New South Wales · Suburb Profile

Balmain NSW — Suburb Profile

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

The population of Balmain NSW is 10,454 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Balmain is $1,577 per week ($82,004 per year). Median rent in Balmain is $625 per week ($2,708 per month). Balmain has a median age of 42 years, older than the national median of 38. Balmain has a population density of 6798.0 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Balmain is England. The most common religion is No Religion (55% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Other. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Balmain is $3,986.

There were 177 recorded offences in Balmain in 2025-26, a rate of 17 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was other against property (68 offences).

Balmain Map

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Balmain Population

residents (Census 2021)

Balmain Median Income & Rent

💰

Median Income

$1,577/wk

$82,004 per year

#82 of 14,663

🏠

Median Rent

$625/wk

$2,708 per month

#169 of 14,663

👤

Median Age

42years

4 years older than national median

🏡

Mortgage

$3,986/mo

Avg household size: 2.2 · 0.9 per bedroom

Balmain Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.3% (5,043) Female 51.7% (5,405)

Population Density

6798.0

people per km²

10,454 people · 1.5 km²

Households

2.2

Avg household size

0.9

Persons per bedroom

$4,562

Family income/wk

Balmain 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 Housing Tenure

🏠

Owned outright

50.4% 1,276 dwellings

🏦

Owned with mortgage

49.6% 1,258 dwellings

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

Balmain Country of Birth

Australia

81.9%

England

13.2%

China

1.2%

India

0.8%

Germany

0.8%

France

0.7%

Canada

0.5%

Greece

0.5%

Hong Kong

0.3%

Egypt

0.3%

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

Balmain Religion

No Religion

55.0%

Catholic

21.9%

Anglican

10.5%

Not stated

6.0%

Eastern Orthodox

2.1%

Christinty Prsbytrin Refrmd

1.8%

Buddhism

1.3%

Uniting Church

1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G14 — Religion by SAL

Balmain Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent

86.5%

Year 10 or equivalent

8.6%

Year 11 or equivalent

3.0%

Year 9 or equivalent

1.8%

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

Balmain Languages Spoken at Home

Other

21.9%

Mandarin

17.4%

Italian

14.2%

Spanish

12.3%

French

11.2%

Greek

9.6%

Arabic

6.7%

German

6.7%

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

Balmain Employment

💼

Employed full-time

49.5% 3,887 people

⏰

Employed part-time

17.4% 1,368 people

🔍

Unemployed

3.0% 238 people

🏠

Not in labour force

30.0% 2,355 people

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

Balmain Qualifications

Bachelor Degree

46.7%

Postgraduate Degree

24.4%

Advanced Diploma/Diploma

12.9%

Certificate III/IV

9.0%

Graduate Diploma/Certificate

6.2%

Certificate I/II

0.8%

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

Balmain Occupation

Professionals

47.3%

Managers

27.6%

Clerical & Administrative

9.3%

Sales Workers

4.8%

Technicians & Trade Workers

4.8%

Community & Personal Service

4.5%

Labourers

0.8%

Machinery Operators & Drivers

0.8%

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

Balmain Field of Study

Management & Commerce

32.3%

Society & Culture

21.6%

Creative Arts

9.2%

Health

8.2%

Engineering

7.5%

Architecture & Building

5.7%

Education

5.3%

Information Technology

3.9%

Natural & Physical Sciences

3.7%

Food, Hospitality & Personal Services

1.7%

Agriculture & Environment

0.8%

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

Balmain Dwelling Types

Semi-detached (2+ storey)

40.3%

Separate house

35.3%

Semi-detached (1 storey)

24.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G36 — Dwelling Structure by SAL

Balmain Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk

1.4%

$1-$149/wk

0.6%

$150-$299/wk

1.3%

$300-$399/wk

2.4%

$400-$499/wk

4.0%

$500-$649/wk

2.4%

$650-$799/wk

2.8%

$800-$999/wk

3.4%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

4.6%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

4.7%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

3.6%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

4.3%

$2,000-$2,499/wk

9.7%

$2,500-$2,999/wk

4.4%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

6.1%

$3,500-$3,999/wk

3.8%

$4,000+/wk

40.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G33 — Household Income by SAL

Balmain Marital Status

💍

Married

43.8% 3,793

↔️

Separated

2.8% 239

📋

Divorced

11.3% 981

🕊️

Widowed

3.1% 272

👤

Never married

38.9% 3,370

Source: ABS Census 2021 G05 — Marital Status by SAL

Balmain Ancestry

English

31.1%

Australian

21.0%

Irish

13.9%

Scottish

9.9%

Other

9.2%

Italian

3.6%

Chinese

3.3%

German

2.9%

Greek

1.5%

Dutch

1.3%

Indian

1.2%

New Zealander

1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G08 — Ancestry by SAL

Balmain School & University Attendance

Primary — Government

29.4%

Pre-school

13.6%

Secondary — Other Non-Govt

13.5%

Secondary — Government

10.9%

Vocational Education

9.9%

Secondary — Catholic

8.4%

Primary — Catholic

7.3%

Primary — Other Non-Govt

7.1%

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

Balmain Need for Assistance

♿

Needs assistance

3.8% 755

✅

No need for assistance

96.2% 19,300

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

Balmain Volunteering

🤝

Volunteer

20.0% 1,654

—

Not a volunteer

80.0% 6,619

Source: ABS Census 2021 G23 — Voluntary Work by SAL

Balmain Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo

11.6%

$300-$449/mo

1.7%

$450-$599/mo

2.9%

$600-$799/mo

1.9%

$800-$999/mo

3.2%

$1,000-$1,399/mo

6.8%

$1,400-$1,799/mo

6.0%

$1,800-$2,399/mo

16.1%

$2,400-$2,999/mo

16.4%

$3,000-$3,999/mo

33.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G38 — Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Balmain How People Get to Work

Car (driver)

48.0%

Did not go to work

26.3%

Walked only

10.1%

Bus

6.0%

Car (passenger)

2.6%

Bicycle

2.5%

Ferry

1.3%

Motorbike/Scooter

1.3%

Other

0.8%

Truck

0.5%

Taxi/Rideshare

0.4%

Train

0.2%

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

Balmain Car Ownership

0 vehicles

15.0%

1 vehicle

54.7%

2 vehicles

25.1%

3 vehicles

3.9%

4+ vehicles

1.4%

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

Balmain Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom

14.6%

2 bedrooms

37.5%

3 bedrooms

30.7%

4 bedrooms

14.1%

5 bedrooms

2.7%

6+ bedrooms

0.4%

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

Balmain Population Mobility

18.0%

moved in the last year

47.4%

moved in the last 5 years

3.9%

unemployment rate (Census)

68.7%

labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021 G43 — Summary by SAL

Balmain Indigenous Population

0.8%

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

167

Indigenous residents

19,917

Non-Indigenous residents

Source: ABS Census 2021 G07 — Indigenous Status by SAL

Balmain Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health

939

Asthma

361

Arthritis

234

Heart disease

224

Cancer

166

Diabetes

147

Lung condition

120

Kidney disease

Stroke

Dementia

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

Balmain Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk

7.7%

$1-$149/wk

2.5%

$150-$299/wk

2.9%

$300-$399/wk

2.0%

$400-$499/wk

2.3%

$500-$649/wk

2.1%

$650-$799/wk

4.8%

$800-$999/wk

5.4%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

7.3%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

6.7%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

6.5%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

6.3%

$2,000-$2,999/wk

15.1%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

6.0%

$3,500+/wk

22.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G17 — Personal Income by SAL

Balmain Family Structure

Couple — children under 15

45.1%

Couple — no children

32.0%

Couple — no children under 15

12.8%

One parent — children under 15

5.1%

One parent — no children under 15

5.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G29 — Family Composition by SAL

Balmain Military Service

🎖️

Current ADF — Regular

0.2% 20

🛡️

Current ADF — Reserves

0.1% 5

🏅

Previously served

1.6% 133

👤

Never served

98.1% 8,145

Source: ABS Census 2021 G22 — ADF Service by SAL

Balmain Unpaid Carers

🤲

Provided unpaid assistance

11.0% 908

—

Did not provide

89.0% 7,359

Source: ABS Census 2021 G25 — Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Balmain Children Ever Born

No children

45.9%

1 child

16.2%

2 children

26.3%

3 children

9.2%

4 children

1.9%

5+ children

0.5%

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

Balmain When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951

1951–1960

103

1961–1970

233

1971–1980

305

1981–1990

419

1991–2000

474

2001–2010

698

2011–2015

471

2016

2017

110

2018

108

2019

2020

2021

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

Balmain Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours

23.8%

5–14 hours

38.0%

15–29 hours

14.5%

30+ hours

6.9%

Did not do domestic work

16.6%

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

Balmain Household Size

1 person

33.3%

2 persons

34.8%

3 persons

14.2%

4 persons

13.5%

5 persons

3.8%

6+ persons

0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G35 — Household Size by SAL

Balmain Where Residents Moved From

Same address

8,112

Moved from NSW

977

Moved — same area (SA2)

505

Moved from overseas

163

Moved from VIC

Moved from QLD

Moved from ACT

Moved from WA

Moved from SA

Moved from TAS

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

Balmain Family Blending

Intact family — no other children

90.3%

Step family — no other children

7.8%

Blended family — no other children

1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G31 — Family Blending by SAL

Balmain Crime Statistics

Reported offences in 2025-26 — 177 total

Other Against Property

Theft

Assault

Other Against Person

Property Damage

Drug Offences

Sexual Offences

Weapons

Offence trend by year:

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

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

Balmain Schools

schools nearby

government

1123

avg ICSEA score

23,337

total students

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

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

Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College Independent

Secondary · 7-12 · 1,186 students

1179

ICSEA

Cameragal Montessori School Independent

Primary · K-6 · 40 students

1179

ICSEA

Inner Sydney Montessori School Independent

Primary · K-6 · 95 students

1178

ICSEA

Balmain Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 321 students

1172

ICSEA

Fr John Therry Catholic Primary School Balmain - Rozelle Catholic

Primary · K-6 · 349 students

1170

ICSEA

International Grammar School Independent

Combined · K-12 · 1,224 students

1170

ICSEA

St Columba's Catholic Primary School Catholic

Primary · K-6 · 180 students

1167

ICSEA

Marist Catholic College North Shore Catholic

Combined · K-12 · 1,609 students

1166

ICSEA

St Brendan's Catholic Primary School Catholic

Primary · K-6 · 155 students

1166

ICSEA

Rozelle Public School Government

Primary · P-6 · 507 students

1162

ICSEA

Showing 15 of 54 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 with map →

Balmain Rent Prices & Affordability

21%

of income

Affordable

Household Income $3,039/wk

Median Rent $625/wk

Rent-to-Income 20.6%

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

If you earn X in Balmain

Your weekly income

≈ $13,169/month

Median rent $625/wk

Left after rent $2,414/wk

Rent share 20.6%

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Greenwich

Income: $1,457/wk Rent: $550/wk Save: $75/wk

Drummoyne

Income: $1,388/wk Rent: $600/wk Save: $25/wk

Gundaroo

Income: $1,352/wk Rent: $475/wk Save: $150/wk

Elizabeth Bay

Income: $1,676/wk Rent: $500/wk Save: $125/wk

Lilyfield

Income: $1,348/wk Rent: $520/wk Save: $105/wk

Royalla

Income: $1,285/wk Rent: $530/wk Save: $95/wk

Kurraba Point

Income: $1,744/wk Rent: $610/wk Save: $15/wk

Carwoola

Income: $1,283/wk Rent: $450/wk Save: $175/wk

Balmain vs State & National Average

Nearby Suburbs in NSW

Picton (NSW)

Pop: 5,282 Income: $939/wk Rent: $375/wk

Berowra Heights

Pop: 5,286 Income: $974/wk Rent: $580/wk

Lisarow

Pop: 5,299 Income: $808/wk Rent: $435/wk

Boambee East

Pop: 5,304 Income: $706/wk Rent: $410/wk

Kenthurst

Pop: 5,313 Income: $942/wk Rent: $550/wk

Jamisontown

Pop: 5,321 Income: $873/wk Rent: $370/wk

Compare Balmain

Balmain vs Picton (NSW) →Balmain vs Berowra Heights →Balmain vs Lisarow →Balmain vs Boambee East →

Frequently Asked Questions About Balmain

What is the population of Balmain NSW?

The population of Balmain NSW is 10,454 according to the ABS Census 2021.The suburb has a population density of 6798.0 people per km².Balmain is ranked #598 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Balmain?

The median personal income in Balmain NSW is $1,577 per week, or $82,004 per year.The median household income is $3,039 per week.Family income is $4,562 per week.Balmain is ranked #82 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Balmain?

Median rent in Balmain NSW is $625 per week ($2,708 per month).Rent represents 20.6% of household income, which is considered affordable.Balmain ranks #169 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Balmain?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Balmain NSW is $3,986. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Balmain?

The median age in Balmain NSW is 42 years.This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Balmain a good suburb to live in?

Balmain is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 10,454.The median income is $1,577/wk, which is above the NSW average of $781/wk.Rent affordability is rated as affordable (20.6% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Looking for schools, childcare centres, and playgrounds in this area? See kid.com.au for family facilities data.

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 10165. All dollar figures in AUD.