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Central Highlands vs Mackay

Name: Central Highlands vs Mackay — 2021 Census comparison
Creator: Australian Bureau of Statistics
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Sub-region (SA3) comparison ≈ 356 km apart · Central Highlands profile · Mackay profile

Central Highlands Mackay

Mackay and Central Highlands (Qld) are two distinct Queensland regions with very different environments. Mackay is much wetter, with an average annual rainfall of 1,524mm compared to 522mm in Central Highlands (Qld). Mackay is also more developed in terms of transport, with 59% of homes within a 10-minute walk of public transport, while Central Highlands (Qld) has none. In terms of education, First Nations Year 12 completion is far higher in Mackay at 45.6%, while it is 34.6% in Central Highlands (Qld).

Both areas share a very similar social makeup, with nearly identical shares of people born overseas, those who use a language other than English at home, and those with no religion. They also have the same typical number of people per home. While Central Highlands (Qld) has a higher share of renters at 42.6%, this gap has narrowed slightly since 2011. Similarly, the difference in typical resident age has shrunk, with Mackay's residents now only 4 years older than those in Central Highlands (Qld).

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Where they differ most

Population: 92,842 larger in Mackay Renting: 14.0 pts higher in Central Highlands Volunteering: 5.1 pts higher in Central Highlands Rent: $90 higher in Mackay PT commute: 2.8 pts higher in Central Highlands

Demographics & Identity

Population in Central Highlands in Mackay +92,842 larger in Mackay gap widening

28,849 21st pct 121,691 84th pct

Median age in Central Highlands in Mackay +4 yrs older in Mackay gap narrowing

34 yrs 11th pct 38 yrs 36th pct

Age structure

29.8% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +3.7 pts 26.2%

24.4% Older adults (45–64) +2.2 pts ▸ 26.6%

23.7% Children (0–14) ◂ +3.6 pts 20.1%

9.5% Seniors (65+) +5.7 pts ▸ 15.2%

12.5% Youth (15–24) ◂ +0.7 pts 11.8%

Marital status

46.1% Married +0.7 pts ▸ 46.7%

39.0% Never married ◂ +3.9 pts 35.1%

8.3% Divorced +1.3 pts ▸ 9.5%

3.0% Widowed +1.8 pts ▸ 4.8%

3.7% Separated +0.1 pts ▸ 3.8%

Age & sex structure

Central Highlands Mackay

Bars show the share of each area's own population, so differently sized areas stay comparable.

Ancestry & Birthplace

Country of birth

77.5% Australia +1.4 pts ▸ 78.9%

3.3% New Zealand ◂ +0.9 pts 2.3%

1.2% England +0.6 pts ▸ 1.8%

1.3% Philippines +0.3 pts ▸ 1.6%

0.9% South Africa +0.1 pts ▸ 1.0%

0.4% India +0.1 pts ▸ 0.6%

0.2% China even 0.2%

0.0% Italy +0.1 pts ▸ 0.1%

0.1% Vietnam even 0.1%

0.1% Nepal even 0.1%

Ancestry

38.9% Australian ◂ +0.5 pts 38.3%

35.2% English +2.9 pts ▸ 38.0%

10.1% Irish +0.3 pts ▸ 10.4%

9.3% Scottish +1.0 pts ▸ 10.3%

5.9% German +0.3 pts ▸ 6.2%

1.6% Italian +1.5 pts ▸ 3.2%

1.5% Filipino +0.6 pts ▸ 2.0%

1.1% Dutch +0.3 pts ▸ 1.4%

0.9% Chinese +0.1 pts ▸ 1.0%

0.5% Indian +0.3 pts ▸ 0.8%

0.3% Greek ◂ +0.1 pts 0.2%

0.1% Vietnamese even 0.1%

Language

Language used at home

83.0% English only +2.0 pts ▸ 85.0%

0.5% Tagalog +0.2 pts ▸ 0.8%

0.4% Mandarin ◂ +0.1 pts 0.3%

0.2% Punjabi even 0.2%

0.2% Hindi even 0.2%

0.1% Italian +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

0.0% Cantonese +0.1 pts ▸ 0.1%

0.1% Vietnamese even 0.1%

0.0% Arabic +0.1 pts ▸ 0.1%

0.1% Greek even 0.0%

Religion

Religious affiliation

49.4% Christianity +1.3 pts ▸ 50.7%

36.0% No religion +0.9 pts ▸ 36.9%

12.7% Not stated ◂ +2.2 pts 10.5%

0.7% Buddhism ◂ +0.1 pts 0.6%

0.5% Hinduism +0.1 pts ▸ 0.6%

0.5% Other religions ◂ +0.1 pts 0.4%

0.3% Islam even 0.3%

0.0% Judaism even 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Schools in Central Highlands in Mackay +27 more in Mackay

31 58th pct 58 90th pct

Schools/1k kids in Central Highlands in Mackay +2.16 more in Central Highlands

4.53 86th pct 2.37 56th pct

Students in Central Highlands in Mackay +11,319 more in Mackay

10,963 56th pct 22,282 85th pct

Avg size in Central Highlands in Mackay +19 larger in Mackay

365 39th pct 384 42nd pct

ICSEA in Central Highlands in Mackay +25 higher in Mackay

949 14th pct 973 27th pct

Highest year of school

46.4% Year 12 ◂ +1.2 pts 45.2%

24.4% Year 10 +2.2 pts ▸ 26.5%

8.1% Year 9 or below +1.6 pts ▸ 9.7%

7.6% Year 11 even 7.6%

Highest qualification level

39.2% Certificate III / IV +2.7 pts ▸ 41.9%

14.4% Bachelor degree +1.1 pts ▸ 15.5%

10.7% Advanced diploma / diploma +0.7 pts ▸ 11.4%

3.4% Certificate I / II ◂ +0.8 pts 2.6%

2.5% Postgraduate degree +0.5 pts ▸ 3.0%

2.3% Graduate diploma / certificate +0.1 pts ▸ 2.4%

Field of qualification

22.6% Engineering & related +1.2 pts ▸ 23.9%

12.1% Management & commerce +1.4 pts ▸ 13.5%

6.8% Health +2.5 pts ▸ 9.3%

8.2% Education ◂ +0.6 pts 7.6%

6.6% Society & culture +1.5 pts ▸ 8.1%

5.5% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +0.1 pts 5.3%

4.0% Architecture & building +1.4 pts ▸ 5.4%

4.7% Agriculture & environment ◂ +3.2 pts 1.5%

1.0% Creative arts +0.5 pts ▸ 1.5%

1.1% Natural & physical sciences +0.3 pts ▸ 1.4%

0.7% Information technology +0.2 pts ▸ 1.0%

Income

Personal income in Central Highlands in Mackay +$113 higher in Central Highlands gap widening

$979 78th pct $866 66th pct

Household income in Central Highlands in Mackay +$201 higher in Central Highlands gap narrowing

$2,054 75th pct $1,853 63rd pct

Family income in Central Highlands in Mackay +$177 higher in Central Highlands gap narrowing

$2,392 74th pct $2,215 64th pct

Household income distribution

29.6% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +0.6 pts 29.0%

20.6% $650–$1,499 +1.6 pts ▸ 22.3%

12.4% Under $650 +2.0 pts ▸ 14.4%

13.6% $4,000 or more ◂ +2.9 pts 10.7%

12.1% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +0.9 pts 11.3%

Personal income distribution

31.0% Under $650 +4.1 pts ▸ 35.1%

26.8% $650–$1,499 +2.3 pts ▸ 29.2%

20.9% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +1.3 pts 19.6%

7.3% $3,000 or more ◂ +2.5 pts 4.9%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

5.4% Arthritis +2.7 pts ▸ 8.1%

6.9% Mental health +1.1 pts ▸ 8.0%

7.6% Asthma +0.2 pts ▸ 7.8%

5.4% Other condition +1.3 pts ▸ 6.7%

3.6% Diabetes +1.0 pts ▸ 4.7%

2.7% Heart disease +1.5 pts ▸ 4.2%

1.9% Cancer +0.8 pts ▸ 2.7%

1.5% Lung condition +0.4 pts ▸ 1.9%

0.6% Stroke +0.3 pts ▸ 0.9%

0.2% Dementia +0.5 pts ▸ 0.7%

Number of long-term health conditions

64.1% None ◂ +2.9 pts 61.2%

15.7% One condition +2.4 pts ▸ 18.1%

4.4% Two conditions +1.2 pts ▸ 5.6%

1.9% Three or more +1.1 pts ▸ 3.0%

Community Participation

First Nations

First Nations people in Central Highlands in Mackay +4,939 larger in Mackay

2,568 70th pct 7,507 89th pct

Median age in Central Highlands in Mackay +1 yrs older in Mackay

21 yrs 14th pct 22 yrs 21st pct

Median income in Central Highlands in Mackay +$206 higher in Mackay

$484 14th pct $690 70th pct

Household income in Central Highlands in Mackay +$465 higher in Mackay

$1,382 29th pct $1,847 71st pct

Family & Households

Household size in Central Highlands in Mackay even gap narrowing

2.6 71st pct 2.6 71st pct

Family composition

60.4% Couples with children ◂ +3.6 pts 56.8%

24.5% Couples without children +3.7 pts ▸ 28.2%

14.2% One-parent families ◂ +0.1 pts 14.0%

1.0% Other families even 1.0%

Household size

32.4% 2 people +3.2 pts ▸ 35.6%

25.6% 1 person ◂ +1.7 pts 23.9%

14.2% 3 people +1.2 pts ▸ 15.3%

15.1% 4 people ◂ +0.2 pts 14.9%

8.2% 5 people ◂ +1.3 pts 6.9%

4.4% 6 or more ◂ +1.2 pts 3.2%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Central Highlands in Mackay +$90 higher in Mackay gap narrowing

$250 14th pct $340 43rd pct

Mortgage in Central Highlands in Mackay +$233 higher in Mackay gap widening

$1,500 27th pct $1,733 43rd pct

People / bedroom in Central Highlands in Mackay even gap steady

0.80 29th pct 0.80 29th pct

How homes are owned or rented

42.6% Rented ◂ +14.0 pts 28.6%

28.1% Owned with a mortgage +10.1 pts ▸ 38.2%

21.6% Owned outright +7.6 pts ▸ 29.1%

5.7% Other tenure ◂ +3.5 pts 2.1%

2.1% Not stated ◂ +0.1 pts 2.0%

Types of homes

85.5% Separate house ◂ +0.8 pts 84.7%

6.2% Townhouse / semi-detached +3.9 pts ▸ 10.1%

5.6% Flat or apartment ◂ +2.0 pts 3.6%

1.4% Other dwelling ◂ +0.3 pts 1.1%

Bedrooms per home

38.5% 3 bedrooms +3.0 pts ▸ 41.5%

33.7% 4 bedrooms ◂ +1.0 pts 32.7%

12.0% 2 bedrooms +1.8 pts ▸ 13.8%

7.9% 5 or more ◂ +2.2 pts 5.7%

4.7% 1 bedroom ◂ +0.9 pts 3.7%

1.0% Studio / none ◂ +0.5 pts 0.5%

Weekly rent distribution

21.8% $350–$549 +20.5 pts ▸ 42.3%

36.2% Under $200 ◂ +22.6 pts 13.6%

34.2% $200–$349 +1.9 pts ▸ 36.1%

1.1% $550–$749 +2.3 pts ▸ 3.4%

0.1% $750 or more +0.4 pts ▸ 0.4%

Monthly mortgage distribution

36.0% $1,000–$1,799 +2.2 pts ▸ 38.2%

25.3% $1,800–$2,999 +7.5 pts ▸ 32.8%

23.5% Under $1,000 ◂ +9.9 pts 13.6%

9.0% $3,000 or more +0.2 pts ▸ 9.2%

Transport & Vehicles

PT stops in Central Highlands in Mackay +277 more in Mackay

0 0th pct 277 50th pct

Stops/1k in Central Highlands in Mackay +2.28 more in Mackay

0.00 0th pct 2.28 17th pct

Departures/1k in Central Highlands in Mackay +151.3 more in Mackay

0.0 0th pct 151.3 24th pct

PT routes in Central Highlands in Mackay +11 more in Mackay

0 0th pct 11 22nd pct

How people get to work

59.5% Car (driver) +11.6 pts ▸ 71.1%

9.0% Worked at home ◂ +3.8 pts 5.2%

6.2% Car (passenger) ◂ +1.1 pts 5.1%

5.4% Walked ◂ +3.4 pts 2.0%

4.2% Bus ◂ +2.9 pts 1.3%

0.6% Bicycle even 0.5%

0.0% Train even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

37.4% 2 vehicles +2.6 pts ▸ 40.0%

31.5% 1 vehicle ◂ +0.2 pts 31.3%

16.5% 3 vehicles ◂ +0.6 pts 15.8%

10.0% 4 or more ◂ +1.3 pts 8.7%

4.7% No vehicle ◂ +0.6 pts 4.2%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

22.2% Mining ◂ +10.2 pts 12.1%

6.5% Health care & social assistance +6.8 pts ▸ 13.3%

12.5% Agriculture, forestry & fishing ◂ +9.6 pts 2.8%

7.9% Retail trade +1.2 pts ▸ 9.2%

6.1% Construction +2.0 pts ▸ 8.1%

8.0% Education & training ◂ +0.7 pts 7.3%

6.8% Accommodation & food ◂ +0.8 pts 5.9%

2.4% Manufacturing +3.7 pts ▸ 6.1%

3.9% Transport & warehousing +2.0 pts ▸ 5.9%

3.8% Other services +1.2 pts ▸ 5.0%

4.5% Public administration & safety ◂ +0.5 pts 4.0%

2.4% Professional & technical +1.8 pts ▸ 4.2%

Occupations people work in

16.6% Technicians & trades +3.4 pts ▸ 20.1%

17.3% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +4.8 pts 12.5%

11.4% Professionals +3.7 pts ▸ 15.0%

14.9% Managers ◂ +5.0 pts 9.9%

13.2% Labourers ◂ +3.0 pts 10.2%

9.7% Clerical & administrative +1.9 pts ▸ 11.6%

7.5% Community & personal service +2.8 pts ▸ 10.3%

7.3% Sales workers +1.1 pts ▸ 8.4%

Economy & Advantage

ERP in Central Highlands in Mackay +98,685 higher in Mackay

30,568 16th pct 129,253 81st pct

Growth in Central Highlands in Mackay +0.8 pts higher in Mackay

4.2% 36th pct 5.0% 43rd pct

Environment & Climate

Rainfall in Central Highlands in Mackay +1,002 higher in Mackay

522 14th pct 1,524 91st pct

Max temp in Central Highlands in Mackay +2.0 higher in Central Highlands

30.6 92nd pct 28.6 88th pct

Min temp in Central Highlands in Mackay +2.7 higher in Mackay

15.0 80th pct 17.7 91st pct

Walkability

Walk score in Central Highlands in Mackay +1.2 higher in Mackay

2.8 13th pct 4.0 32nd pct

Types ≤15 min in Central Highlands in Mackay +0.6 more in Mackay

3.2 16th pct 3.8 29th pct

15-min city in Central Highlands in Mackay +1.7 pts higher in Mackay

40.2% 24th pct 41.9% 27th pct

Walk to shops in Central Highlands in Mackay +9.7 pts higher in Mackay

37.5% 19th pct 47.2% 35th pct

Walk to transit in Central Highlands in Mackay +59.0 pts higher in Mackay

0.0% 0th pct 59.0% 32nd pct

Walk to school in Central Highlands in Mackay +5.1 pts higher in Central Highlands

53.1% 33rd pct 47.9% 26th pct

Walk to a park in Central Highlands in Mackay +14.2 pts higher in Mackay

64.2% 20th pct 78.4% 36th pct

Walk to health in Central Highlands in Mackay +0.8 pts higher in Central Highlands

33.5% 32nd pct 32.7% 30th pct

Amenities/1k in Central Highlands in Mackay +3.2 more in Central Highlands

17.7 64th pct 14.5 44th pct

Intersections/km² in Central Highlands in Mackay +1 higher in Mackay

0 2nd pct 2 29th pct

Mean slope in Central Highlands in Mackay +1.2 pts higher in Mackay

3.5% 14th pct 4.7% 35th pct

Compare Central Highlands with nearby areas

Biloela Rockhampton Bowen Basin - North Gladstone Burnett Darling Downs (West) - Maranoa Mackay Bundaberg

Compare Mackay with nearby areas

Whitsunday Bowen Basin - North Rockhampton Townsville Central Highlands Charters Towers - Ayr - Ingham Gladstone Biloela

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Central Highlands vs Mackay [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sa3/30801/central-highlands/vs/31202/mackay