South Mackay

South Mackay has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of South Mackay is around 7,257, reflecting a growth of 339 people since the 2021 Census. This increase represents a 4.9% rise from the previous population count of 6,918. The current estimate was derived by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and address validation since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of approximately 987 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. South Mackay's growth rate of 4.9% positions it within 1.9 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 6.8%. The primary driver for this population growth was natural growth, contributing approximately 52.0% 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 by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings in line with the ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. According to these projections, over this period, there is an expected decline in overall population by 374 persons by 2041. Despite this, growth across specific age cohorts is anticipated, notably led by the 25 to 34 age group with a projected expansion of 164 people.

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

South Mackay had two dwelling approvals annually from 2016 to 2020 inclusive, totalling ten across these five years. This minimal residential development activity is typical of rural areas with modest housing needs and limited construction activity due to local demand and infrastructure capacity. Yearly growth figures may vary considerably given the low approval numbers.

South Mackay's development activity is significantly lower compared to the rest of Queensland and Australia overall. Recent building activity consists solely of standalone homes, reflecting the area's rural character where larger properties are common. Interestingly, 73% of dwellings built were traditional houses at the time of Census, indicating strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. South Mackay has approximately 7155 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an established market.

Population projections indicate stability or decline, which should reduce housing demand pressures and benefit potential buyers in the area.

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

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified eight projects likely impacting the region. Notable ones are Milton Precinct, Mackay Airport Expansion, Mackay Base Hospital Expansion, and Great Barrier Reef Arena Redevelopment. The following details these projects in order of 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 indicates South Mackay maintains employment conditions that align with national benchmarks

South Mackay has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent. The unemployment rate is 3.8%, with an estimated employment growth of 4.5% in the past year (AreaSearch data).

As of December 2025, there are 3,856 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 3.8%, 0.2% below Regional Qld's rate of 4.0%. Workforce participation is 66.9%, compared to Regional Qld's 64.5%. Only 3.8% of residents work from home (Census data, considering Covid-19 impacts). Dominant employment sectors are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.

South Mackay has a strong specialization in mining, with an employment share 2.3 times the regional level, but agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 0.8% of local workers, below Regional Qld's 4.5%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by the working population vs resident population count. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 4.5%, while labour force increased by 5.4%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.9 percentage points (AreaSearch data). In contrast, Regional Qld experienced employment growth of 0.7% and labour force growth of 1.0%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia suggest South Mackay's employment should increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows South Mackay's median income among taxpayers is $54,878. The average income in the suburb is $68,618. This is slightly above national averages and compares to Regional Queensland's median of $53,146 and average of $66,593. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, current estimates for South Mackay would be approximately $61,112 (median) and $76,413 (average) as of March 2026. Census data reveals household incomes rank at the 34th percentile, family incomes at the 45th percentile, and personal incomes at the 47th percentile in South Mackay. Income distribution shows that 34.1% of residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 (2,474 people), which is similar to the broader area where this cohort represents 31.7%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 35th percentile.

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

In South Mackay, as per the latest Census, 73.4% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 26.6% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is compared to Regional Qld's 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in South Mackay stood at 27.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 32.9% and rented ones at 39.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, lower than Regional Qld's average of $1,655. Weekly rent in South Mackay was $290, compared to Regional Qld's $345. Nationally, South Mackay's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,500 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 62.8% of all households, including 23.1% couples with children, 24.6% couples without children, and 13.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 37.2%, with lone person households making up 33.9% and group households comprising 3.4%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Regional Queensland average of 2.5 people.

Educational outcomes in South Mackay fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 13.7%, significantly lower than the Australian average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 42.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (7.7%) and certificates (34.5%).

Educational participation is high, with 28.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.7% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 3.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transportation in South Mackay shows that there are currently 25 active transport stops operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 4 individual routes providing service to the area. Collectively, these routes offer 222 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in the area is rated as good, with residents typically located approximately 246 meters from their nearest transport stop. South Mackay is primarily residential, and most residents commute outward for work or other purposes. The car remains the dominant mode of transportation in the area, used by 92% of residents.

On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling in the area, which is below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 3.8% of residents work from home, which may reflect the conditions related to COVID-19. The service frequency averages 31 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 8 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

South Mackay faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

Common health conditions are prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is relatively high, with approximately 54% of the total population (~3,947 people) having it. The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 8.5% and 8.5% of residents respectively. Conversely, 66.6% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Working-age residents have a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions than average. The area has 19.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1,386 people), lower than the 20.4% in Regional Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly inline with the general population.

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

South Mackay's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 85.0% of its population being citizens, 83.9% born in Australia, and 90.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the main religion in South Mackay, making up 59.8% of people, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (27.5%), English (27.3%), and Irish (8.4%).

Notably, Filipino representation is higher at 4.3%, Maltese at 1.4%, and New Zealand at 0.9%.

South Mackay's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in South Mackay is 39 years, which is lower than Regional Qld's average of 41 but close to the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 25-34 are prominent at 15.5%, while the 45-54 group is smaller at 10.7% compared to Regional Qld. Between 2021 and present, the 25-34 age group has increased from 13.8% to 15.5%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 12.4% to 10.7%, and the 5-14 group has dropped from 12.2% to 11.1%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in South Mackay's age structure. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to increase by 126 people (11%) from 1,124 to 1,251. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 57% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the 0-4 and 35-44 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.