Macksville

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

As per ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation for the broader area, the estimated population of Macksville as of Feb 2026 is around 2,926. This figure reflects an increase of 144 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,782. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 2,877 residents following analysis of ABS' latest ERP data release in June 2024 and validation of 71 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 263 persons per square kilometer for Macksville. Over the past decade, ending Feb 2026, Macksville has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%, outpacing its SA3 area. Interstate migration contributed approximately 89.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch projections for Macksville are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024, using 2022 as the base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a 2021 base year. These projections indicate that Macksville is expected to grow by 275 persons to reach 3,201 by 2041, reflecting an increase of 7.7% over the 17-year period.

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 indicates Macksville has seen approximately 24 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 122 homes. As of FY-26, 5 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1 person has moved to the area per dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, suggesting that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand. The average value of new homes being built is $420,000, slightly above the regional average.

This financial year, $47.4 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Rest of NSW, Macksville has 56.0% more construction activity per person. New building activity comprises 75.0% standalone homes and 25.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's low density nature while also reflecting changing lifestyles and demand for diverse housing options. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 442 people. Macksville is expected to grow by 226 residents through to 2041, based on AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate.

Current development patterns suggest that new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.

Macksville has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 48thth percentile nationally

No changes can affect an area's performance more than modifications to local infrastructure, significant projects, and planning initiatives. Zero projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are predicted to impact the area. Notable projects include 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 specifying those most likely to be 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.

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

Macksville's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with essential services well represented. Its unemployment rate, as of December 2025, was 5.3%, according to AreaSearch's statistical area aggregation. In December 2025, 1,071 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.4% higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Macksville was significantly lower at 48.5%, compared to 61.3% regionally. Census data showed that only 7.5% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. The leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Macksville had a notable specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical services had limited presence at 2.9%, compared to 5.1% regionally. The predominantly residential area appeared to have limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the ratio of Census working population to resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, Macksville's labour force decreased by 1.1% and employment declined by 1.3%, leading to a rise in unemployment by 0.1 percentage points. This contrasted with Regional NSW, where employment fell by 1.2%, the labour force contracted by 0.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Macksville's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, though this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not consider localized population projections.

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

The suburb of Macksville had an income level lower than average nationally in financial year 2023, according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. The median income among taxpayers was $37,472 and the average income stood at $46,519, compared to Regional NSW's figures of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $40,792 (median) and $50,641 (average). According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Macksville fell between the 2nd and 4th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile showed that the largest segment comprised 32.7% earning $800 - $1,499 weekly (956 residents), differing from the surrounding region where the $1,500 - $2,999 category predominated at 29.9%. Economic circumstances indicated widespread financial pressure, with 40.3% of households operating within modest weekly budgets below $800. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 81.5% of income remaining, ranking at the 3rd percentile.

Macksville is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Macksville's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 91.1% houses and 8.8% other dwellings. Regionally, NSW had 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Macksville was 43.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.1% and rented ones at 30.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Macksville was $320, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Macksville's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,300 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 65.0% of all households, including 20.5% couples with children, 26.2% couples without children, and 16.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 35.0%, with lone person households at 31.6% and group households comprising 3.4%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 8.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Vocational credentials are held by 39.7% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 8.6% and certificates at 31.1%. Educational participation is high, with 26.3% currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.6% in primary, 7.6% in secondary, and 1.9% in tertiary education.

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

Macksville has 23 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are served by 50 routes providing 639 weekly passenger trips in total. The average distance to the nearest stop for residents is 265 meters, indicating good accessibility. Most residents commute outward from this primarily residential area. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 92%, with 6% walking. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 7.5% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages 91 trips per day, equating to approximately 27 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, as assessed by AreaSearch through mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Multiple health conditions affect both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at around 45% of Macksville's total population (approximately 1,328 people), compared to Regional NSW's 51.9% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 11.6% and 10.1% of residents respectively. However, 56.4% of Macksville residents report no medical ailments, compared to Regional NSW's 63.3%. Working-age population health challenges include high chronic condition rates. Macksville has 27.9% of residents aged 65 and over (816 people), higher than Regional NSW's 23.4%. Senior health outcomes present some challenges but align broadly with national rankings for 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, as per data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2016, exhibited below-average cultural diversity. It had a population where 90.7% were Australian citizens, 90.9% were born in Australia, and 95.4% spoke English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 60.0% of Macksville's population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian (33.5%), English (31.5%), and Irish (8.1%). Notably, certain ethnic groups had differing representations: Australian Aboriginal was overrepresented at 7.1% in Macksville versus the regional average of 4.6%, Maori at 0.4% compared to 0.3%, and Maltese at 0.3% compared to 0.4%.

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

Macksville's median age is 46, which is higher than Regional NSW's figure of 43 and significantly above the national average of 38. The 75-84 age group comprises 10.4% of Macksville's population, compared to Regional NSW, while the 45-54 cohort makes up 9.2%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 9.0% to 12.7%, while the 55 to 64 cohort has decreased from 13.9% to 11.6%, and the 25 to 34 group has fallen from 11.0% to 9.7%. By 2041, Macksville's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 45-54 group is projected to grow by 28%, reaching 344 people from the current 269. Meanwhile, the 15-24 and 55-64 cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.