It is divided between the Shire of Moorabool and City of Greater Geelong local government areas.

It lies north of Geelong and 54 kilometres (34 mi) from the state capital, Melbourne.

[1] The locality was named for a house in Geelong owned by Foster Fyans, which was in turn named for Balliang (or Ballyang), who was an Aboriginal leader employed by Fyans.

8.3% of Balliang residents identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders.

The predominant ancestry in Balliang is English, with 29.3% of residents identifying as such.