Maclean - Yamba - Iluka

Population growth drivers in Maclean - Yamba - Iluka are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

AreaSearch's analysis indicates Maclean-Yamba-Iluka's population is approximately 19,431 as of Nov 2025. This represents an increase of 1,898 people (10.8%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 17,533. The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 18,241 in June 2024 and an additional 744 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 27 persons per square kilometer. Maclean-Yamba-Iluka's growth rate exceeded both its SA4 region (5.1%) and non-metro areas, marking it as a regional growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 72.4% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a 2022 base year. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections are used, released in 2022 with a 2021 base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends suggest an increase just below the national regional median, with the area expected to expand by 2,131 persons to 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 4.8% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Maclean - Yamba - Iluka among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Maclean-Yamba-Iluka recorded approximately 181 residential property approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 909 homes. As of FY-26, 44 approvals have been granted. On average, 1.3 new residents per year were associated with each new home between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand dynamics. The average construction value of new dwellings was $312,000 during this period.

This financial year has seen $15.0 million in commercial approvals, suggesting active commercial development. Compared to the rest of NSW, Maclean-Yamba-Iluka has 85.0% more construction activity per person. Recent construction comprised 87.0% detached houses and 13.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character. The location had approximately 106 people per dwelling approval, indicating a growing market.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Maclean-Yamba-Iluka is forecasted to gain 941 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Maclean - Yamba - Iluka has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 39thth percentile nationally

The performance of a region can significantly be influenced by changes in local infrastructure. AreaSearch has identified 27 projects that could potentially impact this area. Notable among these are Clifton Yamba, Yamba Library and Community Centre (Treelands Drive Community Hub), West Yamba Shopping Centre, and the replacement of the Yamba Wooli Road Bridge. The following list details those projects likely to have the most relevance.

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

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Maclean - Yamba - Iluka has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Maclean-Yamba-Iluka has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 3.9% in September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 2.3% over the past year.

As of that date, 6,564 residents were employed, matching Rest of NSW's unemployment rate of 3.8%, but with lower workforce participation at 43.4%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. The area specializes in accommodation & food, employing 1.5 times the regional level, while mining employs only 0.9% of local workers compared to Rest of NSW's 2.5%. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 2.3%, but labour force grew by 3.5%, raising unemployment by 1.1 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. Statewide, NSW's employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs) as of 25-Nov, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Maclean-Yamba-Iluka's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

The Maclean-Yamba-Iluka SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $39,277 and an average of $50,822 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is below the national averages of $49,459 (median) and $62,998 (average), which were recorded for Rest of NSW during the same period. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $44,230 (median) and $57,231 (average) for the Maclean-Yamba-Iluka region. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Maclean-Yamba-Iluka fall between the 6th and 8th percentiles nationally. Income distribution data shows that 29.2% of residents earned between $400-$799 weekly, with a total of 5,673 individuals in this income bracket. This differs from the surrounding region where the largest segment is those earning $1,500-$2,999 weekly at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Maclean-Yamba-Iluka, with only 84.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 8th percentile nationally.

Maclean - Yamba - Iluka is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Maclean - Yamba - Iluka, as per the latest Census evaluation, 82.8% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 17.2% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This is compared to Non-Metro NSW's 86.5% houses and 13.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Maclean - Yamba - Iluka stood at 52.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.1% and rented ones at 24.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,387. The median weekly rent in the area was $360, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $310. Nationally, Maclean - Yamba - Iluka's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,517 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were also lower at $360 compared to the national figure of $375.

Maclean - Yamba - Iluka has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 67.7% of all households, including 19.2% couples with children, 37.8% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 32.3%, with lone person households at 29.2% and group households making up 3.2%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

Educational outcomes in Maclean - Yamba - Iluka fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 17.6%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This discrepancy presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 41.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.4%) and certificates (31.0%).

A total of 22.9% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, with 8.7% in primary, 6.8% in secondary, and 1.8% in tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 147 active stops operating within Maclean - Yamba - Iluka. These include a mix of ferry and bus services. There are 58 individual routes serving these stops, collectively providing 540 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 279 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 77 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 3 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Maclean - Yamba - Iluka is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Maclean-Yamba-Iluka faces significant health challenges with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 46% (~9,015 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 13.5%) and mental health issues (8.6%). Conversely, 58.4% report no medical ailments, similar to Rest of NSW at 58.7%. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 34.5% (6,705 people), higher than the Rest of NSW average of 27.5%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are notably strong compared to general population metrics.

Maclean - Yamba - Iluka is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Maclean-Yamba-Iluka had a cultural diversity index below average, with 88.5% of its population born in Australia, 91.1% being citizens, and 96.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 55.3%, compared to 55.6% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were English (33.1%), Australian (29.0%), and Scottish (10.2%).

Notably, Irish (10.1%) and German (3.3%) were proportionally similar to the regional averages, while Australian Aboriginal was underrepresented at 3.8% compared to 5.5%.

Maclean - Yamba - Iluka ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Maclean-Yamba-Iluka is 54 years, significantly higher than Rest of NSW's average of 43 and older than Australia's national norm of 38. Locally, those aged 65-74 comprise 18.3%, compared to Rest of NSW's 12.9% and the national figure of 9.4%. Conversely, individuals aged 25-34 make up only 6.8% of Maclean-Yamba-Iluka's population, lower than Rest of NSW's 10.7%. Between 2016 and 2021, the age group 35 to 44 grew from 9.1% to 10.3%, while those aged 15 to 24 increased from 7.7% to 8.8%. However, the 55 to 64 cohort declined from 16.4% to 14.8%, and the 45 to 54 group decreased from 11.0% to 10.0%. By 2041, Maclean-Yamba-Iluka's population is projected to see significant changes. The 85+ age cohort is expected to expand by 61% from 843 to 1,356 people. Conversely, the 15 to 24 and 5 to 14 cohorts are projected to decline in population.