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Ballina vs Kempsey

Urban Area comparison ≈ 256 km apart · Ballina profile · Kempsey profile

Ballina Kempsey

Ballina and Kempsey are two New South Wales areas with very different social profiles. Ballina is a wealthier, older area where 22.7% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher and the typical weekly household income is $1,429. In contrast, Kempsey has a much higher Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population at 18.3% and a higher share of one-parent families at 26.8%. Ballina also has more people working from home (16.7%) and a higher proportion of residents who finished Year 12 (49.3% compared to 28.7% in Kempsey).

Both areas are similar in how they are laid out, with about the same number of people per home. They also both sit near the national figure for the share of people who need help with daily activities, though this is well higher in Kempsey at 11%. Over time, the gaps in education and income have widened, and Ballina's lead in typical household income has grown significantly since 2011.

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Where they differ most

Unemployment: 5.1 pts higher in Kempsey Year 12: 20.7 pts higher in Ballina Bachelor+: 15.0 pts higher in Ballina Separate houses: 18.8 pts higher in Kempsey Volunteering: 5.2 pts higher in Ballina

Demographics & Identity

Population in Ballinain Kempsey +30,536 larger in Ballina gap widening
46,190 60th pct 15,654 18th pct
Median age in Ballinain Kempsey +6 yrs older in Ballina gap narrowing
48 yrs 87th pct 42 yrs 57th pct
First Nations in Ballinain Kempsey +14.4 pts higher in Kempsey gap widening
3.9% 32nd pct 18.3% 96th pct
Aged 65+ in Ballinain Kempsey +4.5 pts higher in Ballina gap narrowing
27.1% 87th pct 22.6% 66th pct
Under 15 in Ballinain Kempsey +2.0 pts higher in Kempsey gap narrowing
16.3% 17th pct 18.3% 53rd pct
De facto in Ballinain Kempsey +0.3 pts higher in Kempsey gap narrowing
12.4% 42nd pct 12.7% 56th pct

Age structure

27.1% Seniors (65+) ◂ +4.5 pts 22.6%
26.8% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +2.5 pts 24.3%
20.6% Young adults (25–44) +2.1 pts ▸ 22.7%
16.3% Children (0–14) +2.0 pts ▸ 18.3%
9.3% Youth (15–24) +2.9 pts ▸ 12.2%

Marital status

46.1% Married ◂ +10.2 pts 35.9%
32.0% Never married +9.2 pts ▸ 41.2%
11.2% Divorced ◂ +0.6 pts 10.6%
7.3% Widowed +0.3 pts ▸ 7.6%
3.3% Separated +1.4 pts ▸ 4.7%

Age & sex structure

Ballina Kempsey

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in Ballinain Kempsey +6.2 pts higher in Ballina gap steady
12.7% 48th pct 6.6% 0th pct

Country of birth

81.5% Australia +3.0 pts ▸ 84.4%
3.7% England ◂ +2.1 pts 1.6%
1.7% New Zealand ◂ +0.9 pts 0.7%
0.4% Philippines +0.3 pts ▸ 0.7%
0.5% South Africa ◂ +0.5 pts 0.1%
0.4% India even 0.4%
0.1% China +0.2 pts ▸ 0.3%
0.2% Italy ◂ +0.2 pts 0.1%
0.1% Vietnam even 0.1%
0.1% Nepal even 0.1%

Ancestry

44.5% English ◂ +6.4 pts 38.1%
39.3% Australian +0.4 pts ▸ 39.6%
14.4% Irish ◂ +4.7 pts 9.7%
12.5% Scottish ◂ +5.0 pts 7.6%
4.6% German ◂ +1.6 pts 2.9%
3.3% Italian ◂ +2.3 pts 1.0%
1.5% Dutch ◂ +0.9 pts 0.6%
0.6% Filipino +0.4 pts ▸ 0.9%
0.8% Chinese ◂ +0.2 pts 0.6%
0.6% Indian ◂ +0.3 pts 0.4%
0.5% Greek ◂ +0.2 pts 0.3%
0.1% Vietnamese ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Language

Other language in Ballinain Kempsey +1.8 pts higher in Ballina gap steady
4.7% 25th pct 2.9% 2nd pct
Limited English in Ballinain Kempsey +0.2 pts higher in Ballina gap steady
0.4% 16th pct 0.2% 0th pct

Language used at home

89.8% English only ◂ +5.4 pts 84.4%
0.3% Italian ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%
0.2% Punjabi ◂ +0.1 pts 0.1%
0.1% Tagalog +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%
0.1% Mandarin even 0.2%
0.1% Cantonese even 0.1%
0.1% Vietnamese ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%
0.1% Hindi ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%
0.1% Arabic even 0.1%
0.1% Greek even 0.0%

Religion

No religion in Ballinain Kempsey +7.4 pts higher in Ballina gap widening
42.9% 54th pct 35.5% 15th pct

Religious affiliation

47.6% Christianity +0.9 pts ▸ 48.5%
42.9% No religion ◂ +7.4 pts 35.5%
7.2% Not stated +7.4 pts ▸ 14.6%
1.1% Buddhism ◂ +0.7 pts 0.4%
0.6% Other religions even 0.6%
0.3% Hinduism ◂ +0.1 pts 0.2%
0.1% Islam even 0.1%
0.1% Judaism ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Ballinain Kempsey +20.7 pts higher in Ballina gap widening
49.3% 72nd pct 28.7% 0th pct
Bachelor+ in Ballinain Kempsey +15.0 pts higher in Ballina gap widening
22.7% 82nd pct 7.7% 0th pct

Highest year of school

49.3% Year 12 ◂ +20.7 pts 28.7%
27.0% Year 10 +3.8 pts ▸ 30.8%
10.2% Year 9 or below +7.9 pts ▸ 18.0%
6.6% Year 11 ◂ +0.2 pts 6.4%

Highest qualification level

29.2% Certificate III / IV +8.0 pts ▸ 37.2%
24.8% Bachelor degree ◂ +14.5 pts 10.4%
15.9% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +5.5 pts 10.4%
6.4% Postgraduate degree ◂ +4.7 pts 1.6%
3.8% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +2.1 pts 1.7%
1.9% Certificate I / II +1.0 pts ▸ 2.9%

Field of qualification

16.3% Management & commerce ◂ +3.1 pts 13.2%
12.9% Health ◂ +3.6 pts 9.3%
11.3% Engineering & related +0.2 pts ▸ 11.5%
11.4% Society & culture ◂ +0.2 pts 11.3%
11.4% Education ◂ +4.8 pts 6.6%
6.7% Architecture & building ◂ +1.4 pts 5.3%
5.5% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +0.4 pts 5.1%
3.9% Creative arts ◂ +2.6 pts 1.4%
3.4% Agriculture & environment ◂ +1.2 pts 2.2%
2.3% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +1.5 pts 0.8%
1.1% Information technology ◂ +0.1 pts 0.9%

Income

Personal income in Ballinain Kempsey +$195 higher in Ballina gap widening
$737 52nd pct $542 0th pct
Household income in Ballinain Kempsey +$348 higher in Ballina gap widening
$1,429 50th pct $1,081 5th pct
Family income in Ballinain Kempsey +$508 higher in Ballina gap widening
$1,848 52nd pct $1,340 4th pct
High earners in Ballinain Kempsey +5.7 pts higher in Ballina gap widening
9.0% 55th pct 3.3% 0th pct
High-income homes in Ballinain Kempsey +8.7 pts higher in Ballina gap widening
16.4% 58th pct 7.7% 3rd pct

Household income distribution

30.6% $650–$1,499 +5.6 pts ▸ 36.2%
27.9% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +4.1 pts 23.8%
18.1% Under $650 +5.7 pts ▸ 23.8%
8.3% $4,000 or more ◂ +5.3 pts 3.1%
8.1% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +3.4 pts 4.7%

Personal income distribution

41.3% Under $650 +7.0 pts ▸ 48.3%
33.6% $650–$1,499 ◂ +6.5 pts 27.1%
14.4% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +7.1 pts 7.2%
3.4% $3,000 or more ◂ +2.5 pts 0.9%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Ballinain Kempsey +4.3 pts higher in Kempsey
32.5% 49th pct 36.8% 83rd pct
Mental health in Ballinain Kempsey +2.6 pts higher in Kempsey
10.0% 40th pct 12.6% 88th pct
Needs assistance in Ballinain Kempsey +4.2 pts higher in Kempsey gap widening
6.7% 52nd pct 11.0% 100th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

10.9% Arthritis +2.2 pts ▸ 13.1%
10.0% Mental health +2.6 pts ▸ 12.6%
8.1% Asthma +2.8 pts ▸ 10.9%
8.5% Other condition +0.8 pts ▸ 9.3%
4.3% Diabetes +2.7 pts ▸ 7.0%
5.6% Heart disease +0.2 pts ▸ 5.9%
4.0% Cancer ◂ +0.5 pts 3.5%
2.5% Lung condition +1.1 pts ▸ 3.6%
1.5% Stroke +0.5 pts ▸ 2.0%
1.1% Dementia +0.3 pts ▸ 1.5%

Number of long-term health conditions

59.4% None ◂ +12.2 pts 47.2%
21.5% One condition +0.4 pts ▸ 21.8%
7.2% Two conditions +1.6 pts ▸ 8.8%
3.9% Three or more +2.3 pts ▸ 6.2%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Ballinain Kempsey +5.2 pts higher in Ballina gap narrowing
17.3% 75th pct 12.1% 7th pct
Unpaid carers in Ballinain Kempsey +0.6 pts higher in Kempsey gap steady
13.6% 72nd pct 14.2% 85th pct
Unpaid child care in Ballinain Kempsey +2.9 pts higher in Ballina gap narrowing
25.0% 40th pct 22.1% 12th pct
Defence service in Ballinain Kempsey +0.3 pts higher in Ballina
3.6% 66th pct 3.3% 56th pct
Housework 15h+ in Ballinain Kempsey +2.6 pts higher in Ballina gap widening
23.4% 77th pct 20.8% 37th pct

Family & Households

Household size in Ballinain Kempsey +0.1 larger in Kempsey gap narrowing
2.4 43rd pct 2.5 71st pct
One-parent in Ballinain Kempsey +11.6 pts higher in Kempsey gap widening
15.2% 33rd pct 26.8% 100th pct
Living alone in Ballinain Kempsey +0.7 pts higher in Kempsey gap narrowing
28.2% 47th pct 28.9% 55th pct

Family composition

49.9% Couples with children ◂ +6.5 pts 43.4%
33.9% Couples without children ◂ +5.9 pts 28.0%
15.2% One-parent families +11.6 pts ▸ 26.8%
1.0% Other families +0.8 pts ▸ 1.8%

Household size

38.2% 2 people ◂ +3.2 pts 35.0%
28.2% 1 person +0.7 pts ▸ 28.9%
13.9% 3 people +0.6 pts ▸ 14.4%
12.4% 4 people ◂ +1.4 pts 11.0%
5.1% 5 people +1.0 pts ▸ 6.1%
2.2% 6 or more +2.2 pts ▸ 4.4%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Ballinain Kempsey +$135 higher in Ballina gap widening
$420 94th pct $285 37th pct
Mortgage in Ballinain Kempsey +$650 higher in Ballina gap widening
$1,950 86th pct $1,300 29th pct
People / bedroom in Ballinain Kempsey even gap steady
0.80 57th pct 0.80 57th pct
Renting in Ballinain Kempsey +2.8 pts higher in Kempsey gap narrowing
26.7% 28th pct 29.5% 42nd pct
Owned outright in Ballinain Kempsey +4.2 pts higher in Ballina gap widening
41.3% 85th pct 37.1% 71st pct
Separate houses in Ballinain Kempsey +18.8 pts higher in Kempsey gap narrowing
71.7% 14th pct 90.6% 89th pct
3+ bedrooms in Ballinain Kempsey +1.2 pts higher in Kempsey gap narrowing
74.0% 24th pct 75.2% 30th pct

How homes are owned or rented

41.3% Owned outright ◂ +4.2 pts 37.1%
26.7% Rented +2.8 pts ▸ 29.5%
27.0% Owned with a mortgage +2.2 pts ▸ 29.3%
3.1% Other tenure ◂ +1.7 pts 1.5%
1.8% Not stated +0.9 pts ▸ 2.7%

Types of homes

71.7% Separate house +18.8 pts ▸ 90.6%
20.7% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +18.7 pts 2.0%
5.0% Flat or apartment +0.8 pts ▸ 5.9%
2.2% Other dwelling ◂ +0.9 pts 1.2%

Bedrooms per home

40.9% 3 bedrooms +5.9 pts ▸ 46.9%
26.6% 4 bedrooms ◂ +3.9 pts 22.6%
20.3% 2 bedrooms ◂ +2.6 pts 17.6%
6.5% 5 or more ◂ +0.8 pts 5.7%
3.7% 1 bedroom even 3.7%
0.4% Studio / none +0.2 pts ▸ 0.6%

Weekly rent distribution

19.6% $200–$349 +33.6 pts ▸ 53.2%
40.4% $350–$549 ◂ +15.3 pts 25.1%
20.9% $550–$749 ◂ +20.2 pts 0.7%
11.5% Under $200 +5.1 pts ▸ 16.6%
4.0% $750 or more ◂ +4.0 pts 0.0%

Monthly mortgage distribution

26.3% $1,000–$1,799 +18.6 pts ▸ 44.9%
33.9% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +16.5 pts 17.4%
15.8% Under $1,000 +11.0 pts ▸ 26.8%
17.3% $3,000 or more ◂ +13.5 pts 3.8%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Ballinain Kempsey +2.5 pts higher in Kempsey gap steady
4.9% 26th pct 7.4% 79th pct
Work from home in Ballinain Kempsey +10.9 pts higher in Ballina gap widening
16.7% 84th pct 5.8% 30th pct
PT commute in Ballinain Kempsey +0.0 pts higher in Kempsey gap steady
0.3% 27th pct 0.4% 30th pct

How people get to work

59.0% Car (driver) +10.0 pts ▸ 69.1%
16.7% Worked at home ◂ +10.9 pts 5.8%
3.6% Car (passenger) +2.9 pts ▸ 6.5%
2.8% Walked ◂ +0.3 pts 2.5%
1.1% Bicycle ◂ +0.9 pts 0.2%
0.3% Bus +0.1 pts ▸ 0.4%
0.0% Train even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

39.1% 2 vehicles ◂ +5.3 pts 33.9%
37.1% 1 vehicle +0.5 pts ▸ 37.6%
12.3% 3 vehicles +0.7 pts ▸ 13.0%
6.6% 4 or more +1.5 pts ▸ 8.1%
4.9% No vehicle +2.5 pts ▸ 7.4%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Ballinain Kempsey +7.9 pts higher in Ballina gap narrowing
40.6% 53rd pct 32.7% 8th pct
Recent arrivals in Ballinain Kempsey +3.4 pts higher in Ballina gap narrowing
9.1% 25th pct 5.7% 6th pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Ballinain Kempsey +5.1 pts higher in Kempsey gap widening
3.4% 14th pct 8.6% 100th pct
Participation in Ballinain Kempsey +12.1 pts higher in Ballina gap widening
55.5% 38th pct 43.4% 1st pct
Full-time in Ballinain Kempsey +1.5 pts higher in Kempsey gap narrowing
51.0% 10th pct 52.5% 13th pct

Industries people work in

18.6% Health care & social assistance +2.9 pts ▸ 21.5%
10.5% Retail trade +2.4 pts ▸ 12.9%
10.7% Education & training ◂ +1.9 pts 8.8%
10.2% Construction ◂ +2.4 pts 7.7%
8.8% Accommodation & food ◂ +0.5 pts 8.2%
5.2% Public administration & safety +1.9 pts ▸ 7.1%
4.1% Manufacturing +2.4 pts ▸ 6.5%
5.8% Professional & technical ◂ +3.5 pts 2.3%
2.6% Transport & warehousing +1.7 pts ▸ 4.3%
4.0% Agriculture, forestry & fishing ◂ +1.0 pts 3.0%
3.8% Other services ◂ +0.2 pts 3.6%
3.3% Administrative & support +0.5 pts ▸ 3.8%

Occupations people work in

22.6% Professionals ◂ +8.3 pts 14.3%
13.5% Community & personal service +6.0 pts ▸ 19.5%
13.9% Managers ◂ +4.3 pts 9.6%
13.8% Technicians & trades ◂ +1.2 pts 12.5%
10.0% Labourers +3.7 pts ▸ 13.8%
11.0% Clerical & administrative ◂ +0.5 pts 10.5%
9.6% Sales workers +0.9 pts ▸ 10.5%
4.1% Machinery operators & drivers +3.3 pts ▸ 7.4%

Walkability

Walk score in Ballinain Kempsey +0.9 higher in Ballina
5.0 51st pct 4.1 27th pct
Types ≤15 min in Ballinain Kempsey +0.8 more in Ballina
4.7 48th pct 3.9 23rd pct
15-min city in Ballinain Kempsey +7.4 pts higher in Ballina
52.8% 48th pct 45.4% 29th pct
Walk to shops in Ballinain Kempsey +8.8 pts higher in Ballina
57.4% 60th pct 48.6% 33rd pct
Walk to transit in Ballinain Kempsey +8.8 pts higher in Ballina
78.5% 39th pct 69.7% 28th pct
Walk to school in Ballinain Kempsey +1.3 pts higher in Kempsey
55.3% 29th pct 56.6% 32nd pct
Walk to a park in Ballinain Kempsey +16.9 pts higher in Ballina
87.6% 43rd pct 70.6% 12th pct
Walk to health in Ballinain Kempsey +4.7 pts higher in Ballina
39.5% 46th pct 34.8% 30th pct
Amenities/1k in Ballinain Kempsey +5.9 more in Kempsey
24.3 86th pct 30.2 91st pct
Intersections/km² in Ballinain Kempsey +1 higher in Ballina
11 28th pct 10 24th pct
Mean slope in Ballinain Kempsey +1.0 pts higher in Kempsey
5.5% 58th pct 6.5% 72nd 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 Kempsey with nearby areas

Port Macquarie Camden Haven Taree Coffs Harbour Forster - Tuncurry Armidale Grafton Nelson Bay Tamworth Medowie Newcastle - Maitland Singleton

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Ballina vs Kempsey [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sua/1003/ballina/vs/1017/kempsey