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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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South Mackay has an estimated 7,257 residents, up from 6,918 at the 2021 Census — a change of 339 people, or 4.9%. Growth has averaged 0.9% a year over five years. That puts 987 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 South Mackay is estimated to have a population of approximately 7,257 residents, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of broader ABS updates alongside post-Census address validations. This represents a 4.9% expansion (up 339 people) from the 6,918 people counted in the 2021 Census. The updated figure of 7,257 was determined by AreaSearch through the ABS June 2025 ERP release combined with subsequent address validations. Across the suburb of South Mackay, population density stands at 987 persons per square kilometer, aligning closely with broader benchmarks tracked by AreaSearch.
The area's 4.9% post-census growth rate trails the wider SA3 figure of 7.0% by 2.1 percentage points, highlighting solid local momentum. Around 52.0% of recent population additions were generated via natural increase, serving as the core engine of local expansion. Projections for the suburb of South Mackay draw from 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 modeling with a 2022 baseline, supplemented post-2032 and for unmapped SA2 zones by 2023 Queensland State Government figures anchored to 2021 data. Because the state datasets lack age-bracket breakdowns, AreaSearch incorporates age-cohort proportions from the ABS Greater Capital Region 2023 release (2022 base). Looking forward under this framework, the suburb of South Mackay is projected to experience a net decline of 373 persons by 2041. Even so, certain segments are set to expand, particularly the 25 to 34 age bracket, which is slated to add 157 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Building activity across South Mackay remains quiet, recording 2 approved dwellings per year, which equates to 10 across the past five years. Such subdued numbers align with the location's rural setting, in which development activity responds primarily to targeted community requirements instead of broad market forces. Because total volumes are modest, a single project can substantially shift annual trends and comparison metrics. Construction levels in South Mackay remain well under the rates seen in Rest of Qld, while also falling short of nationwide benchmarks. Recent residential building has consisted entirely of standalone houses, preserving the spacious rural feel of the area.
Developers are delivering standalone dwellings at a higher proportion than the existing stock (73.0% at Census), underscoring steady appetite for family-oriented housing despite wider densification. Generating about 4818 people per dwelling approval, the local property landscape demonstrates deep maturity. Given that demographic forecasts point toward flat or declining numbers, future housing demand in South Mackay should ease, creating more favourable conditions for prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around South Mackay
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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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 South Mackay, worth an estimated $126 million. A further 46 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $3.1 billion. 21 are already under construction and 20 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
Capital works, major developments, and strategic initiatives exert a profound influence on local area outcomes. AreaSearch has pinpointed a total of 8 significant projects expected to shape the locality, prominently featuring the Milton Precinct, Mackay Airport Expansion, Mackay Base Hospital Expansion, and Great Barrier Reef Arena Redevelopment.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Mackay Airport Redevelopment
A $60 million major redevelopment program transforming key facilities. Includes a $20 million runway overlay, $3 million terminal enhancement with increased capacity, a 190-space car park expansion, and the $32 million Milton Precinct commercial development.
Milton Precinct
Milton Precinct is a staged business, retail and mixed-use service hub being developed on Mackay Airport land holdings between the Mackay CBD and the emerging Bakers Creek community zone. Stage 1 civil works were completed in November 2025 at a cost of around 9.7 million dollars, activating 25,000 square metres of serviced lots with new roads and services. The first tenancies are scheduled to open in 2026, with further development rolling out through 2027 and 2028 and all commercial operators expected to come online over a 10-year period.The precinct will accommodate retail, food and beverage offerings, short-term worker accommodation, health care and other service providers, and light industrial uses. It is forecast to deliver 134.1 million dollars to the local economy in its first 10 years and support around 280 onsite jobs once operational, with new businesses expected to generate 42.5 million dollars in annual output. Milton Precinct sits within a broader 60 million dollar Mackay Airport infrastructure program that also includes a terminal transformation, a major runway overlay and expanded car parking, with the terminal upgrade starting in January 2026. Local family business Vassallo Constructions delivered the Stage 1 civil works.
Mackay State Development Area
907 hectares designated for renewable energy and biofutures industries. Supports regional economic diversification and sustainable aviation fuel production. Leverages Mackay's agricultural strengths for net-zero transition industries. Declared February 2024 with development scheme approved September 2024. The SDA incorporates two distinct areas: Racecourse Mill area (137 hectares) approximately 5km west of Mackay CBD, and Rosella area (770 hectares) located 10km south of Mackay CBD. Designed to become Queensland's home for emerging biocommodity industry.
Great Barrier Reef Arena Redevelopment
Stage 1 of the project will include a new covered grandstand, elite player, match official and broadcast facilities and an expanded capacity for more than 10,000 people.
Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area (PDA)
A long-term urban transformation project revitalising Mackay's CBD and waterfront across five precincts. Current active works include the Sydney and River Streets intersection upgrade, Bluewater Trail enhancements, and the redevelopment of the 8 River Street site into a food and beverage destination. The project integrates streetscape improvements, public realm upgrades, and heritage preservation to drive private investment.
Mackay Base Hospital Expansion
The Mackay Base Hospital Expansion delivers a major clinical enhancement under a 15-year strategic master plan for the Mackay Hospital and Health Service. Stage 1 involves the construction of a new Clinical Services Building (P Block) providing at least 128 new overnight beds, a new Mackay Birth Centre, expanded emergency, surgical, endoscopy, and neonatal facilities, a rooftop helipad, and a multi-storey car park. Funded under Queensland's Hospital Rescue Plan, main construction works commence in 2027 with completion slated for 2030.
Mackay Public Transport Hub
Concept for an integrated public transport interchange in Mackay combining bus services, taxi facilities, active transport connections and future public transport integration. As of the latest publicly available information, no active construction or funded delivery program has been identified and the proposal remains at the planning level.
South Mackay Industrial Estate
Situated in the heart of Mackay's burgeoning bioenergy hub, the South Mackay Industrial Estate offers flat, serviced industrial land with excellent transport links to the Bruce Highway, Mackay Harbour, and the airport. It positions businesses to leverage the region's agricultural industry, R&D expertise, the planned Future Foods Biohub, and bioenergy policies. The estate comprises 11 industrial allotments over 12 hectares, with the final lots available for sale as of 2025.
3,872 residents of South Mackay are employed, from a labour force of 4,043. Unemployment sits at 4.2%, with participation at 67.4%. 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 5,928, about 82% 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
South Mackay supports a diverse workforce balanced across blue- and white-collar roles, with a marked manufacturing and industrial footprint, an unemployment rate of 4.2%, and 4.0% year-on-year employment growth based on AreaSearch's statistical area aggregation. As of March 2026, 3,872 local residents are employed. The area's 4.2% unemployment rate sits 0.3% higher than Regional Qld's 3.9%, whereas workforce participation is solid at 67.4% versus 64.2% in Regional Qld. Census records indicate that only 3.8% of workers operated from home, a figure that may reflect prevailing Covid-19 restrictions. Health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction serve as the primary sources of employment for local residents.
The workforce displays heavy concentration in mining, employing residents at a rate 2.3 times higher than the regional benchmark. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.8% of jobs, compared to 4.5% across the wider region. Comparing Census-recorded working populations to local resident counts suggests that on-site employment opportunities within the immediate area are constrained. AreaSearch's evaluation of regional SALM and ABS statistics shows that over the 12-month period, local employment expanded by 4.0% while the labour force expanded by 5.9%, leading to a 1.7 percentage points increase in the jobless rate. By comparison, Regional Qld saw employment rise by 0.1% alongside labour force growth of 0.3%, resulting in a 0.1 percentage point increase. Looking ahead, Jobs and Skills Australia's Mar-26 national workforce forecasts provide context for South Mackay's outlook across five- and ten-year horizons. Nationally, employment is projected to expand by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, with distinct variations across sectors. Translating these industry projections to South Mackay's specific industry distribution suggests potential local job expansion of 5.9% across five years and 12.8% across ten years (representing an illustrative weighting model that excludes localized demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in South Mackay is $1,477 a week (about $77,000 a year), with median personal income at $791 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $54,878 a year against an average of $68,618. 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 latest ATO tax statistics published by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, taxpayers in South Mackay recorded a median earnings level of $54,878 and an average of $68,618. These figures slightly exceed national benchmarks and surpass the Regional Qld median of $53,146 and average of $66,593. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since financial year 2023, local incomes as of March 2026 are estimated at approximately $61,112 (median) and $76,413 (average). Data from the Census 2021 shows local personal, family, and household earnings ranking modestly between the 34th and 47th percentiles.
The single largest income bracket captures 34.1% of residents (2,474 people) within the $1,500 - 2,999 band, matching the broader region where 31.7% fall into the same tier. Financial strain is evident, with only 84.6% of income uncommitted, placing the area at the 35th percentile for housing affordability.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
South Mackay had 2,807 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 73% detached houses and 2% apartments. 33% are owned with a mortgage, 39% rented and 28% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $290 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,500 a month. Rent absorbs 19.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.4%. 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 residential composition of South Mackay comprised 73.4% houses and 26.6% other dwellings such as apartments and semi-detached properties, whereas Regional Qld recorded 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Outright home ownership stood at 27.7%, trailing the Regional Qld figure, with remaining homes held under a mortgage (32.9%) or leased (39.3%). Typical monthly mortgage obligations of $1,500 and weekly rental payments of $290 sat lower than the Regional Qld figures of $1,655 and $345 respectively. Relative to broader national averages of $1,863 for mortgages and $375 for rents, housing expenses in South Mackay remain markedly more economical.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
South Mackay counted 2,807 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 23% are couples with children, fewer than in 77% of areas nationally, against 25% couples without children. 34% 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 majority of South Mackay households at 62.8%, consisting of 24.6% couples without children, 23.1% couples with children, and 13.4% single-parent arrangements. Non-family households account for the other 37.2%, driven primarily by single-person residences at 33.9% alongside group households at 3.4%. With an average of 2.3 people per dwelling, typical household size sits below the Regional Qld benchmark of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.7% of adults in South Mackay hold a university qualification, including 10.6% with a bachelor degree and 1.6% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 34.5% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,574 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 992 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 local population displays lower levels of higher education, with 13.7% holding tertiary degrees compared to the national rate of 30.4%, creating a clear focal point for future learning initiatives. Within this segment, bachelor degrees account for 10.6%, postgraduate awards represent 1.6%, and graduate diplomas make up 1.5%. Conversely, vocational and technical credentials are broad-based, with 42.2% of individuals aged 15+ possessing vocational qualifications, consisting of 7.7% with advanced diplomas and 34.5% holding certificates. Formal study engagement is substantial across the community, with 28.0% of residents actively undertaking education. This cohort comprises 10.7% attending primary schools, 8.1% in secondary education, and 3.5% engaged in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in South Mackay reaches 25 stops on 4 routes, timetabled for about 220 services a week. The typical home sits about 250 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.3 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport connectivity across South Mackay is facilitated by 25 stops served by bus networks. These locations are supported by 4 distinct routes providing a combined 222 passenger services per week. Network reach is favourable, with typical walking distances of 246 meters to the closest stop. Given the area's residential profile, outward commuting is standard, with private vehicles accounting for 92% of travel. Motor vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per household, falling below regional levels, while a modest 3.8% of the workforce worked from home at the 2021 Census, a metric potentially shaped by COVID-19 conditions.
Services operate at an overall frequency of 31 journeys daily across the network, translating to approximately 8 weekly trips at any individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
66.6% of residents in South Mackay report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 76% of areas nationally. 5.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 54.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch's review of local mortality patterns and chronic condition rates highlights meaningful health vulnerabilities within South Mackay across younger and older demographics alike, alongside a robust private health insurance participation rate of approximately 54% across the community (~3,947 people). Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the leading reported ailments locally, each affecting 8.5 and 8.5% of the population, while 66.6% of residents reported having no medical conditions compared to 67.6% across Regional Qld. Chronic conditions are elevated among working-age locals. Residents aged 65 and over represent 19.7% of the area (1,429 people), among whom health metrics present ongoing challenges while aligning generally with national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
South Mackay is largely Australian-born, at 83.9% of residents, with 10.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (27.5%) and English (27.3%). 4.3% 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 in South Mackay tracks lower than standard benchmarks, with Australian citizens making up 85.0% of the population, 83.9% born in Australia, and 90.0% speaking only English in domestic settings. Christianity stands as the primary faith, practiced by 59.8% of residents in South Mackay compared to 52.2% throughout Regional Qld. Regarding parental lineage, the three leading ancestries across South Mackay are Australian (27.5%), English (27.3%), and Irish (8.4%). Several other backgrounds exhibit distinctive local concentrations, including Filipino residents who represent 4.3% of the community compared to 0.9% across the region, Maltese at 1.4% versus 0.4%, and New Zealand ancestry at 0.9% compared to 0.9% regionally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of South Mackay is 39. 27.7% 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
Demographic distribution in the suburb of South Mackay aligns closely with Regional Qld across all major brackets, with the maximum divergence between them being 1.5 percentage points. The median age remains at an estimated 39, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 2 years younger than the Regional Qld median of 41 recorded during the same Census. The 45 - 64 age category has decreased from 25.9% at the Census to an estimated 23.4%. By 2041, the retiree and senior group (65+) is forecasted to see the greatest addition, expanding by 130 residents (9%) to reach 1,560, while youth, young adult, and mature working-age groups are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for South Mackay
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 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 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago 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 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,918 at the 2021 Census → 7,257 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 (SAL32594). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.