Macquarie Fields

An assessment of population growth drivers in Macquarie Fields reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

According to the analysis conducted by AreaSearch, the population of Macquarie Fields is estimated at approximately 14,646 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 448 residents (3.2%) from the 14,198 individuals recorded in the 2021 Census. This population shift is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 14,551 along with 72 validated new addresses registered since the Census. The resulting population density stands at 1,623 persons per square kilometer, a figure that exceeds the typical density found across evaluated national areas. The primary driver of this population growth has been overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 64.3% of the overall population gains in recent times.

AreaSearch utilizes the 2024 population projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, which use 2022 as their baseline year. For regions not covered by this dataset, projections from the 2022 NSW State Government release with a 2021 baseline are implemented. Growth rates categorized by age bracket from these datasets are projected forward for the years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, the population is projected to expand at a rate slightly below the national median for statistical areas, increasing by 625 people by 2041 based on recent annual ERP statistics, representing a total growth of 3.6% over the 16-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Macquarie Fields according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

An average of about 42 new residential approvals are issued annually in Macquarie Fields, resulting in a total of 211 dwellings over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 36 approvals have been registered. With an average of only 0.8 new residents added per year for each new dwelling completed between FY-21 and FY-25, residential construction is matching or exceeding demand, providing buyers with broader options and supporting population expansion that may outpace current projections, with new homes built at a mean value of $235,000—a figure below the regional norm—pointing to more budget-friendly housing choices. Additionally, commercial approvals registered at $69,000 this financial year, highlighting the predominantly residential character of the suburb.

In comparison to Greater Sydney, property development in Macquarie Fields is notably low, running 54.0% below the regional per capita average. This limited volume of new construction typically sustains demand and values for established properties. The level of activity is also below the national average, reflecting a mature market environment and potential development limits. The mix of new construction consists of 71.0% freestanding houses and 29.0% townhouses or units, maintaining the suburban profile of the area with a focus on detached homes that appeal to buyers seeking more space. With roughly 399 residents for every approval, Macquarie Fields demonstrates the characteristics of a mature market.

Long-term forecasts suggest Macquarie Fields will gain 530 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. At the current pace of construction, the supply of new housing is expected to comfortably satisfy demand, establishing favorable conditions for purchasers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current population estimates.

Macquarie Fields has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Local infrastructure projects, major works, and planning updates are key drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has tracked 16 projects that are expected to influence the local area. Notable projects include the Macquarie Fields Station Upgrade, the Macquarie Fields Precinct, the Macquarie Fields Indoor Sports Centre Floor Replacement, and the Traffic Light Upgrade at Atchison, Saywell and Parliament Roads, with details provided below for the most significant developments.

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

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The labour market performance in Macquarie Fields lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Macquarie Fields has a qualified workforce with strong representation in essential services, an unemployment rate of 9.8%, and estimated job growth of 6.0% over the last year. In March 2026, there were 6,469 employed residents, while the unemployment rate was 5.7% higher than the 4.1% recorded in Greater Sydney, indicating potential for labor market improvement, and the participation rate was lower at 62.7% compared to 69.1% for Greater Sydney. Census data indicates that a high proportion of residents, 26.9%, worked from home, though this figure may be influenced by pandemic-related lockdown measures.

Resident employment is heavily concentrated in retail trade, manufacturing, and health care & social assistance. The local workforce shows a distinct concentration in the manufacturing sector, which employs people at 1.8 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical services have a minor footprint, employing 6.3% of the workforce compared to 11.5% across the wider region. The comparison between the census working population and the resident population suggests that this predominantly residential suburb offers a limited number of local jobs.

AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that for the year ending March 2026, local employment grew by 6.0% and the labor force expanded by 7.8%, which led to a 1.6 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. This trend diverges from Greater Sydney, where employment increased by 1.9%, the labor force expanded by 1.9%, and unemployment declined slightly. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 provide context for future labor demand in Macquarie Fields. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, expansion rates vary widely across different industries. Applying these sector-specific forecasts to the employment distribution of Macquarie Fields suggests local employment will grow by 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, noting that this calculation is a basic weighted extrapolation for demonstration purposes and does not incorporate local population forecasts.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

According to the latest ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year, income levels in the Macquarie Fields SA2 are below the national average. The median taxpayer income in the Macquarie Fields SA2 is $50,995, with an average income of $55,852, compared to $60,817 and $83,003 in Greater Sydney. Applying a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year yields estimated current figures of approximately $56,258 for the median and $61,616 for the average as of March 2026. Census data shows household income is at the 26th percentile ($1,378 weekly), and individual income is at the 10th percentile. Regarding income brackets, 33.3% of the population, representing 4,877 people, earn between $1,500 and $2,999, which aligns with the regional average of 30.9% in this bracket. Housing affordability pressure is high, with only 78.9% of income remaining after housing costs, placing the area in the 20th percentile.

Macquarie Fields is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

At the time of the latest Census, the housing composition in Macquarie Fields consisted of 70.6% separate houses and 29.3% other home types (semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative dwellings), compared to 55.9% houses and 44.1% other home types across metropolitan Sydney. Home ownership rates in Macquarie Fields were lower than the Sydney metropolitan average, standing at 22.1%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (34.4%) or rented (43.6%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,800 was significantly below the metropolitan Sydney average of $2,427, and the median weekly rent of $340 was lower than the Sydney metropolitan average of $470. On a national level, mortgage payments in Macquarie Fields are below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are below the national average of $375.

Macquarie Fields has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Families make up the majority of households at 75.9%, which includes 38.3% couples with children, 16.6% couples without children, and 19.6% single parents. The remaining 24.1% consists of non-family households, with single person households accounting for 21.8% and group housing making up 2.2%. The median household size of 2.9 persons is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Educational outcomes in Macquarie Fields fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The region presents educational challenges, with the percentage of residents holding university qualifications (25.7%) falling well below the Greater Sydney average of 38.0%. This highlights a gap as well as an opportunity for targeted learning programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 16.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees (7.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational and technical training is common, with 30.1% of residents aged 15 and over possessing vocational qualifications, including advanced diplomas (9.3%) and certificates (20.8%).

Enrolment in education is quite high, with 34.2% of the population active in formal study. This student cohort includes 12.6% in primary school, 10.0% in high school, and 5.1% enrolled in higher education.

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

Analysis of the public transport network shows 120 active transit stops in Macquarie Fields, consisting of bus services. These stops support 33 routes that combine to offer 839 passenger services weekly. Transport accessibility is high, with the average distance from a home to the nearest stop measuring 139 meters. Because the area is mostly residential, many workers commute out of the suburb, and private vehicles remain the main transport mode at 75%, while 18% use trains. The average number of vehicles per household is 1.1. According to the 2021 Census, 26.9% of the workforce worked from home, a figure that may reflect pandemic-era travel restrictions.

The average service frequency is 119 daily trips across all active routes, which represents approximately 6 weekly services per stop. The map provided shows the locations of the 100 closest transit stops relative to the center of the suburb.

Health performance in Macquarie Fields is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality and chronic disease data, Macquarie Fields faces notable health challenges, with common ailments present across all demographics and showing higher prevalence in older age brackets, alongside a low rate of private health insurance coverage at roughly 48% of the population, or about 6,956 people. This compares to a private coverage rate of 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

Arthritis and asthma are the most common medical diagnoses in the locality, affecting 8.0% and 7.7% of the population, respectively, while 69.9% of residents reported having no long-term health conditions, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Residents of working age exhibit higher than average rates of chronic health issues. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 15.8% of the population, representing 2,306 people. Health outcomes for these older residents present challenges, though they rank more favorably on a national scale than the general local population.

Macquarie Fields is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Macquarie Fields exhibits a high level of cultural diversity, with 43.3% of the population born outside Australia and 47.1% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, represented by 43.9% of the population. The most prominent religious variance is Islam, which is practiced by 17.9% of residents, a proportion significantly higher than the Greater Sydney average of 6.8%.

Looking at ancestral backgrounds based on parents' birthplace, the three largest groups in Macquarie Fields are Other at 26.9% of the population, which is higher than the regional average of 16.0%, Australian at 18.0%, and English at 15.8%. There are also distinct differences in the representation of other backgrounds, with Samoan heritage significantly more common at 3.3% of the population compared to 0.5% regionally, Indian heritage at 6.7% compared to 3.6%, and Filipino heritage at 3.0% compared to 2.0%.

Macquarie Fields's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age of 36 years in Macquarie Fields is very close to the Greater Sydney average of 37 and slightly below the national median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, the suburb has a higher proportion of children aged 5 to 14 (15.2%) but a smaller share of young adults aged 25 to 34 (11.8%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 12.8% to 14.2% of the population, and the 75 to 84 bracket has increased from 4.3% to 5.6%. Meanwhile, the group aged 0 to 4 declined from 7.1% to 6.1%. Age structure modeling indicates that the demographic profile will change by 2041, with the 45 to 54 cohort projected to grow by 25%, adding 449 residents to reach a total of 2,258. Residents aged 65 and over are projected to account for 62% of all population growth, emphasizing the aging trend in the area, while the 25 to 34 and 35 to 44 cohorts are projected to decrease in size.