🔍

Sarina

QLD 4737 • Rest of QLD

5,619
Population (2021)
$83,460
Median Household Income
250.54 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyRuralAffordableHistoric
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About Sarina

Sarina is a regional town in the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday area of Central Queensland, located approximately 38 kilometres south of Mackay along the Bruce Highway. With a population of around 5,619 residents as recorded in the 2021 Census, it is the main service centre for the surrounding cane-farming district. The town sits at an elevation of about 69 metres on the edge of the Sarina Inlet and is part of the Mackay Regional Council local government area. Sarina's economy has historically been driven by sugar cane farming, with the Sarina Sugar Shed being a major tourist attraction.

Sarina offers an affordable, community-minded lifestyle typical of regional Queensland towns, with a median weekly rent of just $300 and a strong sense of local identity. The town has a good range of services including a Woolworths supermarket, schools from primary through secondary, and local sporting clubs. The demographic is broad-based, with a median age of 40 and a notable Indigenous community representing around 9.5% of residents. Families and retirees alike are drawn to Sarina's relaxed pace, affordable housing, and proximity to both Mackay's city amenities and the Whitsunday coast.

Sarina falls under postcode 4737 and is governed by the Mackay Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Capricornia, while state elections fall under the Mirani electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4737
Urban Area
Sarina
LGA / Council
Mackay
Federal Electorate
Capricornia
State Electorate
Mirani
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-21.44°, 149.18°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
250.54 km²
Population Density
22 /km²
Elevation
69m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4737

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4737, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$52,651
Median 2023–24
$64,738
▲ 23.0% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$79,170

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4737; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

Census personal income 2016 vs 2021

Personal Income 2016
$30,524
Personal Income 2021
$36,920
▲ 21.0% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

2021 Census income breakdown

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

Personal
$36,920 / yr
$710/wk
Household
$83,460 / yr
$1605/wk
Family
$99,684 / yr
$1917/wk
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.6 people
Median Age
40 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.1%

36 state housing + 25 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Greyhound / Queensland Rail coach connections — Mackay 35-40 min

Commute to Mackay CBD

Distance
38 km
By Train
No direct train service; Mackay is the nearest rail hub
By Car (Peak)
30-40 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
30 min

🛣️ Bruce Highway connects Sarina to Mackay; local bus services also available

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre is walkable; outer areas require a car

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    Broad Street Sarina 4737 QLD

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
5,522
Census 2021
5,619
▲ 1.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Mackay Local Government Area, which contains Sarina. 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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,598
Born Overseas 370

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 111
  • 2. England 69
  • 3. Philippines 49
  • 4. South Africa 29
  • 5. Thailand 10
  • 6. United States 9
  • 7. Germany 8
  • 8. India 8
  • 9. Scotland 7
  • 10. Zimbabwe 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 2,404
English 2,139
Scottish 530
Irish 511
Australian Aboriginal 419
German 336
Italian 110
Maltese 104
Dutch 68
Filipino 64

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace

4,094
Both parents born in Australia
462
Both parents born overseas
431
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
49.4%
No Religion
37.4%
Buddhism
0.4%
Islam
0.1%
Hinduism
0.1%

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📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
347 (6.2%)
5-14 years
755 (13.4%)
15-19 years
388 (6.9%)
20-24 years
301 (5.4%)
25-34 years
615 (10.9%)
35-44 years
684 (12.2%)
45-54 years
745 (13.3%)
55-64 years
784 (14.0%)
65-74 years
604 (10.7%)
75-84 years
287 (5.1%)
85+ years
107 (1.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Sarina from Mackay? +

Sarina is approximately 38 kilometres south of Mackay along the Bruce Highway, roughly a 30-40 minute drive.

What is the median rent in Sarina? +

According to the 2021 Census, the median weekly rent in Sarina is $300, making it significantly more affordable than major Queensland cities.

What schools are in Sarina? +

Sarina has several schools including Sarina State School, Sarina State High School, and St Anne's Catholic Primary School.

What is Sarina known for? +

Sarina is famous for its sugar cane industry. The Sarina Sugar Shed is a popular tourist attraction offering tours of a working miniature sugar mill.

What is the population of Sarina? +

Sarina had a population of 5,619 residents as recorded in the 2021 Census, with a median age of 40 years.

What is the average income in Sarina? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Sarina is about $710 per week (around $36,900 per year). The median household income is $1,605 per week and the median family income is $1,917 per week.

What is the age profile of Sarina? +

The median age in Sarina is 40. The largest age group is 55–64 (784 residents, around 14%). Around 27% of residents are under 20 and about 18% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Sarina a safe area? +

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

In Sarina, the median weekly rent is $300, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).