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Mackay vs Townsville

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

Urban Area comparison ≈ 323 km apart · Mackay profile · Townsville profile

Mackay Townsville

Townsville and Mackay are both major Queensland hubs, but they have different social and professional profiles. Townsville is a significant centre for the Defence Force, where 9.2% of people have served compared to just 2.9% in Mackay. Education levels are well higher in Townsville, where 18.4% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher and 54.9% finished Year 12. In contrast, Mackay has a higher share of top earners, with 13.7% of people earning $2,000 or more a week. Mackay also has more walkable access to daily needs, with 63.9% of homes within 15 minutes of groceries compared to 54.0% in Townsville.

Both areas share very similar basic demographics, including almost identical shares of children under 15 and people born overseas. They also track closely on typical personal incomes, which sit at $872 in Townsville and $886 in Mackay. While they remain similar in these areas, some gaps are growing; the difference in university qualifications and Year 12 completion has widened since 2011.

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Where they differ most

Population: 94,678 larger in Townsville Unemployment: 0.9 pts higher in Townsville Year 12: 6.9 pts higher in Townsville One-parent: 2.1 pts higher in Townsville Bachelor+: 4.2 pts higher in Townsville

Demographics & Identity

Population in Mackay in Townsville +94,678 larger in Townsville gap widening

84,333 72nd pct 179,011 79th pct

Median age in Mackay in Townsville +2 yrs older in Mackay gap steady

37 yrs 21st pct 35 yrs 11th pct

Age structure

27.3% Young adults (25–44) +0.7 pts ▸ 28.0%

25.6% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +1.6 pts 24.0%

20.1% Children (0–14) ◂ +0.7 pts 19.4%

12.2% Youth (15–24) +2.8 pts ▸ 14.9%

14.9% Seniors (65+) ◂ +1.1 pts 13.7%

Marital status

44.2% Married ◂ +4.1 pts 40.1%

36.9% Never married +5.6 pts ▸ 42.5%

9.8% Divorced ◂ +0.4 pts 9.3%

5.1% Widowed ◂ +0.9 pts 4.2%

4.0% Separated ◂ +0.1 pts 3.9%

Age & sex structure

Mackay Townsville

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Country of birth

77.5% Australia +1.3 pts ▸ 78.8%

2.5% New Zealand ◂ +0.4 pts 2.1%

2.0% England +0.3 pts ▸ 2.4%

2.1% Philippines ◂ +1.0 pts 1.1%

1.3% South Africa ◂ +0.7 pts 0.6%

0.8% India +0.2 pts ▸ 1.0%

0.3% China ◂ +0.1 pts 0.2%

0.2% Italy +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

0.1% Vietnam +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

0.1% Nepal even 0.1%

Ancestry

38.1% English ◂ +0.9 pts 37.2%

36.4% Australian +0.5 pts ▸ 36.9%

10.7% Irish +0.6 pts ▸ 11.3%

10.4% Scottish +0.1 pts ▸ 10.4%

6.1% German ◂ +0.8 pts 5.3%

3.2% Italian +1.7 pts ▸ 4.9%

2.6% Filipino ◂ +1.0 pts 1.6%

1.4% Dutch ◂ +0.1 pts 1.3%

1.2% Chinese +0.2 pts ▸ 1.4%

1.1% Indian +0.2 pts ▸ 1.3%

0.3% Greek +0.4 pts ▸ 0.7%

0.1% Vietnamese +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

Language

Language used at home

83.8% English only ◂ +0.2 pts 83.7%

1.1% Tagalog ◂ +0.5 pts 0.5%

0.4% Mandarin ◂ +0.1 pts 0.3%

0.2% Italian +0.2 pts ▸ 0.4%

0.2% Punjabi even 0.2%

0.1% Vietnamese +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

0.0% Greek +0.2 pts ▸ 0.2%

0.2% Hindi even 0.2%

0.1% Cantonese even 0.2%

0.1% Arabic +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

Religion

Religious affiliation

50.0% Christianity ◂ +2.4 pts 47.6%

37.8% No religion +2.4 pts ▸ 40.2%

9.8% Not stated ◂ +0.4 pts 9.4%

0.7% Buddhism +0.1 pts ▸ 0.8%

0.8% Hinduism even 0.8%

0.5% Other religions +0.2 pts ▸ 0.6%

0.4% Islam +0.2 pts ▸ 0.6%

0.0% Judaism even 0.1%

Education & Qualifications

Highest year of school

48.1% Year 12 +6.9 pts ▸ 54.9%

24.9% Year 10 ◂ +3.4 pts 21.5%

9.2% Year 9 or below ◂ +1.3 pts 7.9%

7.5% Year 11 ◂ +0.4 pts 7.1%

Highest qualification level

40.1% Certificate III / IV ◂ +5.6 pts 34.5%

17.5% Bachelor degree +3.9 pts ▸ 21.5%

11.9% Advanced diploma / diploma +1.8 pts ▸ 13.7%

3.6% Postgraduate degree +2.3 pts ▸ 5.9%

2.6% Graduate diploma / certificate +0.7 pts ▸ 3.3%

2.5% Certificate I / II +0.1 pts ▸ 2.6%

Field of qualification

22.4% Engineering & related ◂ +6.6 pts 15.8%

14.2% Management & commerce +0.7 pts ▸ 15.0%

10.3% Health +2.2 pts ▸ 12.6%

8.8% Society & culture +3.7 pts ▸ 12.6%

7.8% Education +0.1 pts ▸ 7.9%

5.6% Food, hospitality & personal services +0.1 pts ▸ 5.6%

5.5% Architecture & building ◂ +0.3 pts 5.2%

1.5% Natural & physical sciences +1.4 pts ▸ 2.9%

1.6% Creative arts +0.4 pts ▸ 2.0%

1.1% Information technology +0.5 pts ▸ 1.6%

1.2% Agriculture & environment +0.3 pts ▸ 1.5%

Income

Personal income in Mackay in Townsville +$14 higher in Mackay gap narrowing

$886 87th pct $872 86th pct

Household income in Mackay in Townsville +$117 higher in Mackay gap widening

$1,834 85th pct $1,717 77th pct

Family income in Mackay in Townsville +$129 higher in Mackay gap widening

$2,224 86th pct $2,095 77th pct

Household income distribution

29.5% $1,500–$2,999 +2.7 pts ▸ 32.2%

22.4% $650–$1,499 +3.8 pts ▸ 26.2%

14.8% Under $650 ◂ +0.8 pts 14.0%

11.1% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +0.9 pts 10.2%

10.5% $4,000 or more ◂ +2.0 pts 8.6%

Personal income distribution

34.4% Under $650 +0.7 pts ▸ 35.1%

30.2% $650–$1,499 +3.1 pts ▸ 33.3%

20.0% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +0.9 pts 19.1%

4.8% $3,000 or more ◂ +1.8 pts 3.0%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

8.4% Mental health +2.0 pts ▸ 10.4%

7.9% Arthritis +0.6 pts ▸ 8.6%

7.0% Other condition +1.3 pts ▸ 8.3%

7.8% Asthma +0.3 pts ▸ 8.2%

4.6% Diabetes even 4.6%

4.2% Heart disease ◂ +0.2 pts 3.9%

2.7% Cancer +0.2 pts ▸ 2.9%

1.8% Lung condition +0.1 pts ▸ 2.0%

0.9% Stroke even 0.9%

0.8% Dementia even 0.7%

Number of long-term health conditions

61.6% None ◂ +0.9 pts 60.7%

18.3% One condition +0.9 pts ▸ 19.1%

5.5% Two conditions +0.5 pts ▸ 6.1%

3.0% Three or more +0.3 pts ▸ 3.3%

Community Participation

Family & Households

Household size in Mackay in Townsville even gap narrowing

2.5 71st pct 2.5 71st pct

Family composition

55.9% Couples with children ◂ +2.1 pts 53.8%

27.1% Couples without children ◂ +0.2 pts 27.0%

15.8% One-parent families +2.1 pts ▸ 17.9%

1.2% Other families +0.2 pts ▸ 1.3%

Household size

34.5% 2 people +0.1 pts ▸ 34.6%

25.9% 1 person +0.3 pts ▸ 26.2%

15.4% 3 people +0.8 pts ▸ 16.2%

14.7% 4 people ◂ +0.7 pts 13.9%

6.5% 5 people ◂ +0.6 pts 5.9%

3.1% 6 or more +0.1 pts ▸ 3.2%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Mackay in Townsville +$39 higher in Mackay gap widening

$349 71st pct $310 57th pct

Mortgage in Mackay in Townsville +$216 higher in Mackay gap widening

$1,733 71st pct $1,517 46th pct

People / bedroom in Mackay in Townsville even gap steady

0.80 57th pct 0.80 57th pct

How homes are owned or rented

33.0% Rented +5.3 pts ▸ 38.3%

36.6% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +1.4 pts 35.3%

26.2% Owned outright ◂ +2.7 pts 23.5%

2.1% Other tenure ◂ +0.6 pts 1.5%

2.1% Not stated ◂ +0.7 pts 1.4%

Types of homes

81.2% Separate house ◂ +1.1 pts 80.1%

12.3% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +0.7 pts 11.6%

4.8% Flat or apartment +2.6 pts ▸ 7.5%

1.2% Other dwelling ◂ +0.7 pts 0.6%

Bedrooms per home

41.3% 3 bedrooms ◂ +2.1 pts 39.2%

32.7% 4 bedrooms +0.6 pts ▸ 33.3%

14.3% 2 bedrooms +1.9 pts ▸ 16.2%

5.4% 5 or more +0.7 pts ▸ 6.1%

3.8% 1 bedroom ◂ +0.4 pts 3.4%

0.4% Studio / none ◂ +0.1 pts 0.4%

Weekly rent distribution

35.0% $200–$349 +14.4 pts ▸ 49.4%

43.7% $350–$549 ◂ +10.5 pts 33.2%

13.1% Under $200 ◂ +1.2 pts 11.9%

3.8% $550–$749 ◂ +1.9 pts 2.0%

0.5% $750 or more ◂ +0.1 pts 0.4%

Monthly mortgage distribution

40.3% $1,000–$1,799 +4.1 pts ▸ 44.4%

32.1% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +6.5 pts 25.6%

13.4% Under $1,000 +4.2 pts ▸ 17.6%

8.3% $3,000 or more ◂ +1.1 pts 7.2%

Transport & Vehicles

How people get to work

72.3% Car (driver) ◂ +1.2 pts 71.1%

5.6% Car (passenger) ◂ +0.2 pts 5.5%

4.2% Worked at home +0.6 pts ▸ 4.8%

1.7% Walked +0.4 pts ▸ 2.1%

1.4% Bus ◂ +0.5 pts 0.9%

0.6% Bicycle +0.4 pts ▸ 1.0%

0.0% Train even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

39.6% 2 vehicles +0.3 pts ▸ 39.9%

34.0% 1 vehicle +1.3 pts ▸ 35.4%

14.2% 3 vehicles ◂ +1.2 pts 13.0%

7.1% 4 or more ◂ +0.9 pts 6.2%

5.1% No vehicle +0.5 pts ▸ 5.5%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

15.0% Health care & social assistance +2.8 pts ▸ 17.8%

4.3% Public administration & safety +8.6 pts ▸ 12.9%

11.0% Mining ◂ +8.3 pts 2.7%

9.7% Retail trade ◂ +0.4 pts 9.3%

7.5% Education & training +2.0 pts ▸ 9.5%

8.2% Construction +0.1 pts ▸ 8.4%

6.6% Accommodation & food +0.9 pts ▸ 7.5%

5.7% Manufacturing ◂ +1.3 pts 4.4%

5.2% Transport & warehousing ◂ +1.0 pts 4.2%

5.1% Other services ◂ +1.2 pts 3.9%

4.5% Professional & technical +0.1 pts ▸ 4.5%

3.9% Wholesale trade ◂ +2.0 pts 1.9%

Occupations people work in

16.7% Professionals +3.3 pts ▸ 20.0%

19.6% Technicians & trades ◂ +5.2 pts 14.4%

11.2% Community & personal service +5.3 pts ▸ 16.5%

11.6% Clerical & administrative +0.8 pts ▸ 12.3%

11.1% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +3.8 pts 7.3%

10.1% Labourers ◂ +0.9 pts 9.3%

9.0% Managers +1.0 pts ▸ 9.9%

8.9% Sales workers ◂ +0.2 pts 8.7%

Walkability

Walk score in Mackay in Townsville +0.2 higher in Mackay

5.2 59th pct 5.1 53rd pct

Types ≤15 min in Mackay in Townsville +0.1 more in Mackay

5.0 60th pct 4.9 56th pct

15-min city in Mackay in Townsville +2.1 pts higher in Townsville

56.6% 57th pct 58.8% 61st pct

Walk to shops in Mackay in Townsville +10.0 pts higher in Mackay

63.9% 75th pct 54.0% 49th pct

Walk to transit in Mackay in Townsville +1.0 pts higher in Townsville

81.5% 44th pct 82.5% 48th pct

Walk to school in Mackay in Townsville +3.1 pts higher in Mackay

64.5% 52nd pct 61.4% 42nd pct

Walk to a park in Mackay in Townsville +5.3 pts higher in Mackay

96.5% 91st pct 91.2% 58th pct

Walk to health in Mackay in Townsville +1.2 pts higher in Townsville

43.4% 61st pct 44.7% 63rd pct

Amenities/1k in Mackay in Townsville +4.6 more in Mackay

14.3 46th pct 9.7 10th pct

Intersections/km² in Mackay in Townsville +14 higher in Mackay

43 81st pct 29 67th pct

Mean slope in Mackay in Townsville +0.1 pts higher in Townsville

3.8% 25th pct 3.9% 26th 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 Townsville with nearby areas

Airlie Beach - Cannonvale Cairns Mackay Emerald Not in any Significant Urban Area Rockhampton Yeppoon Gladstone Mount Isa Bundaberg Hervey Bay Maryborough

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Mackay vs Townsville [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sua/3011/mackay/vs/3017/townsville