Macarthur · Statistical Area 2 (SA2)

Economy & Advantage in Macarthur

How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.

A massive gap in wealth separates Macarthur from most other areas, with an overall advantage score of 1,116. This makes it one of the most advantaged places in the country, though its small population of 1,387 has actually shrunk slightly since the last census.

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📍 Macarthur, Statistical Area 2 (SA2)

Where Macarthur sits — Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)

10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

All statistical area 2 (sa2) areas, 2021. The marker is Macarthur — higher than 99% of areas.

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile) compared with the state and national average
Macarthur10
2904, ACT 9

Socio-economic advantage

SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.

Residents here have some of the highest levels of wealth and resources in the nation. This is reflected in an education and job skills score of 9, which is higher than about 90% of similar areas.

10

Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.

ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.

10

Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.

ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.

10

Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.

ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.

9

Higher than 86% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.

ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.

1,116

Higher than 90% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.

ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.

Population growth

Annual population estimates and change since the census.

The population has fallen by 0.8% since 2021. This is well below the Australian Capital Territory's growth rate of 7.1%.

Business & building

Operating businesses and dwellings approved.

There are 78 businesses operating in the area, which is among the smallest number of businesses for a place at this level.

78

Lower than 97% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.

Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.

Sources

  • Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) — Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 (CC BY 4.0).
  • Regional Population (Estimated Resident Population) — Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2024 (CC BY 4.0).
  • Counts of Australian Businesses & Building Approvals — Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2025 (CC BY 4.0).

More for Macarthur

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Macarthur [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/801071083/macarthur/topic/economy-advantage