South Maclean (Qld)

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South Maclean has an estimated population of approximately 3,650 as of May 2026, calculated from ABS demographic updates and validated street addresses compiled by Districts since the Census. This represents a growth of 1,418 residents (63.5%) from the 2,232 people recorded during the 2021 Census. The calculation is based on an estimated resident population of 3,487 derived from the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with 764 new addresses verified since the Census. The suburb of South Maclean shows a density of 206 individuals per square kilometer, which indicates low density and potential for expansion. The growth rate of 63.5% since the 2021 census is higher than both the state and national averages of 9.3%, positioning the suburb as a major growth hub. This increase was mostly fueled by interstate arrivals, which made up about 85.0% of the total growth, though natural increase and overseas arrivals also made positive contributions.

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The local workforce features a mix of blue-collar and white-collar workers, with construction sector jobs being highly represented. The unemployment rate is low at 4.0%. As of March 2026, there are 1,663 employed residents. The unemployment rate sits 0.3% below the Greater Brisbane average of 4.3%, while workforce participation is notably lower at 63.0% compared to Greater Brisbane's 70.4%. Census figures show that 14.5% of the workforce worked from home, though this may have been influenced by pandemic restrictions.

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ATO records from the financial year 2023 show tax-paying residents in South Maclean recorded a median income of $52,813 and an average of $60,049. These figures are below the national average and compare to $58,236 and $72,799 across Greater Brisbane. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 11.36% since the financial year 2023, updated estimates for March 2026 stand at roughly $58,813 for the median and $66,871 for the average. Census data places local household income at the 69th percentile ($2,061 weekly) and individual income at the 45th percentile. The most common weekly household income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, containing 40.2% of households (1,467 people), compared to 33.3% across the wider region. Housing expenses account for of local income, but disposable income remains relatively high at the th percentile, and the area sits in the th decile of the SEIFA index.

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Housing options in South Maclean at the latest Census consisted almost entirely of standalone houses at 99.6%, with other options like townhouses and apartments accounting for 0.4%, compared to the Brisbane metropolitan breakdown of 73.5% houses and 26.5% other dwellings. The home ownership rate matches the metropolitan average of 27.4%, with the remaining properties being purchased via a mortgage (60.2%) or rented (12.4%). The median mortgage payment of $1,950 per month is higher than the Brisbane metro average of $1,863, and the median rent of $470 per week is also higher than the metro average of $380. Locally, mortgage repayments exceed the Australian average of $1,863, while weekly rents are also above the national median of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 85.2%, consisting of couples with children at 40.5%, couples without children at 30.6%, and single parents at 12.7%. Non-family living arrangements account for 14.8% of the total, with lone person households at 12.4% and group homes at 1.9%. The median household size of 3.1 people is larger than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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Educational profiles show that university qualification rates are low at 12.3%, compared to the Greater Brisbane average of 30.5%. Bachelor degrees are held by 9.0% of residents, while graduate diplomas make up 1.8% and postgraduate degrees account for 1.5%. Technical and trade qualifications are common, with 44.8% of residents aged 15 and over holding vocational credentials, comprising advanced diplomas at 9.9% and certificates at 34.9%.

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Public transport options include 4 active stops in the area, which are serviced by buses. There are 2 separate routes operating, which provide a total of 244 weekly passenger journeys. Commuters are located an average of 1151 meters from their nearest transit stop. The majority of residents travel outside the suburb for work, with private vehicles being the primary mode of travel for 93% of workers. Household vehicle ownership averages 2.4 cars per dwelling, which is higher than the regional average. In the 2021 Census, 14.5% of residents worked from home, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

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Health indicators suggest some challenges based on local mortality and chronic illness rates, with health conditions present across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is relatively low, held by approximately 51% of the population (~1,861 people), compared to the Greater Brisbane average of 55.8%.

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Cultural diversity measures are below average, with 88.6% of the population holding citizenship, 83.7% born locally, and 93.3% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the main religion, followed by 48.2% of residents. The largest religious variance is in the Other category, which accounts for 1.1% of the population compared to 1.3% across Greater Brisbane.

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The median age of 38 is slightly higher than the Greater Brisbane average of 36, matching the national figure of 38. The 55 - 64 age bracket is well represented at 13.8% of the population, while the 25 - 34 cohort is smaller at 9.3%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age group grew from 13.5% to 14.6%, while the 45 to 54 group declined from 14.9% to 13.6%. By 2041, demographic projections suggest the 45 to 54 age group will grow by 66% (an increase of 326 people) to reach residents, up from .

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South Maclean currently has an estimated 215 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 158 children aged 0-2 and 105 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 76% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 12% by 2041 (to approximately 240 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 447. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 15.1 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally.