Macquarie Fields

Macquarie Fields is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Macquarie Fields's population is around 14,555 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 357 people (2.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,198 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 14,477 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 74 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 1,613 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which contributed approximately 59.2% 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. As we examine future population trends, lower quartile growth of Australian statistical areas is anticipated, with the area expected to grow by 632 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 3.8% in total over the 17 years.

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

Macquarie Fields has experienced around 42 dwellings receiving development approval per year, totalling 211 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 26 approvals have been recorded. With an average of only 0.1 people per year moving to the area for each dwelling built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), supply is meeting or surpassing demand, providing greater buyer choice while supporting potential for population growth above projections, while new properties are constructed at an average value of $235,000—below regional norms—reflecting more affordable housing options for purchasers. Additionally, $69,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, demonstrating the area's residential nature.

When measured against Greater Sydney, Macquarie Fields has significantly less development activity (55.0% below regional average per person). This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings. This is likewise lower than nationally, reflecting market maturity and pointing to possible development constraints. New development consists of 71.0% detached houses and 29.0% townhouses or apartments, sustaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. With around 397 people per dwelling approval, Macquarie Fields shows a developed market.

Looking ahead, Macquarie Fields is expected to grow by 554 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

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

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 16 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include the Macquarie Fields Station Upgrade, Macquarie Fields Precinct, Macquarie Fields Indoor Sports Centre Floor Replacement, and the Atchison, Saywell and Parliament Roads Traffic Light Upgrade, 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.

AreaSearch assessment indicates Macquarie Fields faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Macquarie Fields features a skilled workforce, with essential services sectors well represented, an unemployment rate of 9.3%, and 6.4% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 6,388 residents are in work, while the unemployment rate is 5.1% above Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%, showing room for improvement, and workforce participation lags significantly (62.1% compared to Greater Sydney's 70.2%). Based on Census responses, a high 26.9% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. The area has a particular employment specialization in manufacturing, with an employment share of 1.8 times the regional level. Conversely, professional & technical services show lower representation at 6.3% versus the regional average of 11.5%. The predominantly residential 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, during the year to December 2025, employment levels increased by 6.4% and the labour force increased by 7.1%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.2% and labour force growth of 2.3%, with a marginal rise. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Macquarie Fields. 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 Macquarie Fields's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

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

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-23, the Macquarie Fields SA2's median income among taxpayers is $50,995, with an average of $55,852. This is below the national average, and compares to Greater Sydney's median of $60,817 and average of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $55,513 (median) and $60,800 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household income ranks at the 26th percentile ($1,378 weekly), while personal income sits at the 10th percentile. Distribution data shows the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 33.3% of the community (4,846 individuals), mirroring regional levels where 30.9% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 78.9% of income remaining, ranking at the 20th percentile.

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

Dwelling structure within Macquarie Fields, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 70.6% houses and 29.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Sydney metro's 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Macquarie Fields lagged that of Sydney metro, at 22.1%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (34.4%) or rented (43.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well below the Sydney metro average at $1,800, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $340, compared to Sydney metro's $2,427 and $470. Nationally, Macquarie Fields's mortgage repayments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are less than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households dominate at 75.9% of all households, comprising 38.3% couples with children, 16.6% couples without children, and 19.6% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 24.1%, with lone person households at 21.8% and group households comprising 2.2% of the total. The median household size of 2.9 people 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 area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates (25.7%) substantially below the Greater Sydney average of 38.0%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 16.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.7%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 30.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (9.3%) and certificates (20.8%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 34.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.6% in primary education, 10.0% in secondary education, and 5.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 120 active transport stops operating within Macquarie Fields, comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 33 individual routes, collectively providing 839 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 139 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 75%, with 18% by train. Vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling. A high 26.9% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 119 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 6 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location centrepoint.

Health outcomes in Macquarie Fields are marginally below the national average with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Health indicators suggest below-average outcomes in Macquarie Fields, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The level of common health conditions among the general population is somewhat typical, though higher than the national average among older cohorts. The rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 48% of the total population (~6,913 people), compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 8.0% and 7.7% of residents, respectively, while 69.9% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Working-age residents show an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 15.9% of residents aged 65 and over (2,318 people). Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, though they rank lower nationally than the broader 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 scores highly on cultural diversity, with 43.3% of its population born overseas and 47.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The main religion in Macquarie Fields is Christianity, which makes up 43.9% of the people. However, the most apparent overrepresentation is in Islam, which comprises 17.9% of the population, substantially higher than the Greater Sydney average of 6.8%.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Macquarie Fields are Other, comprising 26.9% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 16.0%, Australian, comprising 18.0% of the population, and English, comprising 15.8% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Samoan is notably overrepresented at 3.3% of Macquarie Fields (vs 0.5% regionally), Indian at 6.7% (vs 3.6%) and Filipino at 3.0% (vs 2.0%).

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

At 36 years, Macquarie Fields's median age is nearly matching the Greater Sydney average of 37 and is similarly modestly under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Greater Sydney, Macquarie Fields has a higher concentration of 5 - 14 residents (15.4%) but fewer 25 - 34 year-olds (11.4%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 12.8% to 14.4% of the population, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 4.3% to 5.7%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort has declined from 12.8% to 11.4% and the 35 to 44 group dropped from 14.7% to 13.6%. Demographic modeling suggests Macquarie Fields's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 45 to 54 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 25%, adding 447 residents to reach 2,214. Senior residents (65+) will drive 62% of population growth, underscoring demographic aging trends. On the other hand, the 35 to 44 and 0 to 4 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.