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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Maclean - Yamba - Iluka's population is around 19,396 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 1,863 people (10.6%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 17,533 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 18,241 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 868 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 27 persons per square kilometer, providing ample space per person. Maclean - Yamba - Iluka's 10.6% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the Rest of NSW (5.9%) and the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration, which contributed approximately 72.4% 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 regional areas across the nation is expected, with the area expected to expand by 2,131 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 5.0% 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 around 181 residential properties granted approval annually, totalling 909 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26235 approvals have been recorded. At an average of 1.3 new residents per year arriving per new home over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), supply and demand seem well-matched, fostering stable market dynamics, while new dwellings are developed at an average value of $312,000. There have also been $15.0 million in commercial approvals this financial year, suggesting balanced commercial development activity.

Relative to the Rest of NSW, Maclean - Yamba - Iluka has 85.0% more construction activity (per person), creating greater choice for buyers. Recent construction comprises 87.0% detached houses and 13.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The location has approximately 106 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market.

Population forecasts indicate Maclean - Yamba - Iluka will gain 976 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, 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

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 27 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include Clifton Yamba, West Yamba Shopping Centre, Yamba Library and Community Centre (Treelands Drive Community Hub), and Yamba Wooli Road Bridge Replacement, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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 Maclean - Yamba - Iluka has been broadly consistent with national averages

Maclean - Yamba - Iluka features a skilled workforce, with essential services sectors well represented, an unemployment rate of only 3.5%, and 3.1% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 6,631 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 0.4% below Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%, and workforce participation lags significantly (44.2% compared to Regional NSW's 61.3%). Based on Census responses, a low 13.5% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. The area has a particular employment specialization in accommodation & food, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level. In contrast, mining employs just 0.9% of local workers, below Regional NSW's 2.5%. The area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of the Census working population versus the resident population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 3.1% while the labour force increased by 2.7%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW experienced an employment decline of 1.2% and a labour force decline of 0.8%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Maclean - Yamba - Iluka. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific 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 (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

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 of $52,588 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for FY-23. This is below the national average, contrasting with Regional NSW's median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since FY-23, 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 (5,663 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

Dwelling structure within Maclean - Yamba - Iluka, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 82.8% houses and 17.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Maclean - Yamba - Iluka was well beyond that of Regional NSW, at 52.4%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (23.1%) or rented (24.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well below the Regional NSW average at $1,517, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $360, compared to Regional NSW's $1,733 and $330. Nationally, Maclean - Yamba - Iluka's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are 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 dominate at 67.7% of all households, comprising 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 of 2.2 people is smaller than the Regional 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 faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates (17.6%) substantially below the NSW average of 32.2%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 12.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 41.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (10.4%) and certificates (31.0%).

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

Public transport analysis reveals 177 active transport stops operating within Maclean - Yamba - Iluka, comprising a mix of ferry and buses. These stops are serviced by 58 individual routes, collectively providing 578 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 279 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 90%, with 7% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling, which is below the regional average. A relatively low 13.5% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 82 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 3 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location 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, and the rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~8,980 people). This compares to 51.9% across Regional NSW. The national average is 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 as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 34.7% of residents aged 65 and over (6,724 people), which is higher than the 23.4% in Regional 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 was found to be below average in terms of cultural diversity, with 88.5% of its population born in Australia, 91.1% being citizens, and 96.7% speaking English only at home. The main religion in Maclean - Yamba - Iluka is Christianity, which makes up 55.3% of the population. This compares to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Maclean - Yamba - Iluka are English, comprising 33.1% of the population, Australian, comprising 29.0% of the population, and Scottish, comprising 10.2% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Irish is notably overrepresented at 10.1% of Maclean - Yamba - Iluka (vs 8.8% regionally), Australian Aboriginal at 3.8% (vs 4.6%) and German at 3.3% (vs 3.1%).

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

The 54-year median age in Maclean - Yamba - Iluka is significantly above Regional NSW's average of 43 and considerably older than the national norm of 38. Compared to the Regional NSW average, the 65 - 74 cohort is notably over-represented (18.4% locally), while 25 - 34 year-olds are under-represented (7.0%). This 65 - 74 concentration is well above the national 9.5%. Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 9.1% to 10.4% of the population, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 7.7% to 8.8%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 16.4% to 14.3%. By 2041, Maclean - Yamba - Iluka is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 85+ age cohort is projected to expand considerably, increasing by 502 people (59%) from 853 to 1,356. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15 to 24 and 5 to 14 cohorts.