Macksville - Scotts Head
Statistical Area - sa2

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 around 5,398 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,189 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 5,371 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 139 validated new addresses since the Census date. Over the past decade, Macksville - Scotts Head has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 89.4% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year.

For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering the projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of non-metropolitan areas nationally is expected, with the area expected to increase by 469 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, reflecting an increase of 8.1% in total over the 17 years.

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 approximately 50 residential property approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 250 homes were approved, with an additional 8 approved in FY26. On average, each year saw 0.9 new residents per dwelling constructed during these years.

This suggests that supply is meeting or exceeding demand, offering greater buyer choice and supporting potential population growth beyond projections. The average construction cost of new properties is $420,000, aligning with broader regional development trends. In FY26 alone, commercial development approvals totalled $79.1 million, indicating high local commercial activity. Compared to the rest of NSW, Macksville - Scotts Head has recorded 71.0% higher new home approvals per capita. This should provide ample buyer choice, though building activity has slowed in recent years.

New developments consist of 73.0% standalone homes and 27.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. This marks a shift from existing housing patterns, which are currently 90.0% houses, possibly due to diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences. With around 198 people per dwelling approval, Macksville - Scotts Head exhibits characteristics of a low-density area. By 2041, the area is expected to grow by 437 residents. Assuming current construction levels continue, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Macksville - Scotts Head has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 17thth percentile nationally

No changes can affect an area's performance more than modifications to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. Zero projects have been identified by AreaSearch that could potentially impact this area. Significant projects include Valla Urban Growth Area (VUGA), TAFE NSW Nambucca Heads Connected Learning Centre, Pacific Highway Upgrade: Hexham To Brisbane, and Corridor Preservation For East Coast High Speed Rail. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

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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. Essential services sectors are well represented, with an unemployment rate of 4.6% as of June 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.8%. There are 2,114 residents in work, with an unemployment rate 1.0% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation is lower at 44.0%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries for employment among residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade.

The area specializes in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level, while mining has lower representation at 0.6% compared to the regional average of 2.5%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. In the past year, employment increased by 1.8%, labour force grew by 0.8%, and unemployment fell by 0.9 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment contracted by 0.1%, labour force grew by 0.3%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with a state unemployment rate of 4.3%. National unemployment rate is 4.5%, with national employment growth at 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Macksville - Scotts Head's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.7%% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, assuming no change in population projections.

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 indicates Macksville - Scotts Head's median income among taxpayers is $38,499. The average income in the area was $47,794 during this period. Both figures are below the national average. Comparing with Rest of NSW, Macksville - Scotts Head has a lower median and average income ($49,459 and $62,998 respectively). Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for March 2025 would be approximately $42,580 (median) and $52,860 (average). According to Census 2021 income data, Macksville - Scotts Head's household, family and personal incomes all fall within the 3rd to 5th percentiles nationally. The income bracket of $400 - 799 dominates with 29.7% of residents (1,603 people), unlike surrounding regions where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket is dominant at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Macksville - Scotts Head, with only 83.7% of income remaining after housing costs, 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

Dwelling structure in Macksville - Scotts Head, as evaluated at the Census conducted in 2016, comprised 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 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, as of 2016, was $1,382, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $330. Nationally, Macksville - Scotts Head's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and 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 constitute 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 aligns with 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 NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 11.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.9%) and certificates (31.3%). Educational participation is high at 25.7%, comprising primary education (9.9%), secondary education (7.7%), and tertiary education (2.1%).

The area's 4 schools have a combined enrollment of 1,046 students, with an ICSEA score of 967, indicating balanced educational opportunities. There are 3 primary schools and 1 secondary school serving distinct age groups. School capacity exceeds residential needs at 19.4 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 13.1, suggesting the area serves as an educational hub for the broader region.

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 area, including both train and bus services. These stops are served by 52 individual routes, offering a total of 676 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents on average located 283 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 96 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 14 weekly trips per individual 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. The rate of private health cover stands at approximately 46%, covering around 2,483 people, which is lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.4%) and mental health issues (9.1%). About 58.9% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 58.0% in Rest of NSW. In terms of age distribution, 29.1% of residents are aged 65 and over, totaling 1,570 people, which is higher than the 28.1% recorded in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with metrics showing better performance compared to the general 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, surveyed in June 2016, had a cultural diversity score below average. It was reported that 91.4% of its population were Australian citizens, born locally with English as their primary language at home (90.7%, 95.9%). Christianity dominated religious beliefs there, accounting for 55.7%.

Notably, Judaism was overrepresented compared to the rest of NSW, with 0.3% versus 0.1%. In terms of ancestry, Australian and English were equally prominent at 32.6%, followed by Irish at 8.7%. Some ethnic groups showed notable variations: Australian Aboriginal was higher than regional averages (5.8% vs 7.5%), Scottish also slightly overrepresented (7.7% vs 7.5%), while Samoan representation remained consistent with region-wide figures (0.1%).

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

Macksville-Scotts Head has a median age of 49, which is higher than Rest of NSW's figure of 43 and Australia's national average of 38 years. 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 population of the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 9.5% to 12.2%, while the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 16.1% to 14.5%, and the 25 to 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 to 54 age cohort is projected to grow by 167 people (31%), increasing from 540 to 708. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15 to 24 and 55 to 64 cohorts.