North Mackay

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 is approximately 6,418 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 135 people, a rise of 2.1% 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 results in a population density ratio of 663 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed approximately 76.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. These state projections do not provide age category splits; therefore, 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. Based on demographic trends and latest annual ERP population numbers, North Mackay is expected to increase by 432 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 6.7% over the 17 years.

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

North Mackay has granted around 9 residential approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 47 homes. In FY26 so far, 4 approvals have been recorded. On average, 6.6 people have moved to the area per dwelling built each year between FY21 and FY25. This demand significantly exceeds new supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $341,000, aligning with regional trends. In FY26, there have been $2.0 million in commercial approvals, indicating minimal commercial development activity compared to the rest of Queensland. North Mackay shows substantially reduced construction (59.0% below regional average per person), which generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. This activity is also under the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. New development consists of 50.0% detached houses and 50.0% attached dwellings, marking a significant departure from existing housing patterns (currently 76.0% houses). The estimated population per dwelling approval is 712 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate North Mackay will gain 428 residents by 2041.

Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

North Mackay has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

The impact of local infrastructure changes on an area's performance is significant. AreaSearch has identified a total of 13 projects likely to affect the area. Notable 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. The following list details those most relevant:.

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.

North Mackay has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

North Mackay has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, strong in manufacturing and industry. Its unemployment rate is 4.6%, with an estimated employment growth of 4.7% over the past year.

As of September 2025, 3,299 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.1% above Rest of Qld's rate. Workforce participation matches Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and mining, with mining being particularly specialized at 2.5 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing employ just 0.7% locally, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%.

Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 4.7%, labour force by 4.3%, reducing unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows Queensland employment contracted by 0.01% with a state unemployment rate of 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but specific industry projections suggest North Mackay's employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.9% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022 shows North Mackay SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $54,462 and an average level of $68,097. This is higher than the national average and compares to levels of $50,780 and $64,844 across Rest of Qld respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $62,081 (median) and $77,624 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals personal income ranks at the 46th percentile ($785 weekly), while household income sits at the 25th percentile. Distribution data shows the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 30.3% of the community (1,944 individuals). Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.6% of income remaining, 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 dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 75.9% houses and 24.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 85.1% houses and 14.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in North Mackay was at 28.9%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (31.6%) or rented (39.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,452, below Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,733 and the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure was $300, lower than Non-Metro Qld's $340 and 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 comprise 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 account for 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 has university qualification rates of 15.4%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 11.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 41.6% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (8.1%) and certificates (33.5%).

Educational participation is high, with 27.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.1% in primary education, 8.5% in secondary education, and 3.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 25 active stops in North Mackay serving buses. Five routes operate here, offering 346 weekly passenger trips combined. Residents' average distance to the nearest stop is 252 meters, indicating good accessibility.

Daily service averages 49 trips across all routes, equating to about 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, affecting both younger and older age groups. Approximately 53% (~3427 people) have private health cover, compared to 57.0% across the rest of Queensland.

The most prevalent conditions are arthritis (9.6%) and mental health issues (9.2%). About 63.0% report being free from medical ailments, lower than the 69.7% in the rest of Queensland. North Mackay has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over, at 19.8% (1272 people), compared to 16.2% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges broadly in line with the general 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 had a cultural diversity index below average, with 86.6% citizens, 86.7% born in Australia, and 93.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 55.9%. This compares to 56.8% across Rest of Qld.

Top three ancestry groups were English (29.8%), Australian (26.2%), and Scottish (8.5%). Notably, Maltese representation was higher at 1.8%, compared to the regional average of 2.4%. German representation was also slightly higher at 4.6% versus 4.7%. Filipino representation was notably higher at 1.9% compared to the regional average of 1.5%.

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

North Mackay's median age is 40, close to Rest of Qld's figure of 41 but higher than the national norm of 38. The 25-34 age group makes up 16.9%, compared to Rest of Qld, while the 5-14 cohort comprises 9.2%. Post-2021 Census, the 25-34 group grew from 14.4% to 16.9%, the 5-14 cohort declined from 11.4% to 9.2%, and the 45-54 group decreased from 12.2% to 10.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling predicts significant changes in North Mackay's age profile. The 25-34 group is projected to grow by 27% (292 people), reaching 1,376 from 1,083. Meanwhile, population declines are forecast for the 5-14 and 55-64 cohorts.