Macksville - Scotts Head

Macksville - Scotts Head has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Macksville - Scotts Head's population is approximately 5,402 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 213 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,189. The growth from June 2024 to November 2025 is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,368 and an additional 142 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 64 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, ending in June 2024, Macksville - Scotts Head has shown resilient growth with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%, outperforming its SA3 area. Interstate migration contributed approximately 89.4% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch's projections for each SA2 area are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024, using 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a 2021 base year are used. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on projected demographic shifts, the area is expected to increase by 469 persons by 2041, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 8.0% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Macksville - Scotts Head recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Macksville - Scotts Head has granted around 50 residential property approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, approximately 250 homes were approved, with a further 9 approved in FY26 as of now. On average, 0.9 new residents per year have been associated with each dwelling constructed during these years.

This suggests that supply is meeting or exceeding demand, offering more buyer choices and potentially supporting population growth beyond projections. The average construction value of new properties is $322,000. In FY26, commercial approvals totalled $79.1 million, indicating robust commercial development activity compared to the rest of NSW, where Macksville - Scotts Head records 71.0% more building activity per person. The area's building activity shows a shift towards townhouses or apartments, with 73.0% detached houses and 27.0% other dwelling types. This marks a change from the current pattern of 90.0% houses, suggesting decreasing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs.

Macksville - Scotts Head has around 198 people per dwelling approval, indicating low density characteristics. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is projected to gain 433 residents by 2041. Given current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Macksville - Scotts Head has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 39thth percentile nationally

No changes can impact an area's performance more than alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 0 projects likely to affect the area. Key projects include Valla Urban Growth Area (VUGA), TAFE NSW Nambucca Heads Connected Learning Centre, Pacific Highway Upgrade: Hexham To Brisbane, and Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment performance in Macksville - Scotts Head has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Macksville - Scotts Head has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, with essential services well represented. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate is 4.7%.

Employment stability has been maintained over the past year. There are 2,102 residents employed while the unemployment rate is 0.9% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation lags at 44.0%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade.

Notably, health care & social assistance employment is 1.3 times the regional average. Mining employment is under-represented at 0.6% compared to Rest of NSW's 2.5%. Some residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 0.3%, labour force by 0.2%, reducing unemployment rate by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment decline by 0.5% and labour force decline by 0.1%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National unemployment is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest Macksville - Scotts Head's employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Macksville - Scotts Head SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $38,499 and an average of $47,794. This is below the national average. Rest of NSW had a median income of $49,459 and an average of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022, current estimates for Macksville - Scotts Head are approximately $43,354 (median) and $53,821 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Macksville - Scotts Head fall between the 3rd and 5th percentiles nationally. The $400 - 799 earnings band captures 29.7% of the community (1,604 individuals), unlike surrounding regions where 29.9% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.7% of income remaining, ranking at the 5th percentile nationally.

Macksville - Scotts Head is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The dwelling structure in Macksville - Scotts Head, as per the latest Census, consisted of 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is compared to Non-Metro NSW's 88.8% houses and 11.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Macksville - Scotts Head was 49.8%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (26.9%) or rented (23.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,382, above Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,330. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $330, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $300. Nationally, Macksville - Scotts Head's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Macksville - Scotts Head has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 67.5% of all households, including 22.0% couples with children, 31.0% couples without children, and 13.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 32.5%, with lone person households at 29.7% and group households comprising 2.8%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which matches the average for the Rest of NSW.

Macksville - Scotts Head faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 15.8%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 11.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent among residents aged 15 and above, with 41.2% holding such qualifications. Advanced diplomas account for 9.9% while certificates make up 31.3%.

Educational participation is high, with 25.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.9% in primary education, 7.7% in secondary education, and 2.1% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Transport analysis shows 46 active stops operating within Macksville - Scotts Head. These include a mix of train and bus services. There are 52 individual routes servicing these stops, collectively providing 676 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 283 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 96 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 14 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Macksville - Scotts Head is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Macksville - Scotts Head faces significant health challenges with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 46% (~2,484 people) have private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.4%) and mental health issues (9.1%). Around 58.9% report no medical ailments, similar to Rest of NSW at 58.0%. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 29.1% (1,571 people), slightly higher than the 28.1% in Rest of NSW. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are challenging but generally better than those for the overall population.

Macksville - Scotts Head is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Macksville-Scotts Head, as per the 2016 Census, had a cultural diversity index of below average. Its population was predominantly Australian-born citizens with English spoken at home: 91.4%, 90.7%, and 95.9% respectively. Christianity was the dominant religion, practiced by 55.7%.

Judaism, though small in overall NSW (0.1%), had a higher representation here at 0.3%. Ancestry-wise, Australian (32.6%), English (32.6%), and Irish (8.7%) were the top groups. Some notable differences existed for Australian Aboriginal (5.8% vs regional 7.5%), Scottish (7.7% vs 7.5%), and Samoan (0.1% vs 0.1%).

Macksville - Scotts Head ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Macksville-Scotts Head is 49, which exceeds the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and is higher than Australia's median age of 38. The 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented locally at 15.7%, compared to the Rest of NSW average, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 8.1%. This concentration of the 65-74 cohort is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 35-44 age group has grown from 9.5% to 12.2%, while the 55-64 cohort has declined from 16.1% to 14.5% and the 25-34 group has dropped from 9.3% to 8.1%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Macksville-Scotts Head's age structure. The 45-54 cohort is projected to grow by 167 people (31%), increasing from 540 to 708. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15-24 and 55-64 cohorts.