🔍

Ooralea

QLD 4740 • Rest of QLD

3,691
Population (2021)
$116,896
Median Household Income
5.50 km²
Area
$440/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyGrowth SuburbUniversity TownMining RegionTropical

About Ooralea

Ooralea is a growing residential suburb located approximately 8 km south of Mackay CBD in tropical North Queensland. Home to around 3,691 residents with a median age of 35, it is a family-oriented community with strong ties to the mining and sugar industries that drive the Mackay region. The suburb is home to CQUniversity's Mackay campus, giving it a youthful energy alongside its established family demographic.

Ooralea offers a relaxed suburban lifestyle with newer housing estates, good access to Mackay's retail centres, and proximity to the Pioneer Valley. Families are drawn to the suburb for its relatively affordable housing, quality schools, and community feel. The suburb's residents enjoy easy access to Mackay's beaches, the Bluewater Lagoon, and regional parks, making it a popular choice for those working in the resources sector who want a comfortable home base.

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

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4740
Urban Area
Mackay
LGA / Council
Mackay
Federal Electorate
Capricornia
State Electorate
Mirani
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-21.18°, 149.14°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
5.50 km²
Elevation
12m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$440
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,820
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
35 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Mackay Transit Route 5 — Mackay CBD 20 min
  • CQUniversity Shuttle — Mackay CBD / Campus 15 min

Commute to Mackay CBD

Distance
8 km
By Train
N/A - no suburban rail
By Bus
20-25 min
By Car (Peak)
12-15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
10 min

🛣️ Mackay railway station (in CBD) services the Spirit of Queensland long-distance train. No suburban rail network exists.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most errands require a car due to suburban layout, though the university precinct is walkable within itself.

🛒 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 Ooralea. 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
3,366
Census 2021
3,691
▲ 9.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$44,252
Personal Income 2021
$51,792
▲ 17.0% 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
$51,792 / yr
$996/wk
Household
$116,896 / yr
$2248/wk
Family
$126,256 / yr
$2428/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,964
Born Overseas 495

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Philippines 85
  • 2. India 72
  • 3. New Zealand 62
  • 4. England 38
  • 5. Bangladesh 25
  • 6. Malta 23
  • 7. China 22
  • 8. Italy 16
  • 9. Nepal 15
  • 10. South Africa 14

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,431
English 1,316
Irish 392
Scottish 390
German 216
Italian 164
Maltese 154
Indian 112
Filipino 111
Australian Aboriginal 89

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,449
Both parents born in Australia
671
Both parents born overseas
339
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
55.9%
No Religion
31.6%
Hinduism
2.2%
Islam
1.5%
Buddhism
0.5%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
268 (7.3%)
5-14 years
503 (13.6%)
15-19 years
228 (6.2%)
20-24 years
257 (7.0%)
25-34 years
558 (15.1%)
35-44 years
595 (16.1%)
45-54 years
407 (11.0%)
55-64 years
399 (10.8%)
65-74 years
295 (8.0%)
75-84 years
138 (3.7%)
85+ years
42 (1.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ooralea known for? +

Ooralea is known as one of Mackay's growing residential suburbs, with newer housing estates attracting families and workers in the city's mining, sugar, and services industries. The suburb is conveniently located near the Bruce Highway and Mackay's major retail and commercial precincts.

How far is Ooralea from Mackay CBD? +

Ooralea is approximately 8 kilometres south of Mackay CBD, about a 10–15 minute drive. Mackay Airport is nearby, providing flights to Brisbane (approximately 1.5 hours) and other Queensland cities.

Does Ooralea have public transport? +

Ooralea is served by Mackay Transit Coach bus routes connecting to Mackay CBD (approximately 20–25 minutes). There is no suburban rail service in Mackay; buses and cars are the main transport options.

What is the population of Ooralea? +

According to the 2021 Census, Ooralea has a population of approximately 3,691 residents, reflecting the suburb's growth as a key residential area in the Mackay Region.

Is Ooralea a good place to live? +

Ooralea suits families and workers seeking affordable housing close to Mackay's amenities and the Bruce Highway for regional travel. The tropical climate, proximity to the Whitsundays, and reasonable property prices make it an attractive option for North Queensland living.

What is the postcode for Ooralea? +

The postcode for Ooralea, QLD is 4740.

What is the average income in Ooralea? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Ooralea is about $996 per week (around $51,800 per year). The median household income is $2,248 per week and the median family income is $2,428 per week.

What is the age profile of Ooralea? +

The median age in Ooralea is 35. The largest age group is 35–44 (595 residents, around 16%). Around 27% of residents are under 20 and about 13% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Ooralea a safe area? +

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

In Ooralea, the median weekly rent is $440, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,820 (2021 Census).