Maclean (NSW)

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According to investigations of ABS population revisions for the surrounding region, alongside new address points verified by Districts after the Census, the resident count for the suburb of Maclean is approximated at 2,832 in May 2026. This represents a rise of 54 people (1.9%) relative to the 2021 Census, which documented 2,778 people. The adjustment is calculated using the resident population of 2,792, calculated by Districts through analysis of the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) combined with 13 validated new addresses registered since the Census date. This population level yields a density of 291 persons per square kilometer, indicating substantial area per resident and possible capacity for future expansion. The post-census expansion of 1.9% in the suburb of Maclean sits within 2.7 percentage points of the broader SA4 region (4.6%), showing competitive expansion characteristics. Growth in the suburb of Maclean was largely propelled by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 72.0% of the total demographic growth over the recent period.

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The workforce of the suburb of Maclean displays a balanced mix of professional and manual roles, with key service sectors heavily represented and an unemployment rate of 6.5% based on compiled regional data from Districts. In March 2026845 residents are employed, while the jobless rate is 2.4% higher than the Regional NSW rate of 4.1%, and labor market participation is notably lower at 37.3% compared to 60.6% in Regional NSW. Census records indicate that a minor 10.0% of the workforce operated from home, though the influence of COVID-19 restriction periods should be taken into account.

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The most recent postcode-level ATO statistics for financial year 2023 indicate that incomes in the suburb of Maclean are below national benchmarks, with a median of $36,112 and an average of $46,727. In comparison, Regional NSW recorded a median income of $52,390 and an average of $65,215. Adjusting for WPI growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current figures are estimated at approximately $39,839 for the median and $51,549 for the average as of March 2026. According to Census records, household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Maclean all rank between the 2nd and 5th percentiles nationally. The largest income bracket contains 31.8% of the population earning $400 - 799 per week (900 residents), which differs from wider regional trends where the - range is most common at . The high proportion of lower-income households ( below weekly) points to tight family budgets across the suburb. Housing affordability constraints are highly pronounced, with only of income remaining after housing costs, placing the area in the th percentile.

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Residential architecture in the suburb of Maclean at the time of the last Census consisted of 87.6% houses and 12.3% alternative dwellings such as townhouses, units, and other property types, compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% alternative dwellings in Regional NSW. Home ownership in the suburb of Maclean was higher than the regional average at 47.7%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (20.0%) or occupied by tenants (32.3%). The median monthly home loan payment was lower than the Regional NSW average at $1,387, while the median weekly rental cost was recorded at $330, compared to Regional NSW figures of $1,733 and $330. Nationally, mortgage costs in the suburb of Maclean are lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are below the national benchmark of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 63.0%, which includes 15.9% couples raising children, 32.6% couples without children at home, and 13.3% single parent arrangements. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 37.0%, consisting of single-person households at 34.5% and group households at 2.5%. The median household size of 2.1 persons is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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Educational benchmarks in the area are low, with university graduation rates at 17.5% sitting well below the state average of 32.2%. This presents a challenge but also an opportunity for targeted learning programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 11.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees (2.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational and technical training is prominent, with 39.4% of residents aged 15+ holding trade qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.3%) and certificates (29.1%).

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Analysis of regional transport reveals 32 active passenger connections operating in the suburb of Maclean, consisting of bus services. These points of connection are serviced by 49 separate routes, which combine to provide 438 weekly passenger services. Transit access is rated as good, with residents living an average of 234 meters from the nearest service point. Because it is a residential area, the majority of working residents travel outward for employment, with private vehicles being the primary mode at 86%, while 11% walk. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per residence, which is below the wider regional average. A minor 10.0% of working residents work from home, based on the 2021 Census, which may reflect the impact of COVID-19 conditions.

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Significant health concerns are apparent in the suburb of Maclean based on Districts assessment of mortality and chronic disease data, which impact both younger and older residents, while the level of private medical insurance is low at approximately 46% of the population (~1,288 people). This compares to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a nationwide average of 55.7%.

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The suburb of Maclean shows lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with citizens making up 89.8% of the population, 88.4% born locally in Australia, and 95.3% speaking only English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, representing 58.5% of residents, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

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The median age of 56 years in the suburb of Maclean is much higher than the Regional NSW average of 43 and the national average of 38 years. The 75 - 84 age bracket is highly represented at 15.1% compared to Regional NSW, while the 25 - 34 cohort is less common at 7.6%. This concentration of residents aged 75 - 84 is also higher than the national figure of 6.1%. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 7.1% to 9.1% of the population, and the 75 to 84 group rose from 13.4% to 15.1%. Conversely, the 55 to bracket fell from to , and the to group declined from to . Looking forward to population projections show major shifts in the age profile, with the + bracket showing the highest projected growth of to add residents and reach . Overall aging is set to continue, with seniors aged and older accounting for of projected growth, while population declines are anticipated for the to and to brackets.

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Maclean currently has an estimated 130 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 79 children aged 0-2 and 52 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 0% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 12% by 2041 (to approximately 146 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 225. Birth rates in the area have averaged 7.9 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 30% of areas assessed nationally).