Economy, jobs and prices in Ballarat, Australia: official figures
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.
What is the median wage in Ballarat?
The median employee income in the City of Ballarat was $58,679 for the year 2022-23, 7th lowest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $61,966.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Ballarat?
The median equivalised household income in the City of Ballarat was $935 a week at the 2021 Census (household income adjusted for household size), 2nd lowest of 26 areas; for Australia it was $1,070.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Ballarat?
The unemployment rate in the City of Ballarat was 4.7% at the 2021 Census (census night, 10 August 2021), joint 9th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (5.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Ballarat?
60.3% of residents of the City of Ballarat aged 15 and over were in the labour force (working or looking for work) at the 2021 Census, 9th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (61.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Ballarat?
Of the 53,104 employed residents of the City of Ballarat at the 2021 Census, the largest industries were health care and social assistance (19.1%; 14.5% nationally), education and training (10.8%) and retail trade (10.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many businesses are there in Ballarat?
10,151 businesses were registered in the City of Ballarat at 30 June 2025, which is 83 for every 1,000 residents (9th lowest of 26 areas; Australia 99); 62% of them had no employees.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many new homes were approved in Ballarat in 2024-25?
Building approvals in the City of Ballarat in 2024-25 covered 690 new dwellings (5.6 per 1,000 residents; Australia 6.8) and building work worth $765 million in total.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median house price in Ballarat?
The median price of an established house sold in the City of Ballarat in 2023-24 was $550,000, joint 2nd lowest of 26 areas (Australia $780,000); the median price of an attached dwelling (such as a unit or townhouse) was $375,500.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people rent in Ballarat?
2.5% of occupied homes in the City of Ballarat were flats or apartments at the 2021 Census (Australia 14.2%), and 31.6% of homes were rented (Australia 30.6%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households in Ballarat do not own a car?
6.1% of households in the City of Ballarat had no motor vehicle at the 2021 Census, 10th lowest of 26 areas (Australia 7.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many solar panels were installed in Ballarat in 2024?
1,419 small-scale solar panel systems were installed in the City of Ballarat in 2024, 11.8 per 1,000 residents (Australia 11.7).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Ballarat compares with other cities in Australia
Unemployment rate, 2021 Census (2021 Census (10 August 2021))
Ballarat ranks 23 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Newcastle-Maitland | 4.8% |
| 21 | Central Coast | 4.7% |
| 22 | Greater Wollongong | 4.7% |
| 23 | Ballarat | 4.7% |
| 24 | Albury-Wodonga | 4.6% |
| 25 | Sunshine Coast | 4.4% |
| 26 | Geelong | 4.4% |
Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 (2022-23)
Ballarat ranks 18 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Greater Adelaide | $57,401 |
| 16 | Greater Hobart | $56,852 |
| 17 | Perth | $56,520 |
| 18 | Ballarat | $55,825 |
| 19 | Toowoomba | $55,551 |
| 20 | Cairns | $55,547 |
| 21 | Central Coast | $55,035 |
Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 (30 June 2025)
Ballarat ranks 18 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Greater Adelaide | 87 |
| 16 | Greater Brisbane | 86 |
| 17 | Cairns | 85 |
| 18 | Ballarat | 83 |
| 19 | Geelong | 80 |
| 20 | Greater Darwin | 79 |
| 21 | Canberra | 76 |
More on Ballarat: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in Australia
Sources
- 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…)
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