Urban Centre · Area profile
Mackay
136 km²
Set within a landscape of high accessibility, Mackay is a substantial regional hub with over 80,000 people. It is a relatively young community where the typical resident is 37, which is younger than the national figure. The area is marked by a strong working population and an increase in high-earning households, though its total population has shrunk by 17% since 2011. This is a place where family life and industry blend, supporting a higher proportion of children than most Australian areas.
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The community is younger than average, with 20.1% of people being children under 15. There is a notable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of 6.8%, which is well above the national figure and has risen since 2011.
Most residents were born in Australia, though 14.2% were born overseas, a figure that has risen since 2011. English, Australian, Irish and Scottish are the most common ancestries.
English is the main language for 83.9% of people, but 7.6% use another language at home, which is much higher than in most similar areas. Very few people, just 0.7%, speak little or no English.
About half the population identifies as Christian, while 38.2% report no religion. The proportion of people with no religion has risen sharply by 22 points since 2011.
A higher than usual number of adults have completed Year 12, and 14.2% hold a bachelor degree or higher. Qualifications are often in engineering, management, and health.
Typical incomes are much higher than in most areas, with the usual family earning $2,207 a week. The number of households earning $3,000 or more weekly has risen by 16 points since 2011.
Residents are generally healthier than in other similar areas, with 27% reporting a long-term health condition. Only 5.3% of people need help with daily activities.
More people here care for children unpaid than in most areas. However, the number of volunteers has fallen by 7.8 points since 2011, and fewer people do significant unpaid housework compared to the national figure.
Families with children make up 55.5% of households, and the typical home has 2.5 people. This is consistent with the area having a higher proportion of children than most other places.
Separate houses are very common, making up 80.6% of homes. Renting is more common here than in most areas, and the typical weekly rent of $345 has risen since 2016.
Most people drive to work, and only 4.1% work from home, which is far below the national figure. Very few people, just 1.4%, commute using public transport.
The population is quite mobile, with 42.2% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 14.4% of the community, though this is down from 2011.
The workforce is strong, with 64.1% of adults working or looking for work. Full-time employment is well above the national average, with many people working in health, mining, and retail.
The area is quite walkable, especially for those accessing parks and public transport. Nearly all homes are within a 15-minute walk of a park, and 85.1% are near public transport.