West Mackay

West 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

West Mackay's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, is 6,504 as of November 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 140 people from the 2021 Census total of 6,364, indicating a growth rate of 2.2%. The change was inferred using the estimated resident population of 6,504 from the ABS as of June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,123 persons per square kilometer, which aligns with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 83.2% 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 and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections lack age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings using ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. Considering projected demographic shifts, West Mackay is expected to increase by 473 persons to reach a total of 6,977 by 2041. This reflects an overall increase of approximately 7.3% over the 17-year period, based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

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

West Mackay averaged approximately 9 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 48 homes. As of FY26, 4 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.2 new residents per year were associated with each home built between FY21 and FY25, indicating demand significantly outstripping supply. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $292,000, below regional norms, suggesting more affordable housing options for purchasers.

This financial year has seen $23.5 million in commercial approvals, reflecting moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the Rest of Qld, West Mackay has significantly less development activity, at 60.0% below the regional average per person. The scarcity of new dwellings typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties, with this area also under the national average, indicating its established nature and potential planning limitations. New building activity comprises 57.0% standalone homes and 43.0% attached dwellings, showing an increasing blend of attached housing types to cater to diverse price ranges. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition, currently at 78.0% houses. With around 1350 people per dwelling approval, West Mackay reflects a highly mature market.

Future projections estimate West Mackay will add 473 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Should current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 12 projects likely impacting the region. Major initiatives include Mackay Base Hospital Expansion, Milton Precinct, Mackay State Development Area, and Mackay Airport Expansion. The following details projects expected to have the 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 analysis reveals West Mackay significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

West Mackay has a skilled labor force with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 2.8% as of September 2025. This rate is 1.3 percentage points lower than the Rest of Queensland's rate of 4.1%.

The area experienced employment growth of 4.7% over the past year, with 3,499 residents employed at that time. Workforce participation in West Mackay was on par with the Rest of Queensland's 65.7%. According to Census responses, only 4.6% of residents worked from home, although Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, mining, and education & training sectors.

Notably, mining employment levels are at 2.8 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing show lower representation at 1.1% compared to the regional average of 4.5%. The area has a ratio of 0.7 workers per resident, indicating above-normal local employment opportunities. Over the past year, ending September 2025, employment increased by 4.7%, while the labor force grew by 4.3%, leading to a decrease in unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of Queensland saw employment grow by 1.7%, labor force expand by 2.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to West Mackay's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by approximately 6.2% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, West Mackay SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $61,305. The average income stood at $75,820. This was above the national average and compared to levels of $53,146 and $66,593 across Rest of Qld respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $67,380 (median) and $83,334 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in West Mackay cluster around the 51st percentile nationally. Income analysis reveals that 32.2% of the population, which is 2,094 individuals, fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, mirroring the region where 31.7% occupy this bracket. After housing, 85.9% of income remains for other expenses.

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

In West Mackay, as per the latest Census evaluation, 77.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 22.4% consisting of semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is similar to Non-Metro Qld's dwelling structure, which was 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in West Mackay stood at 30.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.1% and rented ones at 35.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,587, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure in West Mackay was $320, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, West Mackay's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 62.8% of all households, including 25.2% couples with children, 26.8% couples without children, and 10.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 37.2%, with lone person households at 32.8% and group households comprising 4.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.5.

West Mackay shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

West Mackay has a higher proportion of residents aged 15+ with university degrees (20.9%) compared to the national average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification, held by 16.1% of residents. Postgraduate qualifications and graduate diplomas are less prevalent, at 3.0% and 1.8% respectively. Vocational credentials are prominent in West Mackay, with 39.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them.

Advanced diplomas account for 8.5%, while certificates make up the majority at 31.0%. Educational participation is high, with 28.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. Primary education enrollment stands at 10.4%, secondary education at 8.2%, and tertiary education at 4.6%.

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

Public transport analysis indicates 19 active transport stops operating within West Mackay. These are serviced by 4 individual routes, collectively providing 240 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 240 meters from the nearest stop. As of the 2021 Census, most residents commute outward. The dominant mode of transport is car at 91%, with 4% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling, below the regional average.

Only 4.6% of residents work from home. Service frequency averages 34 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 12 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

West Mackay faces significant health challenges, as assessed by AreaSearch using mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Notably, common health conditions are prevalent across both younger and older age groups.

Private health cover is high, with approximately 57% of the total population (~3,681 people) having it, compared to 52.5% in the rest of Queensland. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 8.5% of residents) and mental health issues (8.4%). Conversely, 66.9% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% in the rest of Queensland. Health outcomes among working-age individuals are generally typical. The area has 20.5% of residents aged 65 and over (1,333 people). While health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, they align with national rankings for the general population.

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

West Mackay had a cultural diversity level below average, with 84.4% of its population being citizens born in Australia who spoke English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, making up 63.8%, compared to 52.2% across the rest of Queensland. The top three ancestry groups were English (28.1%), Australian (27.4%), and Irish (8.9%).

Notably, Maltese (3.0%) Filipino (3.6%) and German (4.1%) ethnicities were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.4%, 0.9% and 4.7% respectively.

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

The median age in West Mackay is 41 years, matching Rest of Qld's average but slightly older than Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of Qld, West Mackay has a higher proportion of residents aged 85 and above (3.8%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 years (10.5%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 15-24 increased from 11.2% to 12.7%, while the 25-34 age group rose from 12.4% to 13.5%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group decreased from 13.3% to 11.6%, and the 5-14 age group dropped from 11.7% to 10.5%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in West Mackay's age structure. Notably, the 25-34 age group is expected to grow by 26% (227 people), reaching 1,107 from 879. Conversely, the 55-64 and 5-14 age cohorts are projected to experience population declines.