Ballarat: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Ballarat: The median total income of residents of the City of Ballarat who had income was $55,825 a year in 2022-23 (before tax, excluding government pensions and allowances), 9th lowest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $58,216. Boundary: the City of Ballarat local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Health in Ballarat: 1,516 births were registered to mothers living in the City of Ballarat in 2024, and the total fertility rate was 1.68 births per woman, above the national figure (1.54). Boundary: the City of Ballarat local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Education in Ballarat: 52.7% of residents of the City of Ballarat aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, 7th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: the City of Ballarat local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Poverty and living standards in Ballarat: The median weekly rent paid by households in the City of Ballarat was $297 at the 2021 Census (rents on census night, 10 August 2021), 3rd lowest of 31 areas; the national median was $375. Boundary: the City of Ballarat local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
What is the population of Ballarat?
The City of Ballarat had an estimated 122,661 residents on 30 June 2025 (ABS preliminary estimate), 6th lowest of 31 areas covered on this site. Boundary: the City of Ballarat local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyIs the population of Ballarat growing?
The population of the City of Ballarat grew by 2,102 people (1.7%) in the year to 30 June 2025, from 120,559 to 122,661; Australia as a whole grew 1.5%.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow fast has the population of Ballarat grown in the last five years?
Between 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2025 the estimated population of the City of Ballarat rose 9.9%, from 111,645 to 122,661, compared with 7.7% for Australia.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people moved to Ballarat in 2024-25?
In the year to 30 June 2025 the City of Ballarat had net overseas migration of +487 people and net internal (within Australia) migration of +1,047 people.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the population density of Ballarat?
The City of Ballarat covers 739 square kilometres, so its 2025 population works out at about 166 people per square kilometre.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median age in Ballarat?
The median age of residents of the City of Ballarat was 38.5 years in 2024, above the national figure (38.3 years).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households are there in Ballarat?
The 2021 Census counted 44,654 households in the City of Ballarat, with an average of 2.4 people per household.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Ballarat were born overseas?
At the 2021 Census 11.3% of residents of the City of Ballarat were born overseas, below the national figure (27.6%), and 7.0% spoke a language other than English at home, below the national figure (22.3%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWho runs Ballarat?
In Australia, cities and towns are run by local governments: Councillors elected (methods vary by state; voting compulsory in some states); mayors directly elected in some places and chosen by councillors in others. Local roads, planning approvals, waste, libraries, parks, rates (property tax).
How local power works in Australia
Cities of a similar size in Australia
- Greater Wollongong 322,343
- Geelong 295,052
- Greater Hobart 255,250
- Sydney 241,797
- Wollongong 224,327
- Townsville 206,260
- Melbourne 194,481
- Toowoomba 186,276
- Cairns 179,334
- Newcastle 178,935
- Greater Darwin 159,284
- Bendigo 126,568
- Albury-Wodonga 102,435
- Darwin 90,035
- Hobart 55,859
- Perth 35,673
Up a level: all cities in Australia · Australia · government and power
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Regional population 2024-25: estimated resident population by Local Government Area and Significant Urban Area, 2001 to 2025 (data cube 32180DS0004), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 625c7c3de3b7…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.