Region (SA4) · Area profile
Mackay - Isaac - Whitsunday
90,140 km²
Full-time employment is much more common in Mackay - Isaac - Whitsunday than in most similar areas. This region is a high-earning community where typical weekly household incomes are above the national figure. It is a family-oriented place with a high proportion of detached houses and more children than usual. The population has grown by 8.4% since 2011, reflecting a steady increase in residents across the region.
Household incomes here are high, yet Mackay - Isaac - Whitsunday's schools draw a notably less advantaged community.
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The population is younger than most areas, with 19.7% being children under 15. About 6.0% of residents are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, a figure that has risen since 2011 and is a little above the national average.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has a much lower proportion of overseas-born people (12.5%) compared to both Queensland and the rest of the country.
English is the primary language here, with only 6.0% of people using another language at home. This is far below the national figure and reflects the low proportion of overseas-born residents.
Nearly 38% of people report no religion, which is about the same as the national figure. This is a significant increase from 2011, when only 20.3% identified this way.
Qualifications are lower than in most areas, with only 11.9% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Year 12 completion is also far below the national figure at 44.4%.
Income is a standout feature, as typical personal weekly earnings of $878 are above the national figure. Households earning $3,000 or more a week are more common here than in most other areas.
Residents report fewer long-term health conditions (25.2%) and lower rates of mental health conditions (7.6%) than the state and national averages.
Unpaid care for children is common at 26.5%, though the proportion of people volunteering (13.2%) is lower than in most similar areas.
First Nations residents in this area have a much higher typical personal income ($717) and unemployment rate (9.0%) that is well below the national figure.
Homes tend to be larger, with 2.5 people per household. Couples with children make up 56.6% of all families.
Detached houses are far more common here (83.5%) than across Australia. Typical weekly rent is $309, which is a little below the national figure.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, with 66.9% of people driving to work and very few using public transport. Only 4.3% of homes have no motor vehicle.
Migration is steady, with 40.2% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas (15.6%) are more common here than in the rest of the state.
Full-time employment is very high at 65.1%, well above the national figure. Mining is a major employer, accounting for 14.0% of all jobs.
The population has continued to grow since 2021, increasing by 5.8%.
The region experiences high average maximum temperatures of 30.5 degrees and average annual rainfall that is well above the Queensland average.
The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score of 3.5. Only 40% of homes have a 15-minute-city walkshed, far below the state average.