Balmain · Statistical Area 2 (SA2)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A massive gap in overall advantage separates Balmain from most other areas, with a typical score of 1,161. This is one of the most advantaged places in the country, where residents have exceptional levels of education and job skills.
All statistical area 2 (sa2) areas, 2021. The marker is Balmain — higher than 99% of areas.
| Balmain | 10 |
|---|---|
| 2041, NSW | 10 |
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area ranks among the highest in Australia for overall advantage and job skills, scoring a perfect 10 in both categories. This is reflected in an advantage score that is well above the national average of 1,000.
10
Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
10
Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
8
Higher than 71% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
10
Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
1,161
Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
Population has grown by 3.1% since 2021, which is a little below the New South Wales figure of 6.1%. The total population now stands at 16,124 people.
16,124
Higher than 75% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
3.1%
Lower than 63% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
With 2,269 businesses, Balmain is among the largest areas at this level for the number of commercial enterprises.
2,269
Higher than 86% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Balmain [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/120021387/balmain/topic/economy-advantage
