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

As of November 2025, Maclean-Yamba-Iluka's population is approximately 19,336. This figure reflects a growth of 1,803 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 17,533. The increase is inferred from the estimated resident population of 18,241 in June 2024 and an additional 744 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 27 persons per square kilometer. Maclean-Yamba-Iluka's growth rate of 10.3% since the 2021 census exceeded the Rest of NSW (5.7%) and the SA4 region, indicating it as a growth leader in the area. 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 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of regional areas is expected by 2041. The area is projected to expand by 2,131 persons by then, reflecting an increase of approximately 5.4% 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 has recorded approximately 181 residential property approvals annually over the past five financial years. This totals 909 homes from FY21 to FY25. As of FY26187 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.3 new residents arrive per new home each year during this period.

The average construction cost for new dwellings is $312,000. This financial year has seen $15.0 million in commercial approvals, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the rest of NSW, Maclean-Yamba-Iluka has 85% more construction activity per person. Recent construction comprises 87% detached houses and 13% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's traditional low density character.

There are approximately 106 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market. Population forecasts indicate Maclean-Yamba-Iluka will gain 1,036 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 38thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 27 projects that could impact this region. Notable ones include Clifton Yamba, West Yamba Shopping Centre, Yamba Library and Community Centre (Treelands Drive Community Hub), and Yamba Wooli Road Bridge Replacement. 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.

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. The unemployment rate was 3.9% in September 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.3%.

As of September 2025, there were 6,564 residents employed, with an unemployment rate aligning with Rest of NSW's 3.8%. Workforce participation lagged significantly at 43.9%, compared to Rest of NSW's 61.5%. Census responses showed that only 13.5% of residents worked from home. Dominant employment sectors were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food.

The area had a particular specialization in accommodation & food, with an employment share of 1.5 times the regional level. Mining employed just 0.9% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 2.5%. Employment opportunities locally appeared limited, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 2.3%, while labour force increased by 3.5%, causing a rise in unemployment rate by 1.1 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced an employment decline of 0.5% and labour force decline of 0.1%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 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 these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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

The Maclean-Yamba-Iluka SA2 shows a median taxpayer income of $41,638 and an average income of $52,588 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is below the national average, contrasting with Rest of NSW's median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $45,327 (median) and $57,247 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Maclean-Yamba-Iluka all fall between the 6th and 8th percentiles nationally. Distribution data shows the largest segment comprises 29.2% earning $400-$799 weekly (5,646 residents), diverging from the surrounding region where the $1,500-$2,999 category predominates at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.3% of income remaining, ranking at the 8th percentile.

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 comparable to Non-Metro NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Maclean-Yamba-Iluka stood at 52.4%, with mortgaged properties at 23.1% and rented ones at 24.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent was $360, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $330. Nationally, Maclean-Yamba-Iluka's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 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 make up the remaining 32.3%, with lone person households at 29.2% and group households comprising 3.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

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 NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the 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 engaged in formal education, comprising 8.7% in primary, 6.8% in secondary, and 1.8% in tertiary education.

A substantial 22.9% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 8.7% in primary education, 6.8% in secondary education, and 1.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Maclean - Yamba - Iluka has 177 active public transport stops offering a mix of ferry and bus services. These are covered by 58 routes providing 578 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is good with residents typically 279 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward, predominantly by car (90%), with 7% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling. In 2021 Census data, 13.5% of residents worked from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 82 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 3 weekly trips per stop. The provided map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

Health performance in Maclean - Yamba - Iluka is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Maclean-Yamba-Iluka faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~8,952 people), compared to 51.9% across Rest of NSW and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 13.5 and 8.6% of residents respectively, while 58.4% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 63.3% across Rest of NSW. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 34.5% of residents aged 65 and over (6,672 people), which is higher than the 23.0% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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 lower cultural diversity, 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%. This compares to 55.9% across Rest of NSW.

The top ancestry groups were English (33.1%), Australian (29.0%), and Scottish (10.2%). There were notable differences in ethnic group representation: Irish at 10.1% versus regional 8.8%, Australian Aboriginal at 3.8% versus 4.6%, and German at 3.3% versus 3.1%.

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 the national norm of 38. Compared to Rest of NSW, the 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented at 18.3% locally, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 6.8%. The concentration of the 65-74 cohort is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 9.1% to 10.3%, and the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 7.7% to 8.8%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort declined from 16.4% to 14.8%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 11.0% to 10.0%. By 2041, Maclean-Yamba-Iluka is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 85+ cohort projected to expand by 516 people (62%) from 839 to 1,356. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5 to 14 and 65 to 74 cohorts.