641 per week.Balmain East is ranked #100 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Balmain East?

Median rent in Balmain East NSW is $617 per week ($2,674 per month).Rent represents 20.4% of household income, which is considered affordable.Balmain East ranks #188 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Balmain East?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Balmain East NSW is $4,333. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Balmain East?

The median age in Balmain East NSW is 46 years.This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Balmain East a good suburb to live in?

Balmain East is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 1,900.The median income is $1,550/wk, which is above the NSW average of $781/wk.Rent affordability is rated as affordable (20.4% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 10166. All dollar figures in AUD.