Chart Color Schemes
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
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
McKail has an estimated 4,337 residents, up from 3,970 at the 2021 Census — a change of 367 people, or 9.2%. Growth has averaged 1.4% a year over five years. That puts 439 residents on each 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
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of McKail has an estimated resident count of around 4,337, according to AreaSearch evaluations combining broader ABS demographic updates with post-Census validated address counts. Compared to the 3,970 residents recorded in the 2021 Census, this represents an expansion of 367 people (9.2%). This figure builds on an estimated resident population of 4,308 identified from the ABS ERP release in June 2025 alongside 93 validated new addresses confirmed after the Census. The suburb's density stands at 439 persons per square kilometer, leaving substantial physical space per resident and room to support upcoming development.
Outperforming the wider SA3 area (8.9%), the suburb of McKail's 9.2% rise since the 2021 census positions it as an area growth leader. Natural increases served as the main demographic engine, generating approximately 37.0% of recent population additions, while interstate migration and overseas migration also registered positive contributions. SA2-level projections from ABS/Geoscience Australia (issued in 2024 using 2022 as a base year) are incorporated into AreaSearch modeling, with post-2032 horizons and non-covered SA2 localities drawing on age-cohort rates from the 2023 Greater Capital Region release (grounded in 2022 data). Looking ahead, the suburb of McKail is projected to outpace the median growth of national non-metropolitan localities, with combined SA2-level forecasts indicating a gain of 622 persons by 2041, which represents an overall increase of 13.7% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
178 new dwellings have been approved in McKail over the past five years, an average of 35 a year. That places the area in the 61st percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 8 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 24 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 92% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 20, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
ABS building approval statistics compiled by AreaSearch show that the suburb has averaged around 35 residential approvals annually, accumulating an estimated 178 homes throughout the previous 5 financial years. During FY-25 to date, 20 building approvals have been logged. New residential builds carry an average construction value of $432,000, while the local ratio of 2.4 new residents annually per dwelling across the 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25 signals sound underlying demand to help underpin property values. Per capita residential development in the locality closely matches the Rest of WA, maintaining balanced supply conditions across the broader region.
Detached houses accounted for 92.0% of recent approvals while attached formats represented 8.0%, preserving an established low-density urban footprint geared toward spacious family living. The presence of approximately 165 people per dwelling approval reflects continuing market expansion. Based on the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch, future forecasts indicate an addition of 593 residents by 2041. Sustaining existing construction rates should provide sufficient residential supply to satisfy incoming demand, delivering advantageous buying conditions while accommodating potential expansion beyond current projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around McKail
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 4 current infrastructure and development projects inside McKail, worth an estimated $34 million. A further 22 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $703 million. 5 are already under construction and 10 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and agriculture & rural development. 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
Capital investments, planning strategies, and infrastructure developments play a fundamental role in shaping local community outcomes. AreaSearch has pinpointed 7 specific infrastructure projects anticipated to influence the immediate area, highlighting the South Lockyer Structure Plan, Centennial Park Urban Renewal Area, McKail North Local Structure Plan, and Clydesdale Park as key developments.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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
Clydesdale Park
Clydesdale Park is an established residential estate by DevelopmentWA located in McKail, 7km from the Albany town centre. When complete, the estate will feature up to 430 homes, a central bushland park with walkways, and a future primary school. The estate offers easy access to local schools, sporting complexes, and shopping centres. Stage 3 civil works are underway with lots currently sold out or under offer, and future land releases planned.
McKail North Local Structure Plan
The McKail North Local Structure Plan is a proposed replacement for the previous outline development plan covering approximately 68.16 hectares in northern McKail. The structure plan proposes a lower-density residential community ranging from R2.5 to R25, a new primary school site, consolidated public open space, and an updated road network. Following public consultation that closed in January 2025, the City of Albany has progressed broader planning for the Gladville (Lancaster North) precinct, including a Structure Plan, Development Contribution Plan and Local Planning Scheme Amendment.
Albany Regional Airport Upgrades
The City of Albany is advancing the Albany Airport Master Plan 2043, following Council endorsement of the Code 3 Development Strategy in April 2024. This phase focuses on airside and landside improvements to support existing RPT and FIFO services. In early 2026, the City issued tenders for Runway Upgrade and Overlay Design Services, with maintenance and asphalt resurfacing of the main runway (RWY 14/32) scheduled for the 2026/2027 summer construction period. The upgrades aim to support larger narrow-bodied aircraft, enhance regional tourism, and facilitate Large Aerial Tanker operations for fire safety.
McKail Community Housing Project
A $5.2 million project by Advance Housing that has completed construction on twelve new modular social homes in McKail, Albany. The project includes six two-story buildings with a mix of one and two-bedroom units. The homes were designed for energy efficiency with a 7-star energy rating and meet Liveable Design Standards to ensure accessibility. They were built by Wauters Building Company.
Yakamia/Lange Structure Plan
District structure plan adopted by the City of Albany and endorsed by the Western Australian Planning Commission to guide long-term urban expansion, residential zonings, conservation corridors, and key road networks across the Yakamia and Lange localities. It coordinates infrastructure staging, open space integration, and transport connectivity north of Albany's central area.
Centennial Park Urban Renewal Area
An urban renewal area with plans to prepare a Structure Plan to investigate zonings, land uses, and provide for a diverse range of residential densities (R40 to RAC), aiming to increase employment opportunities and improve community facilities.
South Regional TAFE - Albany Trade Workshop
New facilities will deliver training in traditional trades and stimulate local economy. The new workshops will replace the campus' existing 50-year old trade facilities.
Spencer Park Renewal Project - Hardie Road Mixed-Use Development
State-backed mixed-use renewal project within the Spencer Park Improvement Special Control Area in Albany, delivering 51 new social, affordable and key worker homes along Hardie Road alongside a new Albany Dental Clinic and office space. The project sits within the Spencer Park Renewal Project, which is progressively upgrading streetscapes, public spaces and housing around the neighbourhood centre, guided by an adopted Local Development Plan to enable higher density mixed-use development close to schools, health services and shops.
2,183 residents of McKail are employed, from a labour force of 2,258. Unemployment sits at 3.3%, with participation at 67.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 3,272, about 75% 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
Statistical area figures compiled by AreaSearch indicate an unemployment rate of only 3.3% within a balanced local workforce encompassing blue-collar, white-collar, and essential service roles. As of March 2026, employed residents total 2,183, with unemployment sitting 0.2% beneath the Regional WA benchmark of 3.5% and labour participation holding steady at 67.5% versus 65.4% across Regional WA. Only a modest 3.2% of workers reported working from home during the Census, subject to the context of Covid-19 restrictions. Healthcare & social assistance, retail trade, and construction constitute the primary fields of employment for local workers.
Retail trade exhibits particularly heavy representation, employing residents at 1.6 times the Regional WA rate. Conversely, mining accounts for just 3.3% of the local workforce compared to 11.7% across Regional WA. Comparisons between Census resident counts and workplace counts suggest that this largely residential locality offers limited on-site employment opportunities. AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM figures show that over the 12 months to March 2026, the local labour force contracted by 5.4% while total employment fell by 6.9%, driving an increase in the unemployment rate of 1.5 percentage points. Over the identical timeframe, Regional WA recorded an employment decline of 0.1%, labour force growth of 0.3%, and an unemployment rise of 0.4 percentage points. National outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context for prospective local job demand across five and ten-year intervals. While countrywide employment is projected to climb by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, trajectories vary by sector. Applying these national industry weights to the local workforce structure indicates prospective employment gains of 5.9% across five years and 12.7% across ten years (representing a direct weighted extrapolation for context without local demographic adjustments).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in McKail is $1,641 a week (about $85,000 a year), with median personal income at $786 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $53,065 a year against an average of $66,883. 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 AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, the suburb of McKail had a median income among taxpayers of $53,065 with the average level standing at $66,883. This is approximately average nationally and compares to levels of $59,973 and $74,392 across Regional WA respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $58,865 (median) and $74,193 (average) as of March 2026. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in McKail, between the 44th and 46th percentiles.
Income brackets indicate the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 40.3% of residents (1,747 people), reflecting patterns seen the broader area where 31.1% similarly occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 44th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
McKail had 1,356 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 98% detached houses and 0% apartments. 49% are owned with a mortgage, 25% rented and 26% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $350 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,622 a month. Rent absorbs 21.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the most recent Census, the local housing stock consisted of 98.2% standalone houses and 1.8% alternative formats such as apartments, semi-detached properties, and other dwellings, in contrast to 88.5% houses and 11.6% other dwellings across Regional WA. Outright home ownership stood at 25.8%, trailing the regional average, while mortgaged homes accounted for 48.8% and rental accommodation made up 25.4%. Typical monthly mortgage payments reached $1,622 and weekly rental payments sat at $350, exceeding Regional WA figures of $1,560 and $265. Relative to nationwide benchmarks, monthly mortgage costs remain well below the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents sit under the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
McKail counted 1,356 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,481 today, averaging 2.8 people each. 37% are couples with children, against 28% couples without children. 19% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 77.8% of all local households, divided between couples with children at 36.7%, couples without children at 27.7%, and single-parent households at 12.2%. The remaining 22.2% comprises non-family arrangements, including single-person residences at 19.1% and group living situations at 3.2%. The average household accommodates 2.8 people, exceeding the 2.5 person average recorded across Regional WA.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
11.7% of adults in McKail hold a university qualification, including 8.8% with a bachelor degree and 1.2% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 82% of areas nationally. A further 35.2% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Tertiary educational attainment presents local challenges, as the 11.7% rate of university qualifications falls well below the 30.4% national average, highlighting clear targets for educational investment. Bachelor degrees form the primary higher education credential at 8.8%, accompanied by graduate diplomas at 1.7% and postgraduate degrees at 1.2%. Technical and vocational training is strongly represented, with 46.2% of individuals aged 15+ possessing vocational qualifications, comprising certificates (35.2%) and advanced diplomas (11.0%). A significant 30.2% of the local population is actively engaged in formal study. This student cohort comprises 10.6% attending primary education, 9.5% enrolled in secondary education, and 1.7% undertaking tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around McKail means driving: households keep an average of 1.8 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
Commuting infrastructure across the suburb of McKail includes 5 operational public transport stops served by local buses. Across these stops, 1 distinct transit route operates to deliver 55 weekly passenger trips. Transit access is moderate, with residents located an average of 546 meters from their nearest transit boarding point. As outward commuting characterizes this predominantly residential area, private vehicles dominate travel at 97%, and vehicle ownership exceeds the regional benchmark at an average of 1.8 per household. Working from home was recorded at a modest 3.2% in the 2021 Census, which may reflect conditions during COVID-19.
Transit schedules provide an average frequency of 7 trips per day across the network, translating to roughly 11 weekly departures for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
69.5% of residents in McKail report no long-term health condition. 4.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 53.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of chronic condition incidence and mortality rates point to notable health challenges locally, with common conditions present across older and younger cohorts alike. Private health insurance coverage covers approximately 54% of the population (~2,331 people), marginally outperforming the typical SA2 benchmark while sitting below the 56.4% figure for Regional WA. Mental health conditions and asthma represent the most frequent health diagnoses, each diagnosed in 9.0% and 9.0% of local residents, while 69.5% reported no chronic medical issues compared to 69.3% in Regional WA. Working-age cohorts display elevated rates of chronic illness.
Residents aged 65 and over constitute 13.0% of the locality (563 people), tracking lower than the 19.1% proportion across Regional WA, with broader health metrics aligning closely with nationwide distributions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
McKail is largely Australian-born, at 81.4% of residents, with 9.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (32.8%) and Australian (30.4%). 3.3% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures fall below broader averages, with Australian-born residents comprising 81.4% of the community, Australian citizens representing 89.8%, and sole English speakers accounting for 90.2% of households. Christianity forms the predominant religious affiliation at 44.1% of residents. Meanwhile, Judaism accounts for no recorded share of the community, mirroring the regional baseline where none were recorded across Regional WA. Regarding ancestral background based on parental birthplace, the primary reported heritages are English at 32.8%, Australian at 30.4%, and Scottish at 6.3%. Several specific cultural groups show distinct regional divergence: Dutch ancestry accounts for 3.3% locally compared to 1.5% regionally, Filipino heritage represents 3.4% versus 1.2%, and South Australian background stands at 0.8% against 0.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of McKail is 34, younger than 82% of areas nationally. 28.9% 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 age distribution in the suburb of McKail is younger at the upper brackets than Regional WA. Children and young adults aged 0 - 24 represent 37.4% of the population as at August 2026 compared to 29.1% across Regional WA, whereas seniors and retirees aged 65+ make up only 13.0% locally versus 19.1% regionally. As at August 2026, the median age is estimated at 34, matching the 2021 Census level and sitting 6 years below the Regional WA benchmark of 40 from that same Census. Middle-aged and younger retiree groups aged 45 - 64 have decreased from 22.2% to an estimated 21.2% since the Census.
By 2041, the largest demographic growth is projected among adults aged 25 - 44, increasing by 409 residents (33%) to reach 1,649, while senior and retiree cohorts are projected to reduce over this timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for McKail
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) | Aug 2026 last month 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 last 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 last month all 4 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 6 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 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago 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 — 93 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,970 at the 2021 Census → 4,337 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 Aug 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 (SAL50920). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.