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 5,464 as of February 2026, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents a growth of 275 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 5,189. The increase is inferred from an estimated resident population of 5,366 in June 2024 and the addition of 161 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 65 persons per square kilometer. Macksville - Scotts Head's growth rate of 5.3% since the 2021 census is higher than the SA3 area's growth rate of 5.2%, indicating it as a region leader in population growth. Interstate migration contributed approximately 89.4% to the overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections are used, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Based on projected demographic shifts, Macksville - Scotts Head is expected to expand by approximately 469 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of around 6.8% 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 averaged approximately 50 new dwelling approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 250 homes were approved, with an additional 10 approved in FY26 so far. On average, about 0.9 new residents have arrived per new home each year over these five years.

This indicates that new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction value of new homes has been $322,000. In the current financial year, there have been $79.1 million in commercial approvals, suggesting strong commercial development momentum. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Macksville - Scotts Head shows 71.0% higher building activity per person, offering greater choice for buyers. However, building activity has slowed in recent years.

Recent construction comprises 73.0% detached dwellings and 27.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. This marks a significant shift from existing housing patterns, which are currently 90.0% houses, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. The location has approximately 198 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. Future projections estimate Macksville - Scotts Head adding 371 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Macksville - Scotts Head has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

No changes can impact an area's performance more than alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that could potentially affect this area. Significant 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 likely to be most relevant.

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

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Macksville - Scotts Head shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Macksville - Scotts Head has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. Its unemployment rate is 4.7%. Over the past year, employment has been relatively stable.

As of September 2025, there are 2102 residents employed, an unemployment rate of 4.7%, which is 0.9% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Macksville - Scotts Head is lower at 49.9%, compared to Rest of NSW's 61.5%. According to Census responses, only 10.9% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade.

The area has a notably high concentration in health care & social assistance, with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average. Mining, however, is under-represented, with only 0.6% of Macksville - Scotts Head's workforce compared to 2.5% in Rest of NSW. Many residents commute elsewhere for work. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 0.3%, while labour force increased by 0.2%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.1 percentage points. 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 its current 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 2023 shows Macksville - Scotts Head SA2 had a median income of $41,598 and an average income of $50,470. This is below the national average. Rest of NSW had a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215 during this period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Macksville - Scotts Head are approximately $45,284 (median) and $54,942 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Macksville - Scotts Head fall between the 3rd and 5th percentiles nationally. The income distribution shows that 29.7% of individuals earn between $400 and $799. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 5th percentile.

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

In Macksville - Scotts Head, as recorded in the latest Census, 90.1% of dwellings were houses while 9.9% comprised semi-detached homes, apartments and other types. This contrasts with Non-Metro NSW's figures of 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Macksville - Scotts Head stood at 49.8%, with mortgaged properties at 26.9% and rented ones at 23.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,382, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. Weekly rent in the area was recorded at $330, matching Non-Metro NSW's figure. Nationally, Macksville - Scotts Head's median monthly mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,382 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, while weekly rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Macksville - Scotts Head has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 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 account for 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 is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

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 most common at 11.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are held by 41.2% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 9.9% and certificates at 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

Macksville - Scotts Head has 56 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are served by 50 routes providing 644 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is good with residents typically located 282 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward, primarily using cars (91%), while 6% walk. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling, below the regional average. In 2021 Census data, 10.9% of residents worked from home, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 92 trips daily across all routes, equating to around 11 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Macksville - Scotts Head is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Macksville - Scotts Head faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment. The prevalence of common health conditions is notable across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is extremely low in the area, at approximately 46% of the total population (~2,507 people), compared to 51.9% across Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (11.4%) and mental health issues (9.1%). Conversely, 58.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Rest of NSW. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors, with 29.0% of residents aged 65 and over (1,583 people), compared to 23.4% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

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. 91.4% of its population were Australian citizens, with 90.7% born in Australia and 95.9% speaking English at home exclusively. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 55.7% of the population.

Notably, Judaism was overrepresented compared to the Rest of NSW, at 0.3% versus 0.1%. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (32.6%), English (32.6%), and Irish (8.7%). There were also notable divergences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Australian Aboriginal was overrepresented at 5.8%, Scottish at 7.7%, and Samoan at 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 the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to the Rest of NSW average, the 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented in Macksville - Scotts Head at 15.7%, while the 25-34 year-olds are under-represented at 8.0%. This concentration of the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.5%. From 2021 to present, the population of Macksville - Scotts Head has seen growth in the 35 to 44 age group from 9.5% to 12.6%, while the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 16.1% to 14.0%. Additionally, the 25 to 34 age group has decreased from 9.3% to 8.0%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Macksville - Scotts Head's age structure. The 45 to 54 age cohort is projected to experience strong growth, increasing by 155 people (28%) from 552 to 708. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15 to 24 and 55 to 64 cohorts.