🔍

West Mackay

QLD 4740 • Rest of QLD

6,536
Population (2021)
$88,192
Median Household Income
5.93 km²
Area
$320/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyAffordable

About West Mackay

West Mackay is an established residential suburb of Mackay in Queensland's Whitsunday Coast region, located approximately 3 kilometres west of the Mackay CBD. With a population of around 6,500 residents spread across 5.9 square kilometres, it is one of the larger suburbs in the Mackay urban area and falls within the Mackay Regional Council. The suburb sits at a low elevation on the coastal plains near the Pioneer River and is characterised by a mix of older post-war homes and mid-century housing.

West Mackay offers residents a range of everyday conveniences, including a Coles supermarket on Bridge Road and proximity to Mackay's broader retail and dining precinct. The Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens and Lagoons Reserve provide green space for recreation, while families are served by a number of schools and childcare facilities in the wider Mackay area. With a median age of 42 and a strong Anglo-Australian heritage, the suburb has a settled, family-oriented character and benefits from Mackay's role as a regional hub for the Central Queensland sugar and resources industries.

West 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°, 149.16°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
5.93 km²
Elevation
11m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$320
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,595
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
42 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
4.9%

103 state housing + 16 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Mackay Transit Coaches — Mackay CBD and surrounds 10–15 min

Commute to Mackay CBD

Distance
3 km
By Train
No train service; Mackay has no urban rail
By Car (Peak)
8–12 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
6–8 min

🛣️ Short drive to Mackay CBD via Bridge Road or Nebo Road

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Local shops and parks accessible on foot; footpaths along main roads

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    245 Bridge Road West Mackay 4740 QLD

🎓 Schools

🌳 Parks & Reserves

There are 7 parks and reserves in West Mackay.

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Mackay Local Government Area, which contains West 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
6,210
Census 2021
6,536
▲ 5.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$35,828
Personal Income 2021
$43,576
▲ 21.6% 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
$43,576 / yr
$838/wk
Household
$88,192 / yr
$1696/wk
Family
$116,064 / yr
$2232/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,009
Born Overseas 941

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Philippines 266
  • 2. New Zealand 121
  • 3. England 101
  • 4. India 59
  • 5. Malta 35
  • 6. South Africa 32
  • 7. Canada 21
  • 8. Fiji 21
  • 9. Italy 20
  • 10. Zimbabwe 20

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,404
Australian 2,360
Irish 755
Scottish 661
German 349
Filipino 307
Maltese 265
Italian 242
Australian Aboriginal 206
Indian 84

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

4,097
Both parents born in Australia
1,192
Both parents born overseas
592
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
57.1%
No Religion
30.6%
Hinduism
0.7%
Buddhism
0.7%
Islam
0.3%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
343 (5.2%)
5-14 years
757 (11.6%)
15-19 years
317 (4.9%)
20-24 years
415 (6.3%)
25-34 years
785 (12.0%)
35-44 years
849 (13.0%)
45-54 years
862 (13.2%)
55-64 years
806 (12.3%)
65-74 years
633 (9.7%)
75-84 years
431 (6.6%)
85+ years
350 (5.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is West Mackay from the Mackay CBD? +

West Mackay is approximately 3 kilometres west of the Mackay city centre, roughly a 8–12 minute drive via Bridge Road.

What shopping is available in West Mackay? +

West Mackay has a Coles supermarket on Bridge Road as well as smaller specialty shops, with Mackay's major retail precinct a short drive away.

What parks are in West Mackay? +

West Mackay is home to the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens, Lagoons Reserve, and several smaller neighbourhood parks including Col Story Rotary Park and Streeter Avenue Reserve.

What is the median rent in West Mackay? +

According to the 2021 Census, the median weekly rent in West Mackay is approximately $320, which is affordable relative to Queensland averages.

What schools serve West Mackay? +

West Mackay State School serves local primary-age students, while St Patrick's College Mackay provides Catholic secondary education nearby.

What is the average income in West Mackay? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in West Mackay is about $838 per week (around $43,600 per year). The median household income is $1,696 per week and the median family income is $2,232 per week.

What is the age profile of West Mackay? +

The median age in West Mackay is 42. The largest age group is 45–54 (862 residents, around 13%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 22% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is West Mackay a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. West 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.

What is the population of West Mackay? +

West Mackay had a population of 6,536 at the 2021 Census, up 5.2% from 6,210 in 2016.

How much is rent in West Mackay? +

In West Mackay, the median weekly rent is $320, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,595 (2021 Census).