North Mackay
Statistical Area - sa2

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

North Mackay's population was around 6,418 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure reflects an increase of 135 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,283. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,414 in June 2024 and an additional 16 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 663 persons per square kilometer, indicating significant space per person and potential room for further development. Overseas migration primarily drove population growth, contributing approximately 76.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort, released in 2023 based on 2022 data. Looking ahead with demographic trends, a population increase just below Australia's regional areas median is expected. The area is projected to expand by 432 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 6.7% over the 17 years based on the latest population numbers.

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

North Mackay granted approval for approximately 9 residential properties each year over the past five financial years, totalling 47 homes. As of FY-26, 4 approvals have been recorded. An average of 6.6 people moved to the area annually per dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating demand significantly exceeds new supply. The average construction value of new properties was $341,000, aligning with regional trends.

This financial year has seen $2.0 million in commercial approvals, suggesting minimal commercial development activity compared to the rest of Queensland, where North Mackay shows reduced construction levels at 59.0% below the regional average per person. The limited new supply supports stronger demand and values for established properties. New developments consist of 50.0% detached houses and 50.0% attached dwellings, marking a departure from existing housing patterns (currently 76.0% houses), potentially due to diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences. The area had an estimated 712 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet development environment. Population forecasts indicate North Mackay will gain 428 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Population forecasts indicate North Mackay will gain 428 residents through to 2041. Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

North Mackay has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 37thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 13 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Mackay Port Access Stage 1, The Dunes Harbour Beach, Mackay Port Access Bruce Highway to Mackay Slade Point Road Stage 1, and Mackay Base Hospital Expansion. Below is a list of most relevant projects.

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 North Mackay exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

North Mackay has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominent manufacturing and industrial sectors, an unemployment rate of 3.3%, and an employment growth of 3.1% over the past year as of June 2025. There are 3,285 residents in work, with an unemployment rate of 0.6% lower than Rest of Qld's 3.9%.

Workforce participation is comparable to Rest of Qld at 59.1%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and mining, with a particular specialization in mining employing 2.5 times the regional level compared to agriculture, forestry & fishing which employs just 0.7% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 3.1%, labour force decreased by 0.3%, causing a fall in unemployment rate by 3.2 percentage points.

In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.8%, labour force grow by 2.0%, and unemployment rise by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industries. Applying these projections to North Mackay's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.0%% over five years and 12.9% over ten years.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 30, 2022, North Mackay had a median income among taxpayers of $54,462 with the average level standing at $68,097. This is higher than national averages of $50,780 and $64,844 across Rest of Qld respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth rate of 13.99% from financial year ended June 30, 2022 to September 2025, estimated median income is approximately $62,081 and average income is around $77,624 as of September 2025. According to Census data, personal income ranks at the 46th percentile with weekly earnings of $785, while household income sits at the 26th percentile. Income distribution shows that 30.3% of North Mackay residents (1,944 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 earnings band, similar to broader regional trends where 31.7% are in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 83.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 26th percentile.

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

North Mackay's dwellings, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 75.9% houses and 24.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Qld's 85.1% houses and 14.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in North Mackay was at 28.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.6% and rented ones at 39.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,452, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure was $300, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $340. Nationally, North Mackay's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,452 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

North Mackay features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 61.9% of all households, including 21.4% couples with children, 25.3% couples without children, and 13.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 38.1%, with lone person households at 34.2% and group households comprising 4.0%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.6.

North Mackay faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 15.4%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 11.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are held by 41.6% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 8.1% and certificates at 33.5%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 10.1% in primary, 8.5% in secondary, and 3.2% in tertiary education. North Mackay operates six schools educating approximately 3,499 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 968) and balanced educational opportunities. The schools include four primary, one secondary, and one K-12 school. As an education hub, the area has 54.5 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 17.1, attracting students from surrounding communities. Note: for schools with 'n/a' enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

The analysis of public transport in North Mackay shows that there are currently 25 active transport stops operating. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 5 individual routes providing service to the area. The combined weekly passenger trips across these routes amount to 346.

Residents have good access to transport, with an average distance of 252 meters to the nearest stop. The service frequency is 49 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 13 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in North Mackay is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data indicates significant health challenges in North Mackay, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 53% (~3,427 people) have private health cover, compared to 57.0% in the rest of Queensland.

The most frequent medical conditions are arthritis (9.6%) and mental health issues (9.2%), while 63.0% report no medical ailments, compared to 69.7% in the rest of Queensland. North Mackay has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 19.8% (1,272 people), compared to 16.2% in the rest of Queensland. Senior health outcomes face some challenges, generally aligning with the overall population's health profile.

North Mackay ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

North Mackay's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 86.6% of its population being citizens born in Australia who speak English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 55.9% of North Mackay's population compared to 56.8% across the rest of Queensland. The top three ancestry groups were English (29.8%), Australian (26.2%), and Scottish (8.5%).

Notably, Maltese (1.8%) was overrepresented compared to regional levels (2.4%), as were German (4.6%) and Australian Aboriginal (4.4%) populations.

North Mackay's population is slightly older than the national pattern

North Mackay has a median age of 40, close to Rest of Qld's figure of 41 but slightly exceeding the national norm of 38. The 25-34 age group is strongly represented at 16.9%, compared to Rest of Qld, while the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 9.2%. Post the 2021 Census, the 25-34 age group grew from 14.4% to 16.9%, and the 5-14 cohort declined from 11.4% to 9.2%. The 45-54 group also decreased from 12.2% to 10.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling indicates North Mackay's age profile will significantly evolve. Leading this shift, the 25-34 group is projected to grow by 27%, reaching 1,376 people from 1,083. Meanwhile, population declines are forecast for the 5-14 and 55-64 cohorts.