East Mackay
A 10.0% vacancy rate is the standout feature of East Mackay, alongside 3,725 residents, a median age of 42 and a housing stock led by separate homes at 72.7%. The median age is 2.0 years above the national figure, while household income of $1,718 per week sits at the 60.3 percentile. Compared with nearby South Mackay and central Mackay, East Mackay presents a more established, detached-home setting, with 40.6% of dwellings containing 3 bedrooms and 31.2% containing 4 or more. Its population profile is ageing, but the annual growth trend remains 0.51%, driven by overseas migration.
Population
3,725
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,718/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
16
Buyers should assess East Mackay through its dwelling mix and holding costs because a reliable median house price cannot be stated here. The estimated mortgage cost is $1,625 per month, while median rent is $320 per week; mortgage payments represent 21.8% of household income and rent represents 18.6%, both below severe stress levels. Separate houses account for 72.7%, compared with 26.0% semi-detached homes and 1.4% apartments. Three-bedroom dwellings lead at 40.6%, followed by 4 or more bedrooms at 31.2%. The average household size is 2.3, which is 0.2 below the national comparison, favouring established households over high-density apartment living.
For Buyers
Buyers should assess East Mackay through its dwelling mix and holding costs because a reliable median house price cannot be stated here. The estimated mortgage cost is $1,625 per month, while median rent is $320 per week; mortgage payments represent 21.8% of household income and rent represents 18.6%, both below severe stress levels. Separate houses account for 72.7%, compared with 26.0% semi-detached homes and 1.4% apartments. Three-bedroom dwellings lead at 40.6%, followed by 4 or more bedrooms at 31.2%. The average household size is 2.3, which is 0.2 below the national comparison, favouring established households over high-density apartment living.
For Investors
East Mackay has a meaningful rental base, with 38.0% of households renting, higher than the 28.2% owning outright and the 32.5% paying a mortgage. Weekly rent is $320, but the 10.0% vacancy rate is high compared with a tightly supplied rental market, so investors should allow for longer letting periods or softer rent competition. Rental growth is currently -3.6%, below a rising-rent cycle, while the gentrification score is 0 and the area is classified as Not gentrifying. Fifteen development applications in 12 months indicate ongoing activity, although the established housing mix and 0.51% annual growth trend suggest a steadier income strategy rather than a rapid capital-growth play.
Development Activity
Total DAs
16
Last 12 Months
16
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in East Mackay
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Victoria Park State School
Demographics
East Mackay has a median age of 42, sitting 2.0 years above the national comparison, and its 2.3-person average household is 0.2 below the national figure. University qualification attainment is 21.8%, or 8.3 percentage points below the national benchmark, while overseas-born residents account for 14.7%, 6.9 points below national. English ancestry is the largest reported group at 1,480 people, followed by Irish at 483 and Scottish at 428. Christianity accounts for 1,840 residents and no religion for 1,354. A 71.6% five-year stay rate is above the 28.4% turnover rate, indicating established residents. Compared with nearby South Mackay, East Mackay has a more clearly Anglo-leaning and older demographic profile.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
72.7%
Houses
26.0%
Townhouse
1.4%
Apartment
Tenure
East Mackay is detached-home dominated, with 72.7% of dwellings being separate houses, above the 26.0% semi-detached share and well above the 1.4% apartment share. Renting is the largest tenure category at 38.0%, higher than outright ownership at 28.2% and mortgage ownership at 32.5%. The dwelling mix is weighted toward 3 bedrooms at 40.6% and 4 or more bedrooms at 31.2%, while 2-bedroom homes account for 22.7%. The estimated mortgage cost is $1,625 per month and weekly rent is $320. Housing affordability improved from 38.6% in 2011 to 32.3% in 2021, a favourable change compared with the earlier affordability position, although price-to-income analysis is limited without a median sale price.
Mortgage / mo
$1,625
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (Jun 2026 quarter), QLD RTA bond data. Census 2021 median: $320.
$650
Bond data Jun 2026 quarter · houses $650 · units $500
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$916
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.0%
Unoccupied
158
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.8%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
37.8%
Couples with children
43.4%
Couples, no children
17.5%
Single parent
916
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is East Mackay's largest industry at 19.0%, employing 219 people, followed by mining and construction at 10.2% each, education at 9.5% and professional or technical services at 6.4%. Occupations are led by trades at 344 workers and professionals at 316, consistent with a mixed regional economy rather than a single-industry workforce. Unemployment is 3.7%, participation is 61.5% and full-time employment is 66.5%. Personal income is $916 per week and household income is $1,718, at the 60.3 percentile. SEIFA places the suburb in decile 3 for education and occupation, below its decile 4 scores for economic resources and advantage, suggesting moderate resources with weaker education and occupational outcomes than the broader comparison.
Unemployment
3.7%
Labour Force
1,897
Unemployed
71
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.5%
Part-time
28.0%
Participation
61.5%
Employed
1,826
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
21.8%
Postgraduate
4.1%
Born Overseas
14.7%
Dwellings
1,397
Transport to Work
East Mackay is strongly car-oriented: 85.3% of commuters drive, compared with 1.5% using public transport and 2.5% walking or cycling. Work from home accounts for 4.9%, so daily access is likely to depend on private vehicles, particularly for work, shopping and school travel. Victoria Park State School is the named nearby option and operates as a government state school; families should check enrolment zones against the exact address. SEIFA records an IRSAD decile of 4, IRSD decile of 4 and IER decile of 4, while IEO is lower at decile 3. The 8.8% need-assistance rate and 15.4% volunteering rate add useful context. Compared with a transit-led suburb, East Mackay is better suited to households comfortable with car-based routines.
Drive
85.3%
Public Transport
1.5%
Walk / Cycle
2.5%
Work from Home
4.9%
Population Forecast
+0.51%/yr
(+21 people/yr)
EstablishedEast Mackay's annual growth trend is 0.51%, above its -1.1% population change across the wider area over 10 years, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. The shift trajectory is Aging: the senior share increased by 3.1 percentage points while the young share fell by 3.2 points. This means future change is more likely to come through household age mix than rapid expansion. Rent growth of -3.6% and real income growth of -6.5% are both below zero, although affordability improved from 38.6% to 32.3%. A gentrification score of 0 and the stage Not gentrifying indicate limited evidence of a neighbourhood upgrade cycle. Compared with faster-growing corridors, East Mackay's outlook is measured and established.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+66
Net Internal / yr
-64
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How East Mackay compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Mackay a good suburb to live in?
East Mackay may suit households wanting established, mostly detached housing and a quieter suburban setting near Mackay. It has 72.7% separate houses, a 42 median age and a 2.3-person average household. Compared with a denser inner suburb, daily life is more car-dependent because 85.3% of commuters drive.
What is the median house price in East Mackay?
A reliable median house price cannot be stated for East Mackay here. Buyers can still compare the $320 weekly rent, $1,625 monthly mortgage estimate and the 72.7% separate-house share with nearby sales evidence. The 40.6% share of 3-bedroom homes also helps frame comparable properties.
What schools are in East Mackay?
Victoria Park State School is the named local school, operating as a government state school. Check the enrolment zone for the exact address because boundaries can cross suburb edges. East Mackay has 3,725 residents, and families should confirm current intake arrangements directly with the school.
Is East Mackay safe?
A suburb-level crime rate is not available to support a simple safe or unsafe label for East Mackay. Residents can combine current Queensland Police information with an inspection of the street, lighting and access routes. The suburb has 3,725 residents, so conditions can vary between pockets and nearby roads.
Is East Mackay good for property investment?
East Mackay has 38.0% renters and weekly rent of $320, which supports an established tenant market. However, the 10.0% vacancy rate is high compared with a tightly supplied market, and rent growth is -3.6%. With a gentrification score of 0 and 15 development applications in 12 months, it suits selective, income-focused analysis rather than a guaranteed growth strategy.
How is East Mackay's population changing?
Population change across the wider area is -1.1% over 10 years, while the annual trend is 0.51% and is driven by overseas migration. East Mackay has an Aging trajectory: the senior share rose 3.1 percentage points and the young share fell 3.2 points. Change is therefore more about age mix than rapid expansion.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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