🔍

East Mackay

QLD 4740 • Rest of QLD

3,725
Population (2021)
$89,336
Median Household Income
3.65 km²
Area
$320/wk
Median Rent
CoastalEstablishedAffordable LivingFamily-Friendly

About East Mackay

East Mackay is a coastal suburb located just 2 kilometres southeast of the Mackay CBD in tropical North Queensland. With a population of around 3,700, it sits on flat, low-lying land bounded by the Pioneer River to the north and the Coral Sea to the east. The suburb has a relaxed, established character with a mix of older Queenslander homes and modern dwellings, attracting residents who value proximity to both the city centre and the coast.

Life in East Mackay centres around outdoor living and coastal recreation. Town Beach (Iluka Beach) and Illawong Beach offer swimming at high tide, while the Sandfly Creek Environmental Reserve provides walking trails through mangrove wetlands popular with birdwatchers. The suburb is within easy cycling distance of Mackay's shopping precincts, cafes, and restaurants, and has multiple schools within a 3-kilometre radius. East Mackay appeals to young families, professionals, and retirees seeking an affordable coastal lifestyle close to all amenities.

East Mackay falls under postcode 4740 and is governed by Mackay Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Mackay electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4740
Urban Area
Mackay
LGA / Council
Mackay
Federal Electorate
Dawson
State Electorate
Mackay
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-21.15°, 149.20°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
3.65 km²
Elevation
1m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$320
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,625
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
42 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.9%

42 state housing + 13 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Mackay Transit Route 1 — Mackay CBD via South Mackay 5-10 min
  • Mackay Transit Route 4 — Mackay CBD, North Mackay 10-15 min

Commute to Mackay CBD

Distance
2 km
By Bus
5-10 min
By Car (Peak)
5 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
3 min

🛣️ No passenger rail in Mackay urban area. Mackay station (long-distance Queensland Rail) is 3km away. Most residents drive or cycle to the CBD.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Flat terrain makes walking and cycling easy; CBD and beaches are within walking distance

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Mackay Local Government Area, which contains East Mackay. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
694.6 / 100k
2yr Down 16.1% 10yr Down 34.3%
Motor vehicle theft
316.5 / 100k
2yr Down 17.0% 10yr Up 42.1%
Non-FV assault
1,256 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 128.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
16.2 / 100k
2yr Down 26.7% 10yr Up 110.6%
Steal from vehicle
716.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
View all offence categories for Mackay →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,564
Census 2021
3,725
▲ 4.5% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$36,868
Personal Income 2021
$47,632
▲ 29.2% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$47,632 / yr
$916/wk
Household
$89,336 / yr
$1718/wk
Family
$114,660 / yr
$2205/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,863
Born Overseas 492

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 80
  • 2. Philippines 68
  • 3. England 65
  • 4. South Africa 36
  • 5. India 29
  • 6. Netherlands 15
  • 7. Canada 13
  • 8. China 10
  • 9. Ireland 10
  • 10. Nepal 10

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,480
Australian 1,177
Irish 483
Scottish 428
German 232
Italian 147
Australian Aboriginal 143
Filipino 85
Maltese 74
Dutch 68

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,327
Both parents born in Australia
600
Both parents born overseas
382
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
49.4%
No Religion
36.6%
Hinduism
0.8%
Buddhism
0.6%
Sikhism
0.2%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
186 (5.0%)
5-14 years
459 (12.3%)
15-19 years
223 (6.0%)
20-24 years
213 (5.7%)
25-34 years
452 (12.1%)
35-44 years
419 (11.2%)
45-54 years
533 (14.3%)
55-64 years
490 (13.2%)
65-74 years
369 (9.9%)
75-84 years
214 (5.7%)
85+ years
172 (4.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is East Mackay known for? +

East Mackay is a coastal suburb located just 2 kilometres southeast of the Mackay CBD in tropical North Queensland. With a population of around 3,700, it sits on flat, low-lying land bounded by the Pioneer River to the north and the Coral Sea to the east.

How far is East Mackay from Brisbane CBD? +

East Mackay is approximately 2 km from Mackay CBD. By car, the journey takes around 3 min off-peak and 5 min during peak hours.

Does East Mackay have public transport? +

East Mackay is served by bus routes connecting to Mackay CBD via South Mackay, though there is no direct rail service. A car is recommended for most journeys.

What is the population of East Mackay? +

According to the 2021 Census, East Mackay has a population of approximately 3,725 residents. It is a mid-sized suburb within the Mackay (Regional Council).

Is East Mackay a good place to live? +

East Mackay is a popular choice for those seeking a coastal lifestyle, offering beachside living and a relaxed community atmosphere. It suits retirees, families, and sea-changers looking to escape city life.

What is the postcode for East Mackay? +

The postcode for East Mackay, QLD is 4740.

What is the average income in East Mackay? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in East Mackay is about $916 per week (around $47,600 per year). The median household income is $1,718 per week and the median family income is $2,205 per week.

What is the age profile of East Mackay? +

The median age in East Mackay is 42. The largest age group is 45–54 (533 residents, around 14%). Around 23% of residents are under 20 and about 20% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is East Mackay a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. East Mackay is part of the Mackay LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in East Mackay? +

In East Mackay, the median weekly rent is $320, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,625 (2021 Census).