Suburb / Locality · Area profile
Balmain
2 km²
Far higher incomes and education levels than the national average define the character of Balmain. This inner-city community is a hub for wealthy professionals, with a typical weekly family income of $4,562 that far exceeds the state figure. It is a highly educated area where many residents work from home and a large proportion are born overseas. This blend of professional success and global backgrounds creates a distinct, affluent residential pocket in Sydney's Inner West.
An affluent area whose schools serve an equally well-off community.
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The typical resident is 42, making the area noticeably older than the state and national figures. A striking 17.1% of people are in de facto relationships, which is much higher than in most similar areas.
People born overseas make up 31.2% of the population, a figure well above the national average. English ancestry is the most common at 40.8%, followed by Australian and Irish roots.
English is the main language for 83.4% of the community. While more people use another language at home than in most similar areas, this is still far below the New South Wales average.
More than half the population (52.6%) report having no religion. This is far above the national figure of 38.9%.
Education levels are among the highest in the country, with 55.4% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is far above the national figure of 26.3%.
Wealth is very high here, with 48.2% of households earning $3,000 or more a week, far above the state average of 25.2%. Typical personal weekly income is $1,577, also far above the national figure.
Residents are slightly healthier than the national average, with only 25.6% reporting a long-term health condition. This is a little below the figures for both the state and Australia.
Volunteer rates are 19.1%, which is well above the national figure of 14.1%. Unpaid care for children is about the same as the state and national averages.
First Nations residents are far older than the national average, with a typical age of 38. Year 12 completion is also much higher than most areas at 56.1%.
The area has a high number of people living alone (33.2%), well above the national figure. Homes are smaller than usual, with only 2.2 people per dwelling.
Renters make up 41.4% of the population, far above the national figure. Typical weekly rent is $625 and monthly mortgage payments are $3,986, both of which are among the highest in the region.
A huge 60.9% of people work from home, far above the national figure of 21.0%. Consequently, 15.0% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is well above the state average.
The community is quite mobile, with 45.4% of people moving in the last five years. This is well above the national average of 40.7%.
Employment is strong, with 68.1% of people working full-time, far above the national figure of 58.9%. Many residents work as professionals or managers in technical and financial fields.
Balmain is a walker's paradise with a score of 9.1. Every single home is within a 15-minute walk of groceries, health services, parks, and public transport.