West Mackay

An assessment of population growth drivers in West Mackay reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

West Mackay's population, as of November 2025, is estimated at around 6,678. This reflects an increase of 142 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 6,536. The increase was inferred from AreaSearch's examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024 and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,126 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 80% 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 and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are adopted, based on 2021 data and released in 2023. These state projections do not provide age category splits; hence proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections are applied where utilised. Moving forward, demographic trends suggest a population increase just below the median of Australian non-metropolitan areas by 2041, with West Mackay (SA2) expected to expand by 553 persons, reflecting an 8.6% gain over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates West Mackay averaged approximately 9 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 48 homes. As of FY26, 4 approvals have been recorded. Between FY21 and FY25, there were around 3.9 people moving to the area for each dwelling built, indicating significant demand exceeding new supply, which typically drives price growth and increased buyer competition. The average construction value of new properties was $244,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options.

Commercial approvals this financial year totalled $115,000, predominantly reflecting residential focus. Comparatively, West Mackay shows substantially reduced construction (60.0% below the regional average per person) when measured against the Rest of Qld. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. Furthermore, this activity is under the national average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations. New development in West Mackay consists of 56.0% detached houses and 44.0% attached dwellings, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns (currently 78.0% houses), which suggests diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. The location has approximately 891 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market.

Population forecasts indicate West Mackay will gain around 571 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 13 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives are Mackay Base Hospital Expansion, Mackay Technology Park, Milton Precinct, and Mackay State Development Area. The following details projects deemed most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Employment conditions in West Mackay demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

West Mackay has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 2.9% as of September 2025.

Employment growth in the past year was estimated at 4.7%. As of September 2025, 3600 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.2% below Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation was on par with Rest of Qld's 59.1%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, mining, and education & training.

The area has a high employment specialization in mining, with an employment share of 2.8 times the regional level. Agriculture, forestry & fishing employed just 1.1% of local workers, below Rest of Qld's 4.5%. The ratio of 0.7 workers per resident indicates higher than normal employment opportunities locally. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 4.7% while labour force increased by 4.2%, reducing unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Qld where employment rose by 1.7%. As of 25-Nov-25, state-level data shows QLD employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, broadly in line with national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia suggest growth patterns for West Mackay. Over five years, national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% while over ten years it's projected to increase by 13.7%. Applying these projections to West Mackay's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.4% over ten years.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

In financial year 2023, West Mackay had a median taxpayer income of $58,138 and an average income of $72,695. Nationally, the averages were $53,146 and $66,593 respectively for Rest of Qld. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $63,899 (median) and $79,899 (average), based on a 9.91% increase since financial year 2023. Census data shows West Mackay's household, family, and personal incomes are at the 52nd percentile nationally. Income distribution reveals that 32.3% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999 (2,156 individuals). After housing costs, 85.9% of income remains for other expenses. West Mackay's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

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

West Mackay's dwelling structure in its latest Census assessment showed 77.8% houses and 22.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Non-Metro Qld's figures of 85.1% houses and 14.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in West Mackay stood at 30.4%, similar to Non-Metro Qld. Mortgaged dwellings comprised 34.1% and rented ones made up 35.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,595, lower than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure in West Mackay was $320, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $340. Nationally, West Mackay's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,595 versus the Australian average of $1,863. Rents in West Mackay were substantially below the national figure of $375 at $320.

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

Family households comprise 63.0% of all households, including 25.3% couples with children, 26.7% couples without children, and 10.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 37.0%, with lone person households at 32.7% and group households comprising 4.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, smaller than the Rest of Qld average of 2.6.

West Mackay shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

In West Mackay, 20.8% of residents aged 15 and above hold university degrees, compared to the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 16.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are held by 39.7% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 8.7% and certificates at 31.0%. Educational participation is high, with 28.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.1% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 4.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 19 active transport stops operating within West Mackay. These are served by buses along four individual routes, collectively offering 240 weekly passenger trips. Residents have good transport accessibility, typically living 243 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 34 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 12 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in West Mackay is well below average with considerably higher than average prevalence of common health conditions and to an even higher degree among older age cohorts

West Mackay faces significant health challenges with a notably higher prevalence of common conditions compared to average. The prevalence is even higher amongst older age groups.

Private health cover stands at approximately 56% of the total population (around 3,740 people), slightly lower than the Rest of Qld's 58.1%. Arthritis and mental health issues are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 8.4% each of residents. However, 66.0% report being free from medical ailments, compared to 69.7% in the Rest of Qld. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 20.6% (1,375 people), compared to the Rest of Qld's 16.2%. Health outcomes amongst seniors require more attention than those for the broader population.

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

West Mackay's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 84.5% of its population being Australian citizens, 84.2% born in Australia, and 89.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in West Mackay, comprising 63.9% of its population, compared to 56.8% across the rest of Queensland. The top three ancestry groups in West Mackay are English (28.1%), Australian (27.5%), and Irish (8.8%).

Notably, certain ethnic groups have different representations: Maltese at 3.1% in West Mackay compared to 2.4% regionally, Filipino at 3.6% versus 1.5%, and German at 4.1% compared to 4.7%.

West Mackay's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in West Mackay was 42 years in 2021, close to Rest of Queensland's average of 41 but higher than Australia's median of 38. The percentage of people aged 85 and above was notably higher in West Mackay compared to the Rest of Queensland average (4.0% vs. 2.9%). Conversely, the proportion of children aged 5-14 years was lower in West Mackay at 10.5%, compared to the Rest of Queensland's average of 13.7%. Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, the population share of those aged 15-24 increased from 11.2% to 12.7%, while the 25-34 age group rose from 12.0% to 13.4%. During this period, the proportion of people aged 45-54 decreased from 13.2% to 11.6%, and those aged 85 and above fell from 5.3% to 4.0%. Population forecasts for West Mackay in 2041 anticipate significant demographic shifts. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to grow by 27% from 894 to 1,136 people. However, the populations of those aged 55-64 and 5-14 years are expected to decrease.