The name is first found as Bordeshale in 1275, which is derived from the Old English words Bord's healh meaning 'Bord's heath' or 'Bord's nook' implying a corner or small area of land, perhaps a sheltered hollow in the landscape, protected by trees, possibly within a river-bend.

[1][2][3] The name stems from the Anglian personal name of one Bord, who held property in the area, and in this way shares its origin with that of neighbouring Bordesley, first record as Bordesleie or Bordeslea meaning 'Bord's clearing'.

Balsall Heath was formerly a chapelry in the parish of King's Norton,[6] in Worcestershire, it was added to the county borough of Birmingham in Warwickshire on 1 October 1891.

By this time the small lake ("Lady Pool" on old maps) at the end of Ladypool Road had been filled in to create a park.

Brighton Road railway station led to further expansion, and the end of the 19th century saw a proliferation of high-density small terraced houses.

With the mosque being located in the area, more Muslim immigrants began to move into private lodgings in Balsall Heath.

The local council considered demolishing these properties but chose to refurbish them as part of an urban renewal scheme.

Birmingham City Council offered loans to those who would otherwise be unable to repair their properties, and the area has now made a full recovery.

Balsall Heath is part of the Birmingham Hall Green constituency for general elections to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom.