South Mackay

South Mackay has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

South Mackay's population was approximately 7,190 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents an increase of 272 people, a 3.9% rise from the 6,918 recorded in the 2021 Census. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates and two validated new addresses since the census date. South Mackay's population density was around 1,043 persons per square kilometer as of June 2024, comparable to averages observed across other locations assessed by AreaSearch. Between 2021 and 2025, South Mackay's growth rate of 3.9% was close to the SA3 area's 6.8%, indicating strong growth fundamentals. Natural growth contributed approximately 52.2% of overall population gains during this period.

AreaSearch uses 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 from 2023, based on 2021 data, are adopted. However, these state projections lack age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023, using 2022 data for each age cohort. Looking ahead, demographic trends suggest a decline in overall population by 380 persons by 2041, but specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 25 to 34 age group, projected to increase by 233 people.

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

South Mackay experienced very limited development activity averaging two approvals per year from 2016 to 2020, resulting in a total of ten dwellings over the five-year period. This low level of development is characteristic of rural areas where housing needs are modest and construction activity is naturally limited by local demand and infrastructure capacity. It should be noted that due to the small number of approvals, individual development projects can significantly impact annual growth and relativity statistics in South Mackay.

In comparison, Rest of Qld showed significantly more construction activity during this period. The development pattern in South Mackay was also well below national averages. All new constructions in South Mackay from 2016 to 2020 were comprised of detached houses, reflecting the area's rural character where larger properties and space are typical. Notably, developers constructed a higher proportion of detached housing than the existing pattern implied at Census (73.0%), indicating persistent strong demand for family homes amid densification trends.

Given stable or declining population forecasts, South Mackay may experience less housing pressure in the future, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

South Mackay has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. Eight projects identified by AreaSearch may impact the area. Notable ones are Milton Precinct, Mackay Airport Expansion, Mackay Base Hospital Expansion, and Great Barrier Reef Arena Redevelopment. The following details these projects in order of likely relevance.

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

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AreaSearch analysis indicates South Mackay maintains employment conditions that align with national benchmarks

South Mackay has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent. The unemployment rate was 3.9% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 4.1%.

As of September 2025, 3835 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.7%, slightly below Rest of Qld's 4.1%. Workforce participation was similar to Rest of Qld at 65.7%. Only 3.8% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 impacts may have influenced this figure. The dominant employment sectors in South Mackay are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.

Notably, mining employs 2.3 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employ only 0.8% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 4.1%, while labour force grew by 4.5%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment rise by 1.7%, labour force grow by 2.1%, and unemployment increase by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to South Mackay's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by approximately 5.9% over five years and 12.8% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 indicates that South Mackay SA2 has incomes above the national average. The median income is $57,592 and the average income stands at $71,227. This contrasts with Rest of Qld's figures of a median income of $53,146 and an average income of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year ending June 2023, current estimates would be approximately $63,299 (median) and $78,286 (average) as of September 2025. Census data from 2021 shows household, family and personal incomes in South Mackay rank modestly, between the 34th and 47th percentiles. The $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket dominates with 34.1% of residents (2,451 people), consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 31.7% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 35th percentile.

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

South Mackay's dwellings, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 73.4% houses and 26.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is compared to Non-Metro Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in South Mackay stood at 27.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.9% and rented ones at 39.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure in South Mackay was $290, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, South Mackay's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,500 than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 62.7% of all households, including 23.1% couples with children, 24.6% couples without children, and 13.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 37.3%, with lone person households at 34.0% and group households making up 3.4%. The median household size is 2.3 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 13.8%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This discrepancy presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 42.3% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (7.7%) and certificates (34.6%).

Educational participation is high, with 27.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.6% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 3.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

South Mackay has 25 operational public transport stops, all serving bus routes. These stops are covered by four different routes, offering a total of 222 weekly passenger trips. Residents' proximity to transport is considered good, with an average distance of 246 meters to the nearest stop. The area is predominantly residential, with most commuters traveling outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transport, used by 92% of residents. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling, below the regional norm.

Only 3.8% of residents work from home (as recorded in the 2021 Census, potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions). The service frequency averages 31 trips per day across all routes, equating to roughly eight weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in South Mackay 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

South Mackay's health indicators show below-average outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment, with mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence higher than the national average among older cohorts.

The level of common health conditions among the general population is somewhat typical but higher than the nation's average. Approximately 54% (~3,889 people) have private health cover, which is relatively high. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 8.5% each of residents. About 66.6% claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across the Rest of Qld. Working-age residents have an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 18.7% (1,343 people) of residents aged 65 and over, lower than the 20.0% in the Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than those of the broader population.

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

South Mackay's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 85.0% of its population being Australian citizens, 83.9% born in Australia, and 90.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in South Mackay, comprising 59.9% of people, compared to 52.2% across the rest of Queensland. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (27.5%), English (27.3%), and Irish (8.4%).

Notably, Filipino representation was higher at 4.3%, compared to 0.9% regionally, Maltese at 1.4% versus 0.4%, and New Zealand at 0.9%.

South Mackay's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in South Mackay is 39 years, which is lower than the Rest of Qld average of 41 but close to the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 25-34 are particularly prominent, making up 15.8% of the population, while those aged 45-54 make up a comparatively smaller proportion at 10.7%. Between 2021 and now, the 25-34 age group has grown from 13.7% to 15.8%, while the 45-54 cohort has declined from 12.4% to 10.7%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate that the 25-34 age cohort is expected to increase by 167 people (15%), from 1,136 to 1,304. Conversely, both the 65-74 and 35-44 age groups are projected to decrease in numbers.