Macksville

Macksville has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of November 2025, the estimated population for the Macksville statistical area (Lv2) is around 2,901, reflecting an increase of 119 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 4.3% change from the previous population count of 2,782. The latest resident population estimate by AreaSearch, following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024, is 2,877, combined with an additional 71 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 261 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Macksville has demonstrated a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%, outperforming the SA3 area. Interstate migration contributed approximately 89.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year are utilized. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the Macksville (SA2) is expected to grow by 270 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 8.6% over the 17-year period. This growth trend aligns with the median population increase for regional areas nationally.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Macksville had around 25 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 129 homes. By FY-26, 5 approvals have been recorded. The average population increase per dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25 was 0.9 people per year, indicating that new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand. The average value of new homes being built is $420,000, slightly above the regional average.

This financial year has seen $47.4 million in commercial approvals registered, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Rest of NSW, Macksville has 65.0% more construction activity per person. New building activity shows 73.0% standalone homes and 27.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's low density nature while indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles. The location has approximately 319 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. Macksville is expected to grow by 248 residents through to 2041, with current development patterns suggesting new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Looking ahead, Macksville is expected to grow by 248 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Macksville has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 49thth percentile nationally

No factors influence a region's performance more than alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. Zero projects have been pinpointed by AreaSearch that could potentially impact this area. Notable projects comprise Pacific Highway Upgrade: Hexham To Brisbane, Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, Corridor Preservation For East Coast High Speed Rail, and Queensland New South Wales Interconnector, with the following list outlining those most pertinent.

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 assessment indicates Macksville faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Macksville has a balanced workforce spanning various occupations, with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate is 5.3%.

Employment stability has been relative over the past year. As of September 2025, 1,085 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 6.8% (1.5% above Rest of NSW's rate). Workforce participation is lower at 43.2%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Leading industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training.

The area specialises in health care & social assistance, with employment share at 1.4 times the regional level. Professional & technical services have limited presence, at 2.9% compared to 5.1% regionally. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 0.2%, labour force by 0.1%, with unemployment remaining unchanged. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment fell by 0.5%, labour force contracted by 0.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National unemployment is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest Macksville's employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

Macksville's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2023 was $37,472. The average income stood at $46,519 during the same period. These figures are lower than those of Rest of NSW, which had a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215 in 2023. By September 2025, estimates suggest Macksville's median income will be approximately $40,792 and the average income will reach around $50,641, based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, household incomes in Macksville fell between the 2nd and 4th percentiles nationally. The largest segment of earners in Macksville comprised 32.7%, earning $800 - $1,499 weekly. This is unlike the surrounding region where the $1,500 - $2,999 category predominates at 29.9%. Financial pressure is evident in Macksville, with 40.3% of households operating on modest weekly budgets below $800. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.5% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

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

The dwelling structure in Macksville, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 91.1% houses and 8.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 88.8% houses and 11.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Macksville was at 43.9%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (26.1%) or rented (30.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Macksville was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,330 and significantly below the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure in Macksville was recorded at $320, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $300 and substantially below the national figure of $375.

Macksville features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 65.0% of all households, consisting of 20.5% couples with children, 26.2% couples without children, and 16.7% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 35.0%, with lone person households at 31.6% and group households comprising 3.4% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which matches the average for the Rest of NSW.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 11.5%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 8.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 39.7% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas (8.6%) and certificates (31.1%).

Educational participation is high, with 26.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.6% in primary education, 7.6% in secondary education, and 1.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Macksville has 24 active public transport stops. These include train and bus services. There are 50 different routes operating in total.

Each week, these routes provide 639 passenger trips. The average distance from residents to the nearest stop is 265 meters. Daily service frequency averages 91 trips across all routes. This equates to approximately 26 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Macksville is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Macksville faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Approximately 45% (~1,317 individuals) have private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.6%) and mental health issues (10.1%), while 56.4% report being free from medical ailments, compared to 58.0% in the rest of NSW. Macksville has 28.5% (826 people) of residents aged 65 and over, with seniors' health outcomes presenting challenges broadly similar to those of the general population.

Macksville is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Macksville's cultural diversity was found to be below average. Its population composition showed that 90.7% were citizens, 90.9% were born in Australia, and 95.4% spoke English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Macksville, with 60.0% of people identifying as such, compared to 54.2% across Rest of NSW.

The top three ancestry groups in Macksville were Australian (33.5%), English (31.5%), and Irish (8.1%). Notably, certain ethnic groups had different representations: Australian Aboriginal was overrepresented at 7.1% in Macksville compared to the regional average of 7.5%, Maori at 0.4% versus 0.2%, and Maltese at 0.3% against a regional figure of 0.4%.

Macksville hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Macksville's median age is 46, which is higher than Rest of NSW's figure of 43 and significantly above the national norm of 38. The 75-84 age group comprises 10.5%, compared to Rest of NSW, while the 45-54 cohort stands at 9.1%. Post-2021 Census data indicates the 35 to 44 age group grew from 9.0% to 12.1%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort declined from 13.9% to 12.2%, and the 25 to 34 group dropped from 11.0% to 9.7%. By 2041, Macksville's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 45 to 54 group is projected to grow by 31% (83 people), reaching 347 from 263. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 and 55 to 64 cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.