🔍

Mackay

QLD 4740 • Rest of QLD

4,026
Population (2021)
$64,428
Median Household Income
3.96 km²
Area
$270/wk
Median Rent
UrbanCBD-AdjacentTropicalMulticulturalMining Town

About Mackay

Mackay is the central urban suburb of Mackay city, a major regional centre in tropical North Queensland situated approximately 970 kilometres north of Brisbane on the Pioneer River and Coral Sea coastline. The suburb — which forms the commercial heart of the broader Mackay Regional Council area — has a population of 4,026, with a notably male-skewed demographic (2,163 males vs 1,864 females) reflecting the influence of the local sugar industry and coal and mining service sector. The median age of 38 and median household income of ,239 per week are broadly in line with regional Queensland averages, though the inner-city area supports a diverse mix of renters, workers, and long-term residents.

Mackay city centre offers a full range of urban amenities including the Caneland Central shopping centre, the Mackay Marina, the Pioneer River waterfront, and a variety of dining, entertainment, and professional services. The suburb has a significant Filipino-born community (241 residents born in the Philippines) as well as a notable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population (310 people, 7.7%). Mackay Airport provides regular flights to Brisbane, Cairns, and other Queensland destinations, and the area benefits from ongoing investment driven by Bowen Basin coal logistics and port activity. The inner suburb is compact and walkable by regional city standards, with most services accessible on foot or by short drive.

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

📰 Featured In

📰 Queensland Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4740
Urban Area
Mackay
LGA / Council
Mackay
Federal Electorate
Dawson
State Electorate
Mackay
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-21.14°, 149.18°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
3.96 km²
Elevation
9m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$270
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,387
Avg Household Size
1.9 people
Median Age
38 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
12.4%

180 state housing + 20 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Mackay Transit Routes 1-6 — Mackay CBD and suburban areas 10-25 min within city

Commute to Mackay CBD

Distance
1 km
By Train
No commuter rail service; Spirit of Queensland long-distance to Brisbane (~16 hrs)
By Car (Peak)
3-8 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2-5 min

🛣️ Mackay Airport is 3 km south with flights to Brisbane (1.5 hrs); Bruce Highway provides north-south road connection

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The inner-city precinct is walkable with shops, services, and the waterfront accessible on foot, though outer suburbs require a car

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    245 Bridge Road West Mackay 4740 QLD

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Mackay Local Government Area, which contains 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
3,659
Census 2021
4,026
▲ 10.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$31,460
Personal Income 2021
$43,420
▲ 38.0% 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
$43,420 / yr
$835/wk
Household
$64,428 / yr
$1239/wk
Family
$95,004 / yr
$1827/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,392
Born Overseas 947

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Philippines 241
  • 2. New Zealand 117
  • 3. India 99
  • 4. England 73
  • 5. China 36
  • 6. Thailand 32
  • 7. Nepal 29
  • 8. Malaysia 26
  • 9. South Africa 19
  • 10. Vietnam 19

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,188
Australian 1,050
Irish 371
Scottish 348
Filipino 258
Australian Aboriginal 230
German 181
Indian 107
Chinese 99
Italian 90

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,940
Both parents born in Australia
1,061
Both parents born overseas
318
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
38.1%
No Religion
36.4%
Hinduism
2.8%
Buddhism
1.7%
Islam
1.1%
Sikhism
0.7%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
159 (3.9%)
5-14 years
335 (8.3%)
15-19 years
184 (4.6%)
20-24 years
397 (9.9%)
25-34 years
746 (18.5%)
35-44 years
592 (14.7%)
45-54 years
541 (13.4%)
55-64 years
546 (13.6%)
65-74 years
320 (7.9%)
75-84 years
148 (3.7%)
85+ years
66 (1.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mackay known for? +

Mackay is known as Australia's sugar capital, producing a significant portion of the country's raw sugar, and as the gateway city to the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef. The city also serves as a major centre for the Bowen Basin coal mining industry.

How far is Mackay from Brisbane? +

Mackay is approximately 980 kilometres north of Brisbane, about a 10–11 hour drive via the Bruce Highway. Mackay Airport offers daily flights to Brisbane (approximately 1.5 hours) and connections to other Queensland cities.

Does Mackay have public transport? +

Mackay has a local bus network serving the city's suburbs, and Mackay Airport connects to Brisbane and major regional centres. The long-distance Spirit of Queensland rail service stops at Mackay on the Brisbane–Cairns route, though flights are more practical for inter-city travel.

What is the population of Mackay? +

According to the 2021 Census, the Mackay postcode area (4740) has approximately 4,026 residents in the central suburb, while the broader Mackay regional urban area has a population exceeding 120,000 people.

Is Mackay a good place to live? +

Mackay offers a tropical lifestyle with strong employment in mining, agriculture, healthcare, and tourism. The city has good schools, regional hospitals, retail centres, and easy access to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, making it a desirable regional city in North Queensland.

What is the postcode for Mackay? +

The postcode for Mackay central, QLD is 4740.

What is the average income in Mackay? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Mackay is about $835 per week (around $43,400 per year). The median household income is $1,239 per week and the median family income is $1,827 per week.

What is the age profile of Mackay? +

The median age in Mackay is 38. The largest age group is 25–34 (746 residents, around 19%). Around 17% of residents are under 20 and about 13% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Mackay a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. 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 Mackay? +

In Mackay, the median weekly rent is $270, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,387 (2021 Census).