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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Marian has an estimated 4,387 residents, up from 4,224 at the 2021 Census — a change of 163 people, or 3.9%. Growth has averaged 0.7% a year over five years. Density is about 53 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Drawing from ABS population statistics for the surrounding region alongside new addresses verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the resident count of the suburb of Marian is calculated to be approximately 4,387 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 163 people (3.9%) relative to the 2021 Census, which recorded 4,224 residents. This calculation stems from an estimated population of 4,363, determined by AreaSearch using the ABS June 2025 ERP data release, combined with an additional 9 validated new addresses registered after the Census. The suburb of Marian has a population density of 53 persons per square kilometer, which indicates residents have plenty of space.
Over the last ten years, the suburb of Marian has shown steady expansion with a 1.1% compound annual growth rate, exceeding the broader SA3. The local population gains were mostly driven by natural increase, which accounted for roughly 63.0% of the growth during recent times, though all other components including migration from interstate and overseas remained positive contributors. AreaSearch utilizes the 2024 population projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 zones, using 2022 as the base year. In instances where these figures are unavailable, or for periods past the year 2032, projections from the Queensland Government published in 2023 and based on 2021 numbers are substituted. Because the Queensland state projections omit detailed age groups, AreaSearch scales the cohorts proportionally using the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region projections (which use 2022 data). Demographic models point to above-average growth for non-metropolitan areas, and the suburb of Marian is projected to increase its resident count by 787 persons by 2041 using combined SA2 projections, representing a total expansion of 17.4% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Property development in the suburb of Marian is minimal, with only 3 new homes approved each year, amounting to 17 over the last five years. Such low construction volumes are typical in rural locations where housing needs remain small and development is restricted by local demand and infrastructure capacity. The small volume of activity means that a single building project can notably change the annual statistics and comparative figures. The suburb of Marian has a developer track record that is significantly below the rest of Queensland, and this rate of construction also tracks well below national averages.
Additionally, building approvals have consisted entirely of standalone houses, preserving the local low-density character and focus on space. The ratio of 2180 residents in the suburb of Marian for each single dwelling approval emphasizes the quiet nature of local construction activity. Long-term forecasts suggest the suburb of Marian will add 763 residents by 2041, looking at the latest quarterly figures from AreaSearch. If building activity remains at its current low level, the supply of homes could fall behind population growth, potentially heightening competition among buyers and supporting price growth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Marian
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 5 current infrastructure and development projects inside Marian, worth an estimated $14.3 billion. A further 48 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $17.2 billion. 21 are already under construction and 18 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and sports & recreation. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, major works, and urban planning changes have a significant effect on regional performance. AreaSearch has identified 5 projects that are expected to influence the local area. Key projects include the Nabilla Meadows Estate, safety upgrades on the Peak Downs Highway between Mackay and Eton, the Marian Reservoir Upgrade, and the Nell Baker Park Upgrade, with the most relevant details provided below.
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Nabilla Meadows Estate
Master-planned residential estate in Marian, 20 minutes from Mackay's CBD, developed by Pointglen Developments. The community is being delivered in stages and will grow to more than 600 allotments including public open space and landscaped swales, with Stage 7 lots now selling. Queensland Government Residential Activation Fund support of 8.01 million dollars is enabling a new regional sewer pump station, culvert upgrades, and stormwater infrastructure to unlock further residential growth in Marian. Family-sized flat lots are offered close to Marian Town Centre with house and land packages available.
Peak Downs Highway Safety Upgrades (Mackay to Eton)
Safety upgrades including widening, removing roadside hazards, town entry treatments, and line-marking to improve road safety on the Peak Downs Highway.
Marian Reservoir Upgrade
Upgrade of Marian No. 1 ground-level reservoir to improve capacity and reliability, avoiding the need for a new reservoir and enhancing local water security.
Nell Baker Park Upgrade
Upgrade of local park in Marian delivering new modern play equipment with shade structure, picnic table and bubbler, while retaining the half basketball court; project is complete and open to the public.
Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro
The project involves the development of a pumped hydro energy storage scheme with generation capacity options up to 5,000 MW and 120,000 MWh storage to support Queensland's transition to renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide reliable electricity. Note: The project was cancelled in November 2024.
West Mirani Sewage Pump Stations Upgrade
Upgrades to three sewage pump stations and associated trunk water main infrastructure in West Mirani. The project is funded through the Queensland Government Residential Activation Fund to unlock capacity for future residential growth in the Pioneer Valley area.
Riverbend Estate
Masterplanned residential community in Mirani, Mackay, consisting of 210 new homesites ranging from 776m2 to 940m2. The project received a $3.4 million grant from the Queensland Government's Residential Activation Fund for critical trunk infrastructure including external roadworks, intersections, a stormwater basin, and sewer network.
Glenrowan Estate
A community-focused residential estate in Walkerston, Queensland, offering 180 new homes. It features expansive open green spaces, a park, and a playground. The estate is designed for families, offering relaxed living close to city conveniences on a total area of 21.90 hectares.
2,426 residents of Marian are employed, from a labour force of 2,458. Unemployment sits at 1.3%, with participation at 75.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,251, about 74% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Marian exhibits a diverse labor force encompassing both white collar and blue collar occupations, with manufacturing and industrial fields being particularly prominent. The area recorded an unemployment rate of only 1.3%, alongside an estimated employment growth of 4.9% during the previous year, according to AreaSearch's compilation of statistical area information. By March 2026, the local population employed amounted to 2,426 individuals, while the unemployment rate stood at 2.6% which is lower than the Regional Qld rate of 3.9%. The workforce participation rate in Marian reached 75.6%, significantly exceeding the Regional Qld average of 64.3%.
Census data indicated that merely 6.9% of residents engaged in remote work, although the lingering effects of Covid-19 lockdown measures should be taken into account when interpreting these figures. Local workers are primarily employed in mining, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The job market has a high concentration of mining workers, with the share of employment in this industry reaching 5.1 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for only 11.1% of the workforce, which is below the Regional Qld average of 16.1%. The comparison between the number of local jobs and working residents suggests that options inside the local area are limited. Based on AreaSearch calculations of SALM and ABS statistics for the wider region, the past 12 months saw local employment grow by 4.9% while the labor force expanded by 5.2%, leading to a 0.3 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. Over the same period in Regional Qld, employment rose by 0.1%, the labor force expanded by 0.3%, and unemployment went up by 0.1 percentage points. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of May-25 provide a broader view of employment trends. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future growth. While national employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates vary by industry. Applying these national trends to the local industry mix suggests employment among residents could rise by 5.3% over five years and 12.0% over ten years, though this is a simple weighted projection that does not factor in local population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Marian is $2,392 a week (about $124,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,006 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $71,473 a year against an average of $86,063. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to the ATO postcode data compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 tax year, taxpayers in this area earn a median income of $71,473 and an average income of $86,063. These figures are very high on a national scale, comparing to a median of $53,146 and an average of $66,593 across Regional Qld. Factoring in a 11.36% increase in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year, current estimated values would be around $79,592 for the median and $95,840 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual incomes are all high, placing in the 79th to 87th national percentiles.
Income distribution data shows that 35.6% of residents (1,561 individuals) earn between $1,500 and $2,999 per week, which is similar to the 31.7% recorded across the broader region. High income earners are prominent, with 36.9% of individuals earning more than $3,000 weekly, indicating strong local spending power. Housing costs consume 14.3% of income, and these high earnings place residents in the 88th percentile for disposable income, with the SEIFA index for income ranking in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Marian had 1,311 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 99% detached houses and 0% apartments. 60% are owned with a mortgage, 18% rented and 22% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $400 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,941 a month, a total housing cost higher than 79% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 16.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 18.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential property types in the suburb of Marian at the time of the latest Census consisted of 99.0% separate houses and 1.0% alternative dwellings like townhouses and apartments, compared to Regional Qld where separate houses made up 76.4% and other options accounted for 23.6%. Home ownership rates lagged the regional average, sitting at 21.9%, with the remaining properties occupied by people with mortgages (59.8%) or renters (18.3%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,941, which was higher than the Regional Qld average of $1,655, while the median weekly rent was $400, compared to $345 in Regional Qld.
Nationally, local mortgage payments exceed the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are also above the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Marian counted 1,311 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 3.0 people each. 48% are couples with children, more than in 93% of areas nationally, against 29% couples without children. 11% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the vast majority of households at 87.1%, consisting of couples with children at 48.0%, couples without children at 28.7%, and single parent families at 9.1%. The remaining 12.9% are non-family households, which include lone person households at 11.4% and group shared homes at 1.9%. The median household size is 3.0 people, which is larger than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
10.3% of adults in Marian hold a university qualification, including 8.1% with a bachelor degree and 0.9% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 42.4% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 456 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 977 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
The region shows relatively low rates of higher education, with only 10.3% of residents holding a university qualification, which is below the national average of 30.4%. Among these graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.1%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.3% and postgraduate degrees at 0.9%. Vocational and technical skills are highly prevalent, with 50.8% of the population aged 15 and over possessing vocational qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.4% and certificates at 42.4%. Participation in education is high, with 36.1% of residents currently studying. This student population includes 16.9% in primary school, 9.9% in high school, and 2.6% in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Marian means driving: households keep an average of 2.0 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport is limited to 8 active bus stops operating in the suburb of Marian. These stops are served by 1 routes, which provide a combined total of 10 weekly passenger trips. Local transit access is limited, with residents living an average of 708 meters from their nearest stop. The suburb of Marian is mainly residential, and most commuters travel out of the area, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 95%. Households own an average of 2.0 vehicles, which is above the regional average. A relatively low 6.9% of residents worked from home according to the 2021 Census, a figure that may reflect pandemic conditions.
Bus services run at an average frequency of 1 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 1 weekly trips for each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
75.0% of residents in Marian report no long-term health condition. 3.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 61.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health outcomes for residents are generally positive, with mortality rates and chronic illnesses tracking close to national averages. The prevalence of common health issues remains low in the general population, though it rises above the national average for older, higher-risk groups. The rate of private health insurance is high, covering approximately 61% of residents (2,689 people), compared to 52.5% in Regional Qld and a national average of 55.7%. Asthma and mental health conditions are the most common medical issues reported, affecting 8.5% and 6.4% of residents, respectively. Meanwhile, 75.0% of the population reported no long-term health conditions, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld.
The working-age population is healthy with low rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over make up 9.4% of the population (412 people), which is lower than the Regional Qld average of 20.4%. While seniors face some health challenges, their outcomes rank lower nationally than the rest of the local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Marian is largely Australian-born, at 94.1% of residents, with 1.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (34.1%) and English (29.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The suburb of Marian has lower cultural diversity than average, with citizens making up 89.6% of the population, 94.1% of residents born in Australia, and 98.5% of people speaking only English at home. The most common religious affiliation is Christianity, which is shared by 53.6% of the population, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. In terms of parent country of birth, the top ancestral groups are Australian at 34.1% of the population (higher than the regional average of 26.5%), English at 29.0%, and Irish at 7.6%. Other backgrounds show specific variations: Maltese ancestry is notably higher at 3.5% of the population (compared to 0.4% regionally), Maori ancestry is at 0.9% (compared to 0.8%), and German ancestry is at 3.9% (compared to 4.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Marian is 32, younger than 90% of areas nationally. 27.0% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 32 years in the suburb of Marian is lower than the Regional Qld average of 41 and the national median of 38. Compared to Regional Qld, the suburb of Marian has a larger percentage of children aged 5 - 14 (18.1%) but a smaller share of seniors aged 65 - 74 (6.0%). The concentration of 5 - 14 year-olds is higher than the national average of 12.0%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 65 to 74 increased from 5.1% to 6.0%, while the group aged 45 to 54 shrank from 13.1% to 11.2%.
Demographic projections indicate the age structure will change by 2041, with the 25 to 34 group expected to grow the fastest at 28% (adding 190 residents to reach 862), while the 15 to 24 group is projected to decrease by 18 residents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Marian
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 this month all 5 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 9 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (4,224 at the 2021 Census → 4,387 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL31766). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.