North Mackay (Qld)

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Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by Districts since the Census North Mackay's population is estimated at around 6,353 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 159 people (2.6%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,194 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 6,331, estimated by Districts following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and an additional 21 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 914 persons per square kilometer, which is relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by Districts. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 77.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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Based on local statistics aggregated by Districts, the suburb of North Mackay has a diverse workforce composed of both professional and industrial employees, with manufacturing fields heavily represented. The unemployment rate is 4.8%, and the local job market grew by an estimated 4.1% over the prior year. In March 2026, the employed resident population stood at 3,281, while the jobless rate was 0.9% higher than the 3.9% recorded in Regional Qld. The labor participation rate matched the Regional Qld level of 64.3%. Census data indicates that a minor 4.2% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic restrictions.

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The suburb of North Mackay has a median taxpayer income of $54,531 and an average income of $68,183, based on ATO statistics for the financial year 2023. This is close to the national average, whereas Regional Qld recorded a median of $53,146 and an average of $66,593. Applying the Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since the financial year 2023, updated estimates suggest figures of roughly $60,726 for the median and $75,929 for the average in March 2026. The 2021 Census placed personal earnings at the 46th percentile ($786 per week), while household income fell in the 26th percentile. A breakdown shows the largest bracket is the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which contains 30.2% of residents (1,918 people), matching the regional proportion of in the same category. Financial pressure from housing costs is significant, leaving residents with only of their income, which ranks in the th percentile nationally.

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The housing profile of the suburb of North Mackay at the time of the last Census consisted of 76.6% detached houses and 23.4% other residences such as townhouses and flats, which closely aligns with the Regional Qld breakdown of 76.4% houses and 23.6% other property types. However, home ownership was lower than the regional rate, standing at 28.6%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents holding a mortgage (31.7%) or paying rent (39.7%). The median monthly home loan payment was $1,448, which is lower than the Regional Qld average of $1,655. The median weekly rent was $300, compared to $345 regionally. On a national level, mortgage commitments in the area are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rent payments are below the countrywide median of $375.

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Families make up the majority of homes at 61.8%, which is split between couples with children at 21.5%, couples without children at 25.2%, and single parents at 13.4%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 38.2% of households, with single-person households representing 34.3% and shared group households making up 3.8% of the total. The median household occupancy is 2.2 people, which is slightly smaller than the Regional Qld average of 2.5.

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The local community experiences lower rates of tertiary education, with 15.5% of residents holding a university degree compared to the national average of 30.4%. This highlights a clear opportunity for targeted educational programs. Among university graduates, bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.0%, while postgraduate degrees account for 1.8% and graduate diplomas make up 1.7%. Vocational and technical skills are highly prevalent, with 41.8% of the population aged 15 and over possessing trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.2% and certificates at 33.6%.

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An analysis of the transit network shows 24 active transport stops in the suburb of North Mackay, which are serviced by buses. These stops accommodate 5 different routes, which provide a total of 346 passenger journeys each week. Access to transit is rated highly, with homes located an average of 248 meters from their nearest stop. Because the area is mostly residential, most workers travel out of the suburb, with private cars being the primary mode of travel for 93% of commuters. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per home, which is lower than the regional average. A low 4.2% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which was potentially affected by pandemic lockdowns.

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Health assessments indicate that the suburb of North Mackay faces notable challenges, based on mortality statistics and the prevalence of long-term conditions across both younger and older demographics. Meanwhile, the proportion of residents with private health insurance is relatively high, covering approximately 54% of the population, which equals about 3,444 people.

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The suburb of North Mackay has a lower level of cultural diversity than average, with citizens making up 86.7% of the population, 86.7% of residents born in Australia, and 93.0% of households speaking only English. The primary religious affiliation is Christianity, which is practiced by 56.0% of the local population, compared to 52.2% across Regional Qld.

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The median age in the suburb of North Mackay is 40, which is similar to the Regional Qld median of 41 and slightly higher than the national average of 38. Young adults aged 25 to 34 represent a significant portion of the population at 17.4%, which is higher than the regional average, whereas children aged 5 to 14 are less common at 9.7%. Since the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age bracket expanded from 14.5% to 17.4%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 11.4% to 9.7%, and the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 12.2% to 11.1%. Demographic projections suggest the local age profile will shift considerably by . Leading this change, the to group is expected to grow by (an increase of people), growing from to . On the other hand, population drops are expected for the to and to age groups.

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North Mackay currently has an estimated 374 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 221 children aged 0-2 and 146 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 6% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 15% by 2041 (to approximately 431 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 487. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 12.2 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.