Port Macquarie - East
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Port Macquarie - East's population is approximately 11,913 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 149 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 11,764. The increase is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data of 11,821 in June 2024 and validated new addresses totaling 155 since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,680 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 73% to overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics anticipate an increase just below the median of non-metropolitan areas nationally, expecting a rise of 1,207 persons by 2041 based on current numbers, indicating a total increase of approximately 9.3% over 17 years.

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

Port Macquarie - East averaged approximately 39 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 197 homes. As of FY26 so far, 2 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, an average of 0.3 new residents per year arrived per new home, indicating that new supply has kept pace with or exceeded demand. This offers ample buyer choice and creates capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts.

The average construction value of new properties was $580,000, which is moderately above regional levels, suggesting an emphasis on quality construction. In FY26, $2.0 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating minimal commercial development activity compared to residential development. Relative to the Rest of NSW, Port Macquarie - East records markedly lower building activity, with 58.0% fewer approvals per person than the regional average. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties, reflecting the area's established nature. Recent construction comprises 38.0% detached dwellings and 62.0% attached dwellings, marking a significant shift from the current housing pattern of 55.0% houses. This skew toward compact living offers affordable entry pathways and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. The location has approximately 398 people per dwelling approval, reflecting an established area with future projections showing Port Macquarie - East adding 1,106 residents by 2041.

Present construction rates appear balanced with future demand, fostering steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.

Port Macquarie - East has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 10thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 11 projects that could impact this region. Notable ones include Ocean Estate Port Macquarie, Port Macquarie Aquatic Facility, Akoya Apartments, and Hastings Residences Port Macquarie. The following list details those expected to be most relevant.

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

The labour market in Port Macquarie - East demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Port Macquarie - East has an educated workforce with key services sectors well-represented. The unemployment rate was 3.1% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 0.6%.

As of June 2025, 6,382 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.5% below Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation was 59.5%, slightly higher than Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Leading industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and accommodation & food. Notably, health care & social assistance had employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average, while agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented at 0.7% compared to Rest of NSW's 5.3%.

Some residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. In the past year (Jul-24 to Jun-25), employment increased by 0.6% alongside labour force growth of 0.8%, raising unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. Meanwhile, Rest of NSW saw employment decline by 0.1% and labour force growth of 0.3%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-wide (NSW), employment contracted by 0.41% (-19,270 jobs) to Sep-25, with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.5%, and employment grew by 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's forecasts (May 2025) project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Port Macquarie - East's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.2% over five years and 14.7% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows income in Port Macquarie - East is below the national average. The median income is $46,603, and the average income stands at $61,152. In contrast, Rest of NSW has a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Port Macquarie - East would be approximately $51,543 (median) and $67,634 (average) as of March 2025. Census 2021 income data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Port Macquarie - East rank modestly, between the 28th and 41st percentiles. The predominant income cohort spans 28.3% of locals (3,371 people) in the $1,500 - $2,999 category, reflecting patterns seen in the broader area where 29.9% similarly occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.5% of income remaining, ranking at the 26th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Port Macquarie - East displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Port Macquarie - East's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 54.6% houses and 45.4% other dwellings including semi-detached properties, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This differs from Non-Metro NSW which had 75.9% houses and 24.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Port Macquarie - East was at 34.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 24.9% and rented dwellings at 41.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,753, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $350, lower than Non-Metro NSW's $375. Nationally, Port Macquarie - East's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863 and rents were also lower than the national figure of $375.

Port Macquarie - East features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 62.2% of all households, consisting of 21.6% couples with children, 28.8% couples without children, and 11.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 37.8%, with lone person households at 33.9% and group households comprising 3.9% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

Educational attainment in Port Macquarie - East aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Port Macquarie - East has a higher percentage of residents aged 15+ with university qualifications compared to broader regions. Specifically, 28.8% have such qualifications, while the SA4 region stands at 16.9% and the SA3 area at 19.8%. This educational advantage is driven by bachelor degrees (19.9%), postgraduate qualifications (5.9%), and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 37.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (25.4%).

Educational participation is high, with 27.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, broken down into primary (9.1%), secondary (7.6%), and tertiary (5.0%) levels. The area's five schools have a combined enrollment of 2,364 students, serving typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 998) with balanced educational opportunities. There are four primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups, with the area providing more school places per resident (19.8) than the regional average (14.2), indicating it serves as an educational center for the broader region.

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

Port Macquarie - East has 97 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These are served by a mix of buses along 100 individual routes. Together, these routes facilitate 1,285 weekly passenger trips.

The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents living an average of 147 meters from the nearest stop. Across all routes, service frequency averages 183 trips per day, which translates to approximately 13 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Port Macquarie - East is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Port Macquarie - East faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~5,956 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 9.6 and 9.4% of residents respectively. Conversely, 64.7% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, higher than the Rest of NSW average of 59.9%. The area has 23.9% of residents aged 65 and over (2,846 people), which is lower than the Rest of NSW average of 28.7%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Port Macquarie - East are above average, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

Port Macquarie - East ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Port Macquarie-East had low cultural diversity, with 84.7% born in Australia, 90.2% being citizens, and 94.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 51.4%, compared to 57.5% regionally. The top three ancestries were English (32.2%), Australian (28.0%), and Irish (10.8%).

Scottish ancestry was higher than average at 8.8%, French was 0.6%, and Australian Aboriginal was 3.0%.

Port Macquarie - East hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Port Macquarie - East has a median age of 46, which is higher than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and significantly higher than the national norm of 38. The 45-54 age group comprises 13.6%, compared to Rest of NSW, while the 15-24 cohort is less prevalent at 10.4%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 25-34 age group has increased from 9.8% to 11.7% of the population. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 15.1% to 13.2%. By 2041, Port Macquarie - East is expected to experience notable shifts in its age composition. The 25-34 group will grow by 33%, reaching 1,858 people from 1,397. Meanwhile, the 15-24 and 65-74 cohorts are projected to decline in population.