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Ballina vs Byron Bay

Name: Ballina vs Byron Bay — 2021 Census comparison
Creator: Australian Bureau of Statistics
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Urban Area comparison ≈ 20 km apart · Ballina profile · Byron Bay profile

Ballina Byron Bay

Ballina and Byron Bay are nearby neighbours with very different characters. Ballina is an older area where the typical resident is 48, and 27.1% of people are aged 65 or over. By contrast, Byron Bay has a younger population and is far more international, with 27.8% of people born overseas compared to 12.7% in Ballina. Byron Bay also has a higher share of university graduates (33.2% versus 22.7%) and a much larger proportion of people who report having no religion (59.7% versus 42.9%).

Both areas have a similar share of one-parent families, which sits close to the national figure. However, the gap between them has widened in many areas since 2011. For example, the difference in overseas births has grown from just 1.1% to 15.1%. Byron Bay is also far more walkable, with more homes within a 15-minute walk of health services (70.3% compared to 39.5% in Ballina) and a higher share of renters (36.8% versus 26.7%).

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Where they differ most

Recent arrivals: 20.0 pts higher in Byron Bay Population: 35,276 larger in Ballina Housework 15h+: 6.2 pts higher in Ballina Year 12: 17.4 pts higher in Byron Bay No religion: 16.7 pts higher in Byron Bay

Demographics & Identity

Population in Ballina in Byron Bay +35,276 larger in Ballina gap widening

46,190 60th pct 10,914 10th pct

Median age in Ballina in Byron Bay +9 yrs older in Ballina gap widening

48 yrs 87th pct 39 yrs 43rd pct

Age structure

20.6% Young adults (25–44) +14.6 pts ▸ 35.1%

27.1% Seniors (65+) ◂ +9.9 pts 17.2%

26.8% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +1.5 pts 25.3%

16.3% Children (0–14) ◂ +2.6 pts 13.7%

9.3% Youth (15–24) ◂ +0.5 pts 8.8%

Marital status

32.0% Never married +19.6 pts ▸ 51.6%

46.1% Married ◂ +15.7 pts 30.5%

11.2% Divorced +0.6 pts ▸ 11.9%

7.3% Widowed ◂ +3.7 pts 3.6%

3.3% Separated ◂ +0.8 pts 2.4%

Age & sex structure

Ballina Byron Bay

Bars show the share of each area's own population, so differently sized areas stay comparable.

Ancestry & Birthplace

Country of birth

81.5% Australia ◂ +17.8 pts 63.6%

3.7% England +1.9 pts ▸ 5.6%

1.7% New Zealand +0.9 pts ▸ 2.6%

0.2% Italy +1.1 pts ▸ 1.3%

0.5% South Africa +0.1 pts ▸ 0.6%

0.4% India ◂ +0.1 pts 0.3%

0.4% Philippines even 0.3%

0.1% China even 0.2%

0.1% Vietnam even 0.1%

0.1% Nepal even 0.1%

Ancestry

44.5% English ◂ +5.3 pts 39.2%

39.3% Australian ◂ +12.0 pts 27.3%

14.4% Irish +0.3 pts ▸ 14.7%

12.5% Scottish ◂ +1.2 pts 11.3%

4.6% German +1.4 pts ▸ 6.0%

3.3% Italian +2.3 pts ▸ 5.5%

1.5% Dutch +0.4 pts ▸ 2.0%

0.5% Greek +0.4 pts ▸ 0.9%

0.8% Chinese even 0.8%

0.6% Indian ◂ +0.1 pts 0.6%

0.6% Filipino even 0.5%

0.1% Vietnamese even 0.2%

Language

Language used at home

89.8% English only ◂ +12.2 pts 77.6%

0.3% Italian +1.1 pts ▸ 1.4%

0.2% Punjabi ◂ +0.2 pts 0.1%

0.1% Greek +0.2 pts ▸ 0.2%

0.1% Mandarin even 0.2%

0.1% Arabic +0.1 pts ▸ 0.1%

0.1% Vietnamese even 0.1%

0.1% Cantonese ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

0.1% Tagalog even 0.1%

0.1% Hindi even 0.1%

Religion

Religious affiliation

42.9% No religion +16.7 pts ▸ 59.7%

47.6% Christianity ◂ +22.7 pts 24.9%

7.2% Not stated +4.1 pts ▸ 11.3%

1.1% Buddhism +1.1 pts ▸ 2.2%

0.1% Judaism +0.9 pts ▸ 1.0%

0.6% Other religions ◂ +0.1 pts 0.5%

0.3% Hinduism +0.1 pts ▸ 0.5%

0.1% Islam even 0.2%

Education & Qualifications

Highest year of school

49.3% Year 12 +17.4 pts ▸ 66.8%

27.0% Year 10 ◂ +12.7 pts 14.3%

10.2% Year 9 or below ◂ +6.5 pts 3.7%

6.6% Year 11 ◂ +1.3 pts 5.3%

Highest qualification level

24.8% Bachelor degree +8.7 pts ▸ 33.5%

29.2% Certificate III / IV ◂ +11.0 pts 18.2%

15.9% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +0.7 pts 15.2%

6.4% Postgraduate degree +2.8 pts ▸ 9.2%

3.8% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +0.9 pts 2.9%

1.9% Certificate I / II ◂ +0.5 pts 1.4%

Field of qualification

16.3% Management & commerce +0.2 pts ▸ 16.5%

11.4% Society & culture +2.4 pts ▸ 13.8%

12.9% Health ◂ +2.6 pts 10.2%

11.4% Education ◂ +4.6 pts 6.8%

11.3% Engineering & related ◂ +4.7 pts 6.7%

3.9% Creative arts +6.7 pts ▸ 10.7%

6.7% Architecture & building ◂ +0.1 pts 6.6%

5.5% Food, hospitality & personal services +0.6 pts ▸ 6.1%

3.4% Agriculture & environment ◂ +1.3 pts 2.1%

2.3% Natural & physical sciences +0.6 pts ▸ 2.9%

1.1% Information technology +0.1 pts ▸ 1.2%

Income

Personal income in Ballina in Byron Bay +$100 higher in Byron Bay gap steady

$737 52nd pct $837 81st pct

Household income in Ballina in Byron Bay +$319 higher in Byron Bay gap widening

$1,429 50th pct $1,748 79th pct

Family income in Ballina in Byron Bay +$243 higher in Byron Bay gap widening

$1,848 52nd pct $2,091 77th pct

Household income distribution

30.6% $650–$1,499 ◂ +7.3 pts 23.3%

27.9% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +0.1 pts 27.8%

18.1% Under $650 ◂ +1.0 pts 17.1%

8.3% $4,000 or more +5.2 pts ▸ 13.5%

8.1% $3,000–$3,999 +1.0 pts ▸ 9.1%

Personal income distribution

41.3% Under $650 ◂ +7.8 pts 33.5%

33.6% $650–$1,499 +1.7 pts ▸ 35.3%

14.4% $1,500–$2,999 +0.1 pts ▸ 14.4%

3.4% $3,000 or more +2.5 pts ▸ 5.9%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

10.9% Arthritis ◂ +4.7 pts 6.2%

10.0% Mental health ◂ +2.9 pts 7.1%

8.5% Other condition ◂ +1.7 pts 6.7%

8.1% Asthma ◂ +2.3 pts 5.8%

5.6% Heart disease ◂ +2.8 pts 2.8%

4.3% Diabetes ◂ +2.5 pts 1.8%

4.0% Cancer ◂ +1.3 pts 2.7%

2.5% Lung condition ◂ +1.1 pts 1.5%

1.5% Stroke ◂ +0.7 pts 0.8%

1.1% Dementia ◂ +0.5 pts 0.6%

Number of long-term health conditions

59.4% None +7.7 pts ▸ 67.1%

21.5% One condition ◂ +5.6 pts 15.9%

7.2% Two conditions ◂ +3.1 pts 4.1%

3.9% Three or more ◂ +2.2 pts 1.7%

Community Participation

Family & Households

Household size in Ballina in Byron Bay even gap narrowing

2.4 43rd pct 2.4 43rd pct

Family composition

49.9% Couples with children +0.2 pts ▸ 50.0%

33.9% Couples without children +0.6 pts ▸ 34.5%

15.2% One-parent families ◂ +0.7 pts 14.5%

1.0% Other families ◂ +0.1 pts 0.9%

Household size

38.2% 2 people ◂ +4.6 pts 33.6%

28.2% 1 person +0.9 pts ▸ 29.1%

13.9% 3 people +2.5 pts ▸ 16.3%

12.4% 4 people +1.5 pts ▸ 13.9%

5.1% 5 people even 5.1%

2.2% 6 or more ◂ +0.3 pts 1.9%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Ballina in Byron Bay +$200 higher in Byron Bay gap widening

$420 94th pct $620 100th pct

Mortgage in Ballina in Byron Bay +$390 higher in Byron Bay gap widening

$1,950 86th pct $2,340 100th pct

People / bedroom in Ballina in Byron Bay +0.10 higher in Byron Bay gap steady

0.80 57th pct 0.90 100th pct

How homes are owned or rented

41.3% Owned outright ◂ +6.6 pts 34.7%

26.7% Rented +10.1 pts ▸ 36.8%

27.0% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +2.8 pts 24.3%

3.1% Other tenure ◂ +0.9 pts 2.2%

1.8% Not stated +0.2 pts ▸ 2.1%

Types of homes

71.7% Separate house ◂ +10.1 pts 61.6%

20.7% Townhouse / semi-detached +4.5 pts ▸ 25.2%

5.0% Flat or apartment +3.0 pts ▸ 8.0%

2.2% Other dwelling +1.9 pts ▸ 4.0%

Bedrooms per home

40.9% 3 bedrooms ◂ +0.4 pts 40.5%

26.6% 4 bedrooms ◂ +4.7 pts 21.9%

20.3% 2 bedrooms ◂ +2.3 pts 18.0%

3.7% 1 bedroom +5.7 pts ▸ 9.4%

6.5% 5 or more ◂ +0.5 pts 6.0%

0.4% Studio / none +1.5 pts ▸ 1.8%

Weekly rent distribution

40.4% $350–$549 ◂ +24.2 pts 16.2%

4.0% $750 or more +26.6 pts ▸ 30.6%

20.9% $550–$749 +7.7 pts ▸ 28.6%

19.6% $200–$349 ◂ +7.8 pts 11.8%

11.5% Under $200 ◂ +4.0 pts 7.6%

Monthly mortgage distribution

33.9% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +6.3 pts 27.6%

17.3% $3,000 or more +15.1 pts ▸ 32.4%

26.3% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +7.9 pts 18.3%

15.8% Under $1,000 ◂ +1.1 pts 14.7%

Transport & Vehicles

How people get to work

59.0% Car (driver) ◂ +14.9 pts 44.2%

16.7% Worked at home +9.1 pts ▸ 25.8%

2.8% Walked +2.4 pts ▸ 5.2%

1.1% Bicycle +2.9 pts ▸ 4.0%

3.6% Car (passenger) ◂ +1.1 pts 2.5%

0.3% Bus ◂ +0.1 pts 0.2%

0.0% Train even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

39.1% 2 vehicles ◂ +2.4 pts 36.7%

37.1% 1 vehicle +1.4 pts ▸ 38.5%

12.3% 3 vehicles +0.2 pts ▸ 12.5%

6.6% 4 or more +0.4 pts ▸ 7.0%

4.9% No vehicle +0.4 pts ▸ 5.3%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

8.8% Accommodation & food +11.3 pts ▸ 20.1%

18.6% Health care & social assistance ◂ +6.5 pts 12.1%

10.7% Education & training ◂ +3.4 pts 7.3%

10.5% Retail trade ◂ +1.9 pts 8.6%

10.2% Construction ◂ +2.1 pts 8.0%

5.8% Professional & technical +3.8 pts ▸ 9.6%

5.2% Public administration & safety ◂ +3.1 pts 2.2%

3.3% Administrative & support +1.2 pts ▸ 4.5%

4.1% Manufacturing ◂ +0.8 pts 3.3%

4.0% Agriculture, forestry & fishing ◂ +2.4 pts 1.6%

3.8% Other services ◂ +0.5 pts 3.3%

2.6% Transport & warehousing ◂ +0.7 pts 1.9%

Occupations people work in

22.6% Professionals +2.6 pts ▸ 25.2%

13.9% Managers +3.8 pts ▸ 17.7%

13.5% Community & personal service +0.3 pts ▸ 13.8%

13.8% Technicians & trades ◂ +0.1 pts 13.7%

11.0% Clerical & administrative ◂ +3.7 pts 7.3%

10.0% Labourers ◂ +0.9 pts 9.1%

9.6% Sales workers ◂ +1.3 pts 8.3%

4.1% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +1.8 pts 2.3%

Walkability

Walk score in Ballina in Byron Bay +1.6 higher in Byron Bay

5.0 51st pct 6.6 96th pct

Types ≤15 min in Ballina in Byron Bay +1.6 more in Byron Bay

4.7 48th pct 6.3 94th pct

15-min city in Ballina in Byron Bay +19.9 pts higher in Byron Bay

52.8% 48th pct 72.7% 87th pct

Walk to shops in Ballina in Byron Bay +21.3 pts higher in Byron Bay

57.4% 60th pct 78.7% 95th pct

Walk to transit in Ballina in Byron Bay +14.1 pts higher in Byron Bay

78.5% 39th pct 92.5% 87th pct

Walk to school in Ballina in Byron Bay +5.6 pts higher in Byron Bay

55.3% 29th pct 61.0% 41st pct

Walk to a park in Ballina in Byron Bay +7.2 pts higher in Byron Bay

87.6% 43rd pct 94.8% 82nd pct

Walk to health in Ballina in Byron Bay +30.8 pts higher in Byron Bay

39.5% 46th pct 70.3% 98th pct

Amenities/1k in Ballina in Byron Bay +2.4 more in Byron Bay

24.3 86th pct 26.8 88th pct

Intersections/km² in Ballina in Byron Bay +21 higher in Byron Bay

11 28th pct 33 72nd pct

Mean slope in Ballina in Byron Bay +0.8 pts higher in Ballina

5.5% 58th pct 4.7% 41st pct

Compare Ballina with nearby areas

Lismore Byron Bay Gold Coast - Tweed Heads Grafton Brisbane Coffs Harbour Warwick Toowoomba Kempsey Armidale Sunshine Coast Port Macquarie

Compare Byron Bay with nearby areas

Ballina Lismore Gold Coast - Tweed Heads Brisbane Grafton Coffs Harbour Warwick Toowoomba Sunshine Coast Kempsey Armidale Gympie

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Ballina vs Byron Bay [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sua/1003/ballina/vs/1008/byron-bay