Maclean
At a median age of 56, Maclean sits 16 years above the national figure, making it one of the most distinctly senior communities on the NSW north coast. That single fact explains a lot: household income sits in the 11.5th percentile nationally, participation in the labour force is just 37%, and 47.7% of homes are owned outright because most residents finished paying off their mortgage long ago. Population has still grown 23.3% over a decade, driven almost entirely by internal migration of over 1,000 people a year, suggesting retirees and sea-changers are actively choosing the town. The median house price of $642,500 is well below the NSW coastal average, yet affordability is tightening as newcomers arrive.
Population
2,778
Median Age
56.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$965/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
31
Median House
$642K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price reached $653,000 in 2025, up from $605,000 in 2024, a 7.9% gain in one year. At 87.6% separate houses, Maclean is overwhelmingly detached stock, with apartments at just 4.1%. The dominant dwelling size is 3 bedrooms at 54.2%, followed by 4-plus at 23.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,387, but the mortgage-to-income ratio is 33.2%, above the 30% stress threshold, because household incomes sit lower than state averages. For buyers used to Sydney prices, the $642,500 median looks attractive. The trade-off is that 47.7% of homes are owned outright by long-term residents, which limits listing volumes and keeps competition tighter than the vacancy rate alone would suggest.
For Buyers
The median house price reached $653,000 in 2025, up from $605,000 in 2024, a 7.9% gain in one year. At 87.6% separate houses, Maclean is overwhelmingly detached stock, with apartments at just 4.1%. The dominant dwelling size is 3 bedrooms at 54.2%, followed by 4-plus at 23.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,387, but the mortgage-to-income ratio is 33.2%, above the 30% stress threshold, because household incomes sit lower than state averages. For buyers used to Sydney prices, the $642,500 median looks attractive. The trade-off is that 47.7% of homes are owned outright by long-term residents, which limits listing volumes and keeps competition tighter than the vacancy rate alone would suggest.
For Investors
Rental demand is steady: 32.2% of residents rent, paying $330 a week median, and rent grew 13.2% over the measured period. Against a $642,500 median, that implies a gross yield around 2.7%, moderate for a regional NSW town. The vacancy rate of 9.0% is elevated, reflecting seasonal and lifestyle-property dynamics common to north coast towns rather than structural oversupply. Net internal migration of over 1,066 people a year into the broader area is the strongest demand signal, bringing retirees and remote workers who often need rental accommodation before buying. The 24 development applications lodged in the past 12 months are largely dwelling alterations rather than new supply, which limits stock growth and supports existing rental values over time.
Development Activity
Total DAs
167
Last 12 Months
31
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+40.9%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Maclean iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Joseph's Primary School
K-6 · 135 students
Maclean High School
7-12 · 689 students
Maclean Public School
K-6 · 198 students
Demographics
Maclean's median age of 56 is 16 years higher than the national figure, placing it firmly in the retiree-dominant category along the NSW north coast. The senior share rose 4.8 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 3.6 points, so the aging trajectory is accelerating. Overseas-born residents account for 11.6%, which is 10 points below the national average, consistent with the strongly Anglo-Celtic ancestry profile: English (1,170), Scottish (356) and Irish (349) are the top three groups. University qualifications at 20.0% are 10.1 points below national, reflecting an older cohort who completed education before university access widened. Average household size is 2.1, below the national 2.5, because couples-without-children make up 39.7% of families.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
87.6%
Houses
6.9%
Townhouse
4.1%
Apartment
Tenure
The housing stock is dominated by separate houses at 87.6%, with only 4.1% apartments and 6.9% semi-detached, a profile that appeals to buyers seeking space and privacy. Tenure splits reveal a wealthy-but-income-poor dynamic: 47.7% own outright, 20.1% carry a mortgage, and 32.2% rent. Outright owners at nearly half of all dwellings is well above the national average, reflecting decades of stable ownership by the town's older cohort. Prices moved from $605,000 in 2024 to $653,000 in 2025, a 7.9% rise over one year. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 33.2% exceeds the 30% stress threshold, while rent-to-income at 34.2% is also stressed, because household income at the 11.5th percentile nationally remains low relative to dwelling costs.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,387
Rent / wk
$330
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$525
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.0%
Unoccupied
111
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
34.2% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
33.2% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
39.7%
Couples, no children
1,892
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates local employment at 27.8% of workers (152 people), consistent with an older population requiring medical and aged care services. Education follows at 11.2% (61 workers) and Public Administration at 9.3% (51), with Construction at 9.0% and Retail at 7.9%. By occupation, Professionals lead at 158 but Labourers are close behind at 139 and Community/Personal Service workers at 136, reflecting the care-economy structure. The unemployment rate of 7.7% is higher than the national average, but the participation rate of just 37.0% tells the fuller story: 1,264 residents are not in the labour force, most of them retirees. SEIFA scores rank at decile 3 on IRSD and IRSAD, placing Maclean in the bottom third nationally for both disadvantage and advantage, which aligns with the 11.5th percentile household income.
Unemployment
3.5%
Labour Force
6,875
Unemployed
244
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
54.5%
Part-time
37.8%
Participation
37.0%
Employed
816
Occupations
Top Industries
University
20.0%
Postgraduate
3.8%
Born Overseas
11.6%
Dwellings
1,116
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high: 82.6% of residents drive to work and only 0.7% use public transport, reflecting the town's regional setting without metropolitan rail access. At 11.2%, the share walking or cycling to work is notable for a regional centre, suggesting compact walkable access to local services. Crime statistics are not available in this dataset, so direct safety comparisons cannot be made. Disadvantage as measured by SEIFA sits at decile 3 nationally, meaning Maclean ranks below average on living standards relative to the national distribution. Volunteering is strong at 16.8% of residents, and 14.8% of residents (381 people) need daily assistance, consistent with the older demographic. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary in this dataset, though the town centre has education services nearby given 11.2% of local workers are employed in education.
Drive
82.6%
Public Transport
0.7%
Walk / Cycle
11.2%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.9%/yr
(+368 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 23.3% over the decade and the suburb is now in an active gentrification stage with a score of 40, driven by net internal migration of 1,066 people a year, far exceeding the 41-person annual overseas migration figure. Forecasts under the medium scenario project continued growth from roughly 11,000 in 2026 to around 12,800 by 2031, adding approximately 368 people per year at a 2.9% annual rate. Rent grew 13.2% over the recent period and affordability improved from 65.2% in 2011 to 54.1% in 2021, meaning a smaller share of income is consumed by housing costs than a decade ago. The gentrification signal of accelerating internal migration suggests the arrival of higher-income sea-changers is gradually lifting the local income base, though SEIFA deciles remain at 3 for now.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+41
Net Internal / yr
+1,066
Gentrification Signal
Active
Net internal migration +1066/yr, Accelerating: 2% → 96%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Maclean compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maclean a good suburb to live in?
Maclean suits retirees and sea-changers well. Median house prices of $642,500 are accessible compared to major NSW coastal centres, 47.7% of homes are owned outright reflecting stable long-term ownership, and internal migration of over 1,000 people a year shows consistent demand from people choosing to move here. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 3 places it in the lower third nationally for living standards, so services and incomes are modest.
What is the median house price in Maclean?
The median house price was $642,500 in the 2024-2025 period, rising from $605,000 in 2024 to $653,000 in 2025, a 7.9% gain. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,387. Rent averages $330 a week. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 33.2% is above the 30% stress threshold due to below-average household incomes.
What schools are in Maclean?
No schools are recorded inside the Maclean suburb boundary in this dataset. However, 11.2% of local workers are employed in education (61 people), suggesting education facilities operate in the broader town area. The local population has 20.0% university-qualified residents, which is 10.1 points below the national figure.
Is Maclean safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Maclean in this dataset. As a context indicator, SEIFA IRSD decile 3 places the suburb in the lower third nationally for relative advantage, and 14.8% of residents (381 people) require daily assistance, consistent with the older median age of 56. Volunteering at 16.8% reflects community engagement.
Is Maclean good for property investment?
The investment case rests on migration-driven demand: net internal migration of 1,066 people a year supports the area, rent grew 13.2% over the measured period, and prices rose 7.9% in 2024-2025. The 9.0% vacancy rate is elevated and gross yield is around 2.7% against the $642,500 median. Gentrification is classified as active, suggesting gradual income uplift ahead.
How is Maclean's population changing?
Population grew 23.3% over the decade and is forecast to rise from around 11,000 in 2026 to approximately 12,800 by 2031 under the medium scenario, adding about 368 people a year at 2.9% annually. Internal migration of 1,066 people a year drives virtually all of this growth, with overseas migration contributing just 41 people annually.
How much development is happening in Maclean?
There were 24 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, mostly dwelling alterations and additions to existing houses plus a small number of new dwelling erections. Activity is modest relative to the population of 2,778, consistent with a mainly established residential area where improvement work rather than greenfield development dominates.
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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