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Mackay vs Mount Isa

Urban Area comparison ≈ 1,004 km apart · Mackay profile · Mount Isa profile

Mackay Mount Isa

Mackay and Mount Isa are two distant Queensland hubs with very different layouts and demographics. Mackay is far more walkable, with a score of 5.2 (somewhat walkable), while Mount Isa is 2.7 (mostly car-dependent). This is seen in the local access to essentials; 63.9% of Mackay homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries, compared to just 26.5% in Mount Isa. Mount Isa has a much higher Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population at 21.4%, compared to 6.7% in Mackay. Financial profiles also differ, with typical weekly personal incomes well higher in Mount Isa at $1,158, versus $886 in Mackay.

Everyday life in both places shares a similar level of education, with about 14% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. They also have the same unemployment rate of 4.2%. Since 2011, some gaps between the two have grown. The difference in typical income has widened by $92, and the gap in the share of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents has increased significantly from 2.2% to 14.7%.

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Where they differ most

Population: 66,016 larger in Mackay PT commute: 1.2 pts higher in Mackay First Nations: 14.7 pts higher in Mount Isa No car: 2.5 pts higher in Mount Isa 3+ bedrooms: 8.0 pts higher in Mackay

Demographics & Identity

Population in Mackayin Mount Isa +66,016 larger in Mackay gap widening
84,333 72nd pct 18,317 29th pct
Median age in Mackayin Mount Isa +6 yrs older in Mackay gap narrowing
37 yrs 21st pct 31 yrs 0th pct
First Nations in Mackayin Mount Isa +14.7 pts higher in Mount Isa gap widening
6.7% 64th pct 21.4% 100th pct
Aged 65+ in Mackayin Mount Isa +6.7 pts higher in Mackay gap steady
14.9% 16th pct 8.1% 2nd pct
Under 15 in Mackayin Mount Isa +3.5 pts higher in Mount Isa gap widening
20.1% 79th pct 23.6% 97th pct
De facto in Mackayin Mount Isa +4.8 pts higher in Mount Isa gap widening
14.3% 80th pct 19.1% 95th pct

Age structure

27.3% Young adults (25–44) +5.0 pts ▸ 32.3%
25.6% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +3.2 pts 22.4%
20.1% Children (0–14) +3.5 pts ▸ 23.6%
14.9% Seniors (65+) ◂ +6.7 pts 8.1%
12.2% Youth (15–24) +1.4 pts ▸ 13.6%

Marital status

36.9% Never married +11.7 pts ▸ 48.6%
44.2% Married ◂ +7.2 pts 37.1%
9.8% Divorced ◂ +2.3 pts 7.5%
5.1% Widowed ◂ +1.7 pts 3.4%
4.0% Separated ◂ +0.6 pts 3.4%

Age & sex structure

Mackay Mount Isa

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in Mackayin Mount Isa +2.3 pts higher in Mount Isa gap widening
14.2% 59th pct 16.5% 72nd pct

Country of birth

77.5% Australia ◂ +3.4 pts 74.1%
2.5% New Zealand +1.7 pts ▸ 4.3%
2.1% Philippines +0.6 pts ▸ 2.7%
2.0% England ◂ +0.8 pts 1.2%
1.3% South Africa ◂ +0.2 pts 1.1%
0.8% India +0.1 pts ▸ 0.8%
0.3% China ◂ +0.1 pts 0.2%
0.2% Italy even 0.2%
0.1% Nepal even 0.1%
0.1% Vietnam even 0.1%

Ancestry

38.1% English ◂ +9.6 pts 28.5%
36.4% Australian ◂ +3.0 pts 33.4%
10.7% Irish ◂ +1.7 pts 8.9%
10.4% Scottish ◂ +3.1 pts 7.2%
6.1% German ◂ +1.7 pts 4.4%
2.6% Filipino +1.2 pts ▸ 3.9%
3.2% Italian ◂ +0.6 pts 2.6%
1.4% Dutch ◂ +0.3 pts 1.1%
1.2% Chinese +0.1 pts ▸ 1.4%
1.1% Indian ◂ +0.2 pts 0.9%
0.3% Greek even 0.3%
0.1% Vietnamese +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

Language

Other language in Mackayin Mount Isa +2.1 pts higher in Mount Isa gap steady
7.7% 61st pct 9.8% 73rd pct
Limited English in Mackayin Mount Isa even gap steady
0.7% 42nd pct 0.7% 49th pct

Language used at home

83.8% English only ◂ +3.4 pts 80.4%
1.1% Tagalog ◂ +0.1 pts 1.0%
0.4% Mandarin ◂ +0.2 pts 0.3%
0.2% Punjabi even 0.3%
0.2% Hindi even 0.2%
0.2% Italian even 0.2%
0.1% Cantonese even 0.1%
0.1% Vietnamese even 0.1%
0.1% Arabic even 0.1%
0.0% Greek even 0.1%

Religion

No religion in Mackayin Mount Isa +3.1 pts higher in Mount Isa gap steady
37.8% 27th pct 40.9% 41st pct

Religious affiliation

50.0% Christianity ◂ +4.3 pts 45.7%
37.8% No religion +3.1 pts ▸ 40.9%
9.8% Not stated +1.3 pts ▸ 11.1%
0.8% Hinduism ◂ +0.1 pts 0.6%
0.7% Buddhism ◂ +0.1 pts 0.6%
0.5% Other religions +0.1 pts ▸ 0.6%
0.4% Islam even 0.4%
0.0% Judaism even 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Mackayin Mount Isa +1.6 pts higher in Mount Isa gap narrowing
48.1% 68th pct 49.7% 73rd pct
Bachelor+ in Mackayin Mount Isa +0.3 pts higher in Mount Isa gap narrowing
14.2% 42nd pct 14.5% 45th pct

Highest year of school

48.1% Year 12 +1.6 pts ▸ 49.7%
24.9% Year 10 ◂ +3.5 pts 21.4%
9.2% Year 9 or below +0.3 pts ▸ 9.5%
7.5% Year 11 +0.1 pts ▸ 7.5%

Highest qualification level

40.1% Certificate III / IV ◂ +1.1 pts 39.1%
17.5% Bachelor degree ◂ +0.1 pts 17.5%
11.9% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +2.0 pts 9.9%
3.6% Postgraduate degree +0.8 pts ▸ 4.4%
2.5% Certificate I / II +0.2 pts ▸ 2.6%
2.6% Graduate diploma / certificate even 2.6%

Field of qualification

22.4% Engineering & related +2.3 pts ▸ 24.7%
14.2% Management & commerce ◂ +2.5 pts 11.7%
10.3% Health ◂ +0.5 pts 9.8%
8.8% Society & culture even 8.8%
7.8% Education even 7.8%
5.6% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +0.9 pts 4.6%
5.5% Architecture & building ◂ +1.5 pts 4.0%
1.5% Natural & physical sciences +0.2 pts ▸ 1.6%
1.6% Creative arts ◂ +0.6 pts 1.0%
1.2% Agriculture & environment even 1.2%
1.1% Information technology even 1.1%

Income

Personal income in Mackayin Mount Isa +$272 higher in Mount Isa gap widening
$886 87th pct $1,158 98th pct
Household income in Mackayin Mount Isa +$402 higher in Mount Isa gap steady
$1,834 85th pct $2,236 92nd pct
Family income in Mackayin Mount Isa +$428 higher in Mount Isa gap narrowing
$2,224 86th pct $2,652 93rd pct
High earners in Mackayin Mount Isa +7.1 pts higher in Mount Isa gap widening
13.7% 85th pct 20.8% 98th pct
High-income homes in Mackayin Mount Isa +8.2 pts higher in Mount Isa gap widening
21.6% 81st pct 29.9% 91st pct

Household income distribution

29.5% $1,500–$2,999 +2.3 pts ▸ 31.8%
22.4% $650–$1,499 ◂ +5.3 pts 17.2%
11.1% $3,000–$3,999 +3.9 pts ▸ 15.0%
10.5% $4,000 or more +4.3 pts ▸ 14.8%
14.8% Under $650 ◂ +3.7 pts 11.1%

Personal income distribution

34.4% Under $650 ◂ +6.2 pts 28.2%
30.2% $650–$1,499 ◂ +4.4 pts 25.9%
20.0% $1,500–$2,999 +9.3 pts ▸ 29.3%
4.8% $3,000 or more +0.5 pts ▸ 5.3%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Mackayin Mount Isa +6.2 pts higher in Mackay
26.9% 18th pct 20.7% 5th pct
Mental health in Mackayin Mount Isa +2.9 pts higher in Mackay
8.4% 20th pct 5.5% 3rd pct
Needs assistance in Mackayin Mount Isa +2.0 pts higher in Mackay gap narrowing
5.3% 22nd pct 3.3% 5th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

8.4% Mental health ◂ +2.9 pts 5.5%
7.9% Arthritis ◂ +3.6 pts 4.4%
7.8% Asthma ◂ +0.8 pts 7.0%
7.0% Other condition ◂ +1.7 pts 5.3%
4.6% Diabetes +0.1 pts ▸ 4.7%
4.2% Heart disease ◂ +1.2 pts 3.0%
2.7% Cancer ◂ +1.2 pts 1.5%
1.8% Lung condition ◂ +0.7 pts 1.2%
0.9% Stroke ◂ +0.3 pts 0.5%
0.8% Dementia ◂ +0.3 pts 0.4%

Number of long-term health conditions

61.6% None +4.9 pts ▸ 66.5%
18.3% One condition ◂ +3.5 pts 14.8%
5.5% Two conditions ◂ +1.5 pts 4.0%
3.0% Three or more ◂ +1.2 pts 1.8%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Mackayin Mount Isa +1.2 pts higher in Mount Isa gap steady
12.6% 14th pct 13.8% 28th pct
Unpaid carers in Mackayin Mount Isa +3.0 pts higher in Mackay gap steady
10.2% 13th pct 7.2% 2nd pct
Unpaid child care in Mackayin Mount Isa +1.3 pts higher in Mount Isa gap narrowing
27.9% 79th pct 29.1% 88th pct
Defence service in Mackayin Mount Isa +0.1 pts higher in Mackay
2.9% 32nd pct 2.8% 27th pct
Housework 15h+ in Mackayin Mount Isa +1.5 pts higher in Mackay gap narrowing
18.9% 14th pct 17.5% 8th pct

Family & Households

Household size in Mackayin Mount Isa +0.1 larger in Mount Isa gap narrowing
2.5 71st pct 2.6 86th pct
One-parent in Mackayin Mount Isa +3.1 pts higher in Mount Isa gap widening
15.8% 40th pct 18.9% 79th pct
Living alone in Mackayin Mount Isa +2.2 pts higher in Mount Isa gap steady
25.9% 21st pct 28.1% 45th pct

Family composition

55.9% Couples with children +1.6 pts ▸ 57.5%
27.1% Couples without children ◂ +4.9 pts 22.2%
15.8% One-parent families +3.1 pts ▸ 18.9%
1.2% Other families +0.2 pts ▸ 1.4%

Household size

34.5% 2 people ◂ +3.7 pts 30.8%
25.9% 1 person +2.2 pts ▸ 28.1%
15.4% 3 people ◂ +0.7 pts 14.7%
14.7% 4 people ◂ +0.4 pts 14.3%
6.5% 5 people +0.7 pts ▸ 7.2%
3.1% 6 or more +1.8 pts ▸ 4.9%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Mackayin Mount Isa +$74 higher in Mackay gap widening
$349 71st pct $275 31st pct
Mortgage in Mackayin Mount Isa +$187 higher in Mackay gap narrowing
$1,733 71st pct $1,546 52nd pct
People / bedroom in Mackayin Mount Isa +0.10 higher in Mount Isa gap steady
0.80 57th pct 0.90 100th pct
Renting in Mackayin Mount Isa +12.6 pts higher in Mount Isa gap widening
33.0% 68th pct 45.6% 94th pct
Owned outright in Mackayin Mount Isa +10.0 pts higher in Mackay gap widening
26.2% 14th pct 16.2% 2nd pct
Separate houses in Mackayin Mount Isa +6.1 pts higher in Mackay gap widening
81.2% 34th pct 75.1% 19th pct
3+ bedrooms in Mackayin Mount Isa +8.0 pts higher in Mackay gap widening
79.4% 67th pct 71.4% 14th pct

How homes are owned or rented

33.0% Rented +12.6 pts ▸ 45.6%
36.6% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +6.7 pts 30.0%
26.2% Owned outright ◂ +10.0 pts 16.2%
2.1% Not stated +2.4 pts ▸ 4.4%
2.1% Other tenure +1.7 pts ▸ 3.7%

Types of homes

81.2% Separate house ◂ +6.1 pts 75.1%
12.3% Townhouse / semi-detached +3.6 pts ▸ 15.9%
4.8% Flat or apartment ◂ +0.6 pts 4.2%
1.2% Other dwelling +2.9 pts ▸ 4.1%

Bedrooms per home

41.3% 3 bedrooms +6.5 pts ▸ 47.8%
32.7% 4 bedrooms ◂ +13.3 pts 19.4%
14.3% 2 bedrooms +2.5 pts ▸ 16.8%
3.8% 1 bedroom +3.1 pts ▸ 6.9%
5.4% 5 or more ◂ +1.2 pts 4.2%
0.4% Studio / none ◂ +0.1 pts 0.4%

Weekly rent distribution

43.7% $350–$549 ◂ +14.3 pts 29.4%
35.0% $200–$349 ◂ +3.7 pts 31.3%
13.1% Under $200 +15.8 pts ▸ 28.8%
3.8% $550–$749 +1.1 pts ▸ 4.9%
0.5% $750 or more even 0.5%

Monthly mortgage distribution

40.3% $1,000–$1,799 +0.8 pts ▸ 41.1%
32.1% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +4.7 pts 27.4%
13.4% Under $1,000 +3.6 pts ▸ 17.0%
8.3% $3,000 or more ◂ +1.5 pts 6.8%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Mackayin Mount Isa +2.5 pts higher in Mount Isa gap steady
5.1% 28th pct 7.6% 83rd pct
Work from home in Mackayin Mount Isa +2.2 pts higher in Mackay gap widening
4.2% 14th pct 2.0% 0th pct
PT commute in Mackayin Mount Isa +1.2 pts higher in Mackay gap steady
1.4% 78th pct 0.2% 11th pct

How people get to work

72.3% Car (driver) ◂ +1.8 pts 70.5%
5.6% Car (passenger) +2.1 pts ▸ 7.7%
1.7% Walked +2.5 pts ▸ 4.2%
4.2% Worked at home ◂ +2.2 pts 2.0%
1.4% Bus ◂ +1.1 pts 0.2%
0.6% Bicycle +0.2 pts ▸ 0.8%
0.0% Train even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

39.6% 2 vehicles ◂ +0.5 pts 39.1%
34.0% 1 vehicle +0.1 pts ▸ 34.1%
14.2% 3 vehicles ◂ +1.6 pts 12.6%
5.1% No vehicle +2.5 pts ▸ 7.6%
7.1% 4 or more ◂ +0.6 pts 6.5%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Mackayin Mount Isa +1.3 pts higher in Mount Isa gap narrowing
42.2% 65th pct 43.5% 74th pct
Recent arrivals in Mackayin Mount Isa +4.3 pts higher in Mount Isa gap narrowing
14.2% 55th pct 18.5% 77th pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Mackayin Mount Isa even gap narrowing
4.2% 28th pct 4.2% 31st pct
Participation in Mackayin Mount Isa +4.4 pts higher in Mount Isa gap narrowing
64.2% 86th pct 68.5% 97th pct
Full-time in Mackayin Mount Isa +8.4 pts higher in Mount Isa gap widening
64.8% 88th pct 73.2% 100th pct

Industries people work in

11.0% Mining +19.5 pts ▸ 30.5%
15.0% Health care & social assistance ◂ +2.4 pts 12.6%
9.7% Retail trade ◂ +2.2 pts 7.5%
7.5% Education & training +1.0 pts ▸ 8.4%
8.2% Construction ◂ +4.1 pts 4.2%
4.3% Public administration & safety +2.5 pts ▸ 6.8%
6.6% Accommodation & food ◂ +0.6 pts 6.0%
5.7% Manufacturing ◂ +2.8 pts 2.9%
5.2% Transport & warehousing ◂ +1.9 pts 3.3%
5.1% Other services ◂ +1.1 pts 4.0%
4.5% Professional & technical ◂ +2.9 pts 1.6%
3.9% Wholesale trade ◂ +1.8 pts 2.0%

Occupations people work in

19.6% Technicians & trades +1.4 pts ▸ 21.0%
16.7% Professionals +0.6 pts ▸ 17.3%
11.1% Machinery operators & drivers +4.2 pts ▸ 15.3%
11.6% Clerical & administrative ◂ +0.5 pts 11.0%
11.2% Community & personal service ◂ +0.9 pts 10.2%
10.1% Labourers ◂ +1.2 pts 8.9%
9.0% Managers ◂ +1.4 pts 7.6%
8.9% Sales workers ◂ +2.4 pts 6.5%

Walkability

Walk score in Mackayin Mount Isa +2.6 higher in Mackay
5.2 59th pct 2.7 6th pct
Types ≤15 min in Mackayin Mount Isa +2.0 more in Mackay
5.0 60th pct 3.0 7th pct
15-min city in Mackayin Mount Isa +32.9 pts higher in Mackay
56.6% 57th pct 23.7% 0th pct
Walk to shops in Mackayin Mount Isa +37.5 pts higher in Mackay
63.9% 75th pct 26.5% 0th pct
Walk to transit in Mackayin Mount Isa +81.5 pts higher in Mackay
81.5% 44th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to school in Mackayin Mount Isa +17.8 pts higher in Mount Isa
64.5% 52nd pct 82.4% 92nd pct
Walk to a park in Mackayin Mount Isa +3.6 pts higher in Mackay
96.5% 91st pct 92.9% 71st pct
Walk to health in Mackayin Mount Isa +21.1 pts higher in Mackay
43.4% 61st pct 22.4% 11th pct
Amenities/1k in Mackayin Mount Isa +8.7 more in Mackay
14.3 46th pct 5.6 0th pct
Intersections/km² in Mackayin Mount Isa +16 higher in Mackay
43 81st pct 27 64th pct
Mean slope in Mackayin Mount Isa even
3.8% 25th pct 3.8% 24th pct

Compare Mackay with nearby areas

Airlie Beach - Cannonvale Rockhampton Yeppoon Emerald Townsville Gladstone Not in any Significant Urban Area Bundaberg Cairns Hervey Bay Maryborough Kingaroy

Compare Mount Isa with nearby areas

Not in any Significant Urban Area Alice Springs Not in any Significant Urban Area Cairns Townsville Emerald Airlie Beach - Cannonvale Not in any Significant Urban Area Mackay Rockhampton Broken Hill Yeppoon

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Mackay vs Mount Isa [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sua/3011/mackay/vs/3013/mount-isa