Macksville
With household income in just the 10.2nd percentile nationally and SEIFA disadvantage decile of 2, Macksville sits among the lower-advantage communities in NSW, yet the median house price of $610,000 is well above many similar-ranked inland towns. Median age reaches 47, which is 7 years above the national figure, and 43.6% of dwellings are owned outright, reflecting a settled, older population that has paid down debt. The suburb recorded 33 development applications in the past 12 months, signalling steady if modest construction activity for a town of 2,782 people.
Population
2,782
Median Age
47.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$944/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
38
Median House
$610K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price sits at $610,000, down about 2% from $617,500 in 2024 to $605,000 in 2025. Separate houses dominate at 91.1% of dwellings, considerably higher than the NSW average, with three-bedroom homes accounting for 52.5% of stock and four-plus bedroom homes at 29.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, but the mortgage-to-income ratio of 31.8% crosses the financial stress threshold, because household incomes rank in the 10.2nd percentile nationally. Buyers should weigh the relatively accessible price point against that income constraint: 43.6% of owners have paid off their mortgage outright, compared with a national owner-occupier profile where mortgaged households are more common.
For Buyers
The median house price sits at $610,000, down about 2% from $617,500 in 2024 to $605,000 in 2025. Separate houses dominate at 91.1% of dwellings, considerably higher than the NSW average, with three-bedroom homes accounting for 52.5% of stock and four-plus bedroom homes at 29.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, but the mortgage-to-income ratio of 31.8% crosses the financial stress threshold, because household incomes rank in the 10.2nd percentile nationally. Buyers should weigh the relatively accessible price point against that income constraint: 43.6% of owners have paid off their mortgage outright, compared with a national owner-occupier profile where mortgaged households are more common.
For Investors
Renters make up 30.3% of households, paying a median of $320 per week, which implies a gross yield of roughly 2.7% against the $610,000 median, below typical national regional benchmarks. The vacancy rate of 7.0% is elevated compared to most coastal NSW towns, pointing to supply exceeding demand. Net internal migration averages 60 persons a year, providing a baseline of incoming residents, while overseas arrivals add around 10 per year. Development activity ran at 33 applications in the past 12 months. Rent grew 65% over the decade, well above income growth of 12%, meaning affordability has worsened, which could cap further rent increases.
Development Activity
Total DAs
289
Last 12 Months
38
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-17.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Macksville iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Patrick's Primary School
K-6 · 244 students
Macksville Public School
K-6 · 284 students
Macksville High School
7-12 · 365 students
Demographics
The median age of 47 is 7 years above the national figure, and the senior share rose 3.5 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 0.8 points, a clear aging trajectory. Overseas-born residents account for 9.1% of the population, which is 12.5 percentage points below the national average, reflecting a predominantly locally-born community. Ancestry is dominated by English (1,156), Irish (299) and Scottish (267) backgrounds. University qualifications reach only 15.9%, which is 14.2 points below the national figure. Average household size is 2.3, marginally below national. Volunteering participation of 16.5% indicates reasonable community engagement for the size of the town.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
91.1%
Houses
5.6%
Townhouse
2.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Separate houses account for 91.1% of dwellings, compared with the NSW average where apartments and medium-density play a larger role. The tenure split shows 43.6% owned outright, 26.1% with a mortgage and 30.3% renting. Outright owners outnumber mortgaged owners, consistent with the older median age of 47 and long-term residency, with 78% of residents having stayed at the same address in the five years prior to the census. The price fell from $617,500 in 2024 to $605,000 in 2025, a 2.0% decline. Three-bedroom homes are most common at 52.5%, while four-plus bedroom properties make up 29.1%, higher than many urban centres, reflecting the detached house character of the area.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wk
$320
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$511
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.0%
Unoccupied
82
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
33.9% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
31.8% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
29.5%
Couples, no children
2,018
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employment sector by a wide margin at 28.9% of local workers (162 people), well above the typical share in comparable towns, driven by the Macksville District Hospital and aged care services, which aligns with the aging resident base. Education follows at 12.3% (69 workers), then Construction at 7.7%, Public Administration at 7.1% and Retail at 6.4%. The unemployment rate of 8.1% sits above state averages, and the participation rate of only 40.3% reflects the large retired population, with 1,135 residents not in the labour force. SEIFA deciles of 2 across IRSD, IRSAD and IEO indicate significant relative disadvantage on income, occupation and education measures compared to national benchmarks.
Unemployment
4.7%
Labour Force
2,174
Unemployed
102
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
52.7%
Part-time
39.2%
Participation
40.3%
Employed
844
Occupations
Top Industries
University
15.9%
Postgraduate
2.1%
Born Overseas
9.1%
Dwellings
1,083
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high, with 85.9% of residents driving to work, above the national average, reflecting the limited public transport in a mid-North Coast town. Walking and cycling account for 7.4% of commutes, reasonable for a smaller centre. No schools are recorded in the dataset for the Macksville suburb boundary, though the town hosts schools serving the broader local area. The need-for-assistance rate of 12.6% (328 residents) is elevated compared to national averages, consistent with the aging population and SEIFA disadvantage decile of 2 on IRSAD. Rent stress affects renters paying 33.9% of income on housing, and mortgage holders face a 31.8% ratio, both above the 30% stress threshold, making housing affordability a genuine pressure for working-age residents.
Drive
85.9%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
7.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.82%/yr
(+44 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth runs at 0.82% per year, adding approximately 44 persons annually, and the 10-year change of 11.8% shows steady if moderate expansion. Medium-scenario forecasts project the wider Macksville SA2 area rising from around 5,383 in 2025 to 5,657 by 2031. Internal migration contributes an average of 60 net arrivals annually, the primary growth driver, while overseas migration adds roughly 10 per year. The gentrification score of 12 places the suburb in the Not Gentrifying category, so the demographic and price character is likely to remain stable rather than transform. Rent growth of 65% over the decade has outpaced real income growth of 12%, pushing the rent-to-income ratio to 33.9%, above the 30% stress benchmark.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+10
Net Internal / yr
+60
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +12% since 2011, Net internal migration +60/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Macksville compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Macksville a good suburb to live in?
Macksville suits residents who value a quieter, established community with a median age of 47, high outright ownership (43.6%), and a settled population where 78% have lived there for at least 5 years. The trade-offs are household income in the 10.2nd percentile nationally and SEIFA disadvantage decile of 2, meaning services and economic opportunities are more limited than in higher-ranked areas.
What is the median house price in Macksville?
The median house price is $610,000, based on 2024-2025 data. Prices eased slightly from $617,500 in 2024 to $605,000 in 2025, a 2% decline. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, and weekly rent runs at $320.
What schools are in Macksville?
No schools are recorded within the Macksville suburb boundary in this dataset. The wider Macksville area includes schools serving the town's 2,782 residents. The local university qualification rate is 15.9%, which is 14.2 percentage points below the national figure.
Is Macksville safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Macksville in this dataset. As a contextual indicator, the suburb scores decile 2 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage nationally, which is in the lower-advantage tier. The need-for-assistance rate of 12.6% (328 residents) reflects an older population rather than acute safety concerns.
Is Macksville good for property investment?
Rental yield is modest: $320 per week against a $610,000 median implies around 2.7% gross yield, below typical regional benchmarks. The 7.0% vacancy rate is elevated, suggesting supply exceeds demand. Rent grew 65% over the decade, faster than the 12% real income growth, which may limit further rent increases. Population grows at 0.82% per year, providing steady but not strong demand.
How is Macksville's population changing?
The population grows at 0.82% annually, adding around 44 people per year, with the 10-year change at 11.8%. Medium forecasts project the broader area reaching 5,657 by 2031, up from 5,383 in 2025. Net internal migration of 60 per year is the main driver. The demographic trend is aging, with the senior share up 3.5 points over the decade.
How much development is happening in Macksville?
There were 33 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including dwelling alterations, shed erections and pool additions. This level of activity is moderate for a town of 2,782 people. The Not Gentrifying classification suggests development is maintenance-driven rather than a sign of rapid transformation.
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 Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), 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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