Mackay vs South Mackay

In Mackay, most households rent and most households are people living alone. In South Mackay, most households own their home and most homes are detached houses. Houses cost more in South Mackay: a median of $605,000, against $540,000 in Mackay, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Mackay tends to suit renters, young adults, and people living alone, while South Mackay suits families with children.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

South Mackay

ahead on 5 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more separate houses rather than flats (74% vs 26%)
  • has more parks and reserves (18 vs 7)
  • has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Mackay

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper houses ($540,000 vs $605,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Mackay

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (68% vs 39%)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Mackay

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (92/100 vs 49/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Mackay

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (11 vs 0)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (74% vs 26%)
  • is more walkable (92/100 vs 49/100)
  • But South Mackay carries lower crime risk (70/100 vs 98/100)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

They split

one each way, out of the 3 things we measure here

  • Mackay is growing faster (10.0% vs 3.2%)
  • South Mackay returns a higher gross yield on units (6.9% vs 5.8%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

Mackay and South Mackay drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Mackay South Mackay
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Mackay South Mackay
Walkability 92 / 49
Mackay — Walkability: 92/100 South Mackay — Walkability: 49/100
Safety 2 / 30
Mackay — Safety: 2/100 South Mackay — Safety: 30/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Mackay — Low fire risk: 100/100 South Mackay — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

South Mackay has more residents (6,918 vs 4,026); South Mackay has higher household incomes ($76,804 vs $64,428).

Mackay South Mackay
Population 4,026 6,918
+72% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +10.0% +3.2%
Median age 38 39
Median household income $64,428/yr $76,804/yr
+19% vs other
Median weekly rent $270/wk $290/wk
+7% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Mackay South Mackay
0-4 3.9% / 6.1%
Mackay — 0-4: 3.9% South Mackay — 0-4: 6.1%
5-14 8.3% / 12.2%
Mackay — 5-14: 8.3% South Mackay — 5-14: 12.2%
15-19 4.6% / 5.9%
Mackay — 15-19: 4.6% South Mackay — 15-19: 5.9%
20-24 9.9% / 6.0%
Mackay — 20-24: 9.9% South Mackay — 20-24: 6.0%
25-34 18.5% / 13.8%
Mackay — 25-34: 18.5% South Mackay — 25-34: 13.8%
35-44 14.7% / 12.8%
Mackay — 35-44: 14.7% South Mackay — 35-44: 12.8%
45-54 13.4% / 12.4%
Mackay — 45-54: 13.4% South Mackay — 45-54: 12.4%
55-64 13.6% / 13.5%
Mackay — 55-64: 13.6% South Mackay — 55-64: 13.5%
65-74 7.9% / 9.7%
Mackay — 65-74: 7.9% South Mackay — 65-74: 9.7%
75-84 3.7% / 5.6%
Mackay — 75-84: 3.7% South Mackay — 75-84: 5.6%
85+ 1.6% / 2.0%
Mackay — 85+: 1.6% South Mackay — 85+: 2.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.5%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Mackay 59.6% lone person
Mackay — Lone Person: 59.6% Mackay — Couple Families: 16.7% Mackay — One Parent Families: 13.2% Mackay — Group Household: 7.8% Mackay — Other Families: 2.8%
South Mackay 44.9% lone person
South Mackay — Lone Person: 44.9% South Mackay — Couple Families: 30.8% South Mackay — One Parent Families: 17.8% South Mackay — Group Household: 4.6% South Mackay — Other Families: 1.9%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Mackay 67.8% renting
Mackay — Owned Outright: 17.0% Mackay — Mortgage: 15.2% Mackay — Renting: 67.8%
South Mackay 39.1% renting
South Mackay — Owned Outright: 27.9% South Mackay — Mortgage: 33.0% South Mackay — Renting: 39.1%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Mackay South Mackay
Certificate III & IV 16.0% / 20.0%
Mackay — Certificate III & IV: 16.0% South Mackay — Certificate III & IV: 20.0%
Bachelor Degree 9.4% / 7.0%
Mackay — Bachelor Degree: 9.4% South Mackay — Bachelor Degree: 7.0%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 5.3% / 5.1%
Mackay — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 5.3% South Mackay — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 5.1%
Postgraduate Degree 2.9% / 1.1%
Mackay — Postgraduate Degree: 2.9% South Mackay — Postgraduate Degree: 1.1%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.1% / 1.0%
Mackay — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.1% South Mackay — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (20.0%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Mackay South Mackay
Philippines 6.0% / 4.8%
Mackay — Philippines: 6.0% South Mackay — Philippines: 4.8%
New Zealand 2.9% / 2.6%
Mackay — New Zealand: 2.9% South Mackay — New Zealand: 2.6%
England 1.8% / 1.4%
Mackay — England: 1.8% South Mackay — England: 1.4%
India 2.5% / 0.5%
Mackay — India: 2.5% South Mackay — India: 0.5%
China 0.9% / 0.4%
Mackay — China: 0.9% South Mackay — China: 0.4%
South Africa — / 0.5%
Mackay — South Africa: not among its largest South Mackay — South Africa: 0.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (6.0%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Mackay 26.1% houses
Mackay — Houses: 26.1% Mackay — Townhouses: 42.7% Mackay — Flats / Apartments: 31.1%
South Mackay 73.5% houses
South Mackay — Houses: 73.5% South Mackay — Townhouses: 24.5% South Mackay — Flats / Apartments: 2.0%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Mackay South Mackay
Median house price $540,000 $605,000
Median unit price $400,000 $399,500
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 34 days
from 42 sales
 28 days
from 58 sales

Unit price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Mackay South Mackay
2 bed $380K / $400K
Mackay — 2 bed: $380K (77 sales) South Mackay — 2 bed: $400K (28 sales)

77 vs 28 sales

3 bed $608K / $418K
Mackay — 3 bed: $608K (26 sales) South Mackay — 3 bed: $418K (11 sales)

26 vs 11 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Mackay South Mackay
2 bed $480K / $550K
Mackay — 2 bed: $480K (23 sales) South Mackay — 2 bed: $550K (27 sales)

23 vs 27 sales

3 bed $550K / $600K
Mackay — 3 bed: $550K (37 sales) South Mackay — 3 bed: $600K (138 sales)

37 vs 138 sales

4 bed $650K / $670K
Mackay — 4 bed: $650K (17 sales) South Mackay — 4 bed: $670K (38 sales)

17 vs 38 sales

5 bed $755K / $640K
Mackay — 5 bed: $755K (7 sales) South Mackay — 5 bed: $640K (7 sales)

7 vs 7 sales

Development activity

Mackay South Mackay
New dwellings approved 574
across Mackay
same for both
Approvals change year on year -6%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Mackay South Mackay
Houses 4.8%
$500/wk on $539K
 4.9%
$650/wk on $684K
Units 5.8%
$500/wk on $449K
 6.9%
$510/wk on $384K

Ranking within QLD

Mackay South Mackay
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 30% of QLD Higher than 48% of QLD
Schools Higher than 40% of QLD Higher than 78% of QLD
Walkability Higher than 99% of QLD Higher than 86% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 41% of QLD
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 98% of QLD
same for both
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 87% of QLD Higher than 90% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 86% of QLD Higher than 95% of QLD

Liveability

Mackay is more walkable (92 vs 49); South Mackay scores higher overall (48 vs 31).

Mackay South Mackay
Grade D C
Score 31/100 48/100
Socio-economic band below-average income
decile 2/10
same for both

Risk profile

Mackay carries more crime risk (98 vs 70).

Mackay South Mackay
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
98/100
 High
70/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
 High
89/100
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 3
within 5 km
 4
within 5 km

Schools

Mackay South Mackay
Inside the suburb 3
same for both
Rated above peers 0 1
Rated at peers 2 1
Rated below peers 1 0

Schools in Mackay

  • Mackay Central State School Government · Primary at peers
  • St Patrick's College Catholic · Secondary at peers
  • Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School Independent · Secondary · Special school below peers

Schools in South Mackay

  • St Mary's Catholic Primary School Catholic · Primary above peers
  • Mackay State High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • St Patrick's College - Mercy Campus Catholic · Secondary

Amenities in the suburb

Mackay South Mackay
Supermarkets 5 0
Cafes & restaurants 20 2
Parks & reserves 7 18
Childcare 4 3
GPs 11 0
Pharmacies 7 0
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 13 0
Fuel stations 5 0
EV chargers 1 0
Beaches 0 1

Mobility

Mackay South Mackay
Walkability score 92/100 49/100
Distance to Brisbane 966.7 km 966.3 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 663 min 664 min
Public transport score 75/100
Bus
 59/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 60.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
 20.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.3%
postcode 4740
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 56
postcode 4740
same for both

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Mackay South Mackay
Car (driver) 72.9% / 83.4%
Mackay — Car (driver): 72.9% South Mackay — Car (driver): 83.4%
Car (passenger) 9.8% / 7.1%
Mackay — Car (passenger): 9.8% South Mackay — Car (passenger): 7.1%
Walked Only 9.3% / 2.3%
Mackay — Walked Only: 9.3% South Mackay — Walked Only: 2.3%
Worked from Home 3.4% / 3.9%
Mackay — Worked from Home: 3.4% South Mackay — Worked from Home: 3.9%
Bicycle 2.8% / 1.6%
Mackay — Bicycle: 2.8% South Mackay — Bicycle: 1.6%
Bus 1.8% / 1.6%
Mackay — Bus: 1.8% South Mackay — Bus: 1.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (83.4%).

Setting

Mackay South Mackay
Elevation 9 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 4 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 2.8 km
2.6 km to a named beach
 1.7 km
1.8 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Mackay South Mackay
Connectivity score 97/100 99/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 92%
4,433 premises
 98%
3,418 premises

Climate

Mackay South Mackay
Annual rainfall 1,517 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 30.8°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 12.4°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Mackay South Mackay
PM2.5 6.6 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 17.9 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Mackay South Mackay
Average residential rate $1,873/yr
same for both
Council Mackay
same for both

Federal electorate

Mackay South Mackay
Division Dawson
same for both
Member Andrew Willcox
same for both
Party Liberal National Party of Queensland
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Mackay South Mackay
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Mackay

Affordable Coastal Nightlife Parks Townhouses

South Mackay

Affordable Coastal Parks Townhouses

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Mackay

Mackay vs West Mackay Mackay vs North Mackay Mackay vs Mount Pleasant Mackay vs East Mackay

Other comparisons with South Mackay

South Mackay vs West Mackay South Mackay vs East Mackay South Mackay vs Paget South Mackay vs Coral Sea
Full data on Mackay Full data on South Mackay
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Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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