Port Macquarie
At a median age of 48, Port Macquarie sits 8 years above the national age profile, making its older resident base the clearest market signal. The 47,693-person coastal centre combines 66.2% separate houses with 15.3% apartments, while 31.7% of households rent and 39.9% own outright. Compared with nearby Wauchope's inland setting, Port Macquarie's coastal urban context is reflected in its 897.8 people per sq km and stronger service concentration. Internal migration and 2.36% annual growth add demand, but a 29.7 household-income percentile keeps affordability central.
Population
47,693
Median Age
48.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,282/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
448
Homebuyers need to budget around a $1,751 monthly mortgage measure and a 31.5% mortgage-to-income ratio, which is higher than the 29.6% rent-to-income measure and signals limited room for repayment shocks. Stock is weighted to detached living: 66.2% separate houses, 18.0% semi-detached homes and 15.3% apartments. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 41.5%, while 30.6% have four or more bedrooms, giving families a broad choice. The $380 weekly rent and 31.7% rental share support comparison with current listings, because suburb-wide affordability can vary sharply by dwelling type and location.
For Buyers
Homebuyers need to budget around a $1,751 monthly mortgage measure and a 31.5% mortgage-to-income ratio, which is higher than the 29.6% rent-to-income measure and signals limited room for repayment shocks. Stock is weighted to detached living: 66.2% separate houses, 18.0% semi-detached homes and 15.3% apartments. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 41.5%, while 30.6% have four or more bedrooms, giving families a broad choice. The $380 weekly rent and 31.7% rental share support comparison with current listings, because suburb-wide affordability can vary sharply by dwelling type and location.
For Investors
Port Macquarie's investor case rests on tenant demand, but it is not a set-and-forget proposition. Rent is $380 a week, 31.7% of households rent and vacancy is 9.2%, so asking rents should be compared with current nearby listings rather than extrapolated from headline growth. Rents have grown 60.4% across the forecast period, while internal migration is the primary growth driver. Development activity reached 449 applications in 12 months, covering residential accommodation as well as pools and health infrastructure, so supply risk depends on the asset type. A 2.36% annual growth trend is supportive, but selection, maintenance and vacancy buffers remain important because a high pipeline can increase competition.
Development Activity
Total DAs
2,692
Last 12 Months
448
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+6.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Port Macquarie
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Port Macquarie's median age of 48 is 8 years above the national figure, while university attainment at 28.0% is 2.1 percentage points below the national level. Overseas-born residents are 15.1%, 6.5 points below nationally, and average household size is 2.2 people, 0.3 below the national average. The largest recorded ancestries are English at 21,452, Irish at 6,438 and Scottish at 5,422, reinforcing an Anglo-leaning profile. Couples without children make up 48.4% of families, compared with 33.1% with children, which helps explain demand for smaller and lower-maintenance homes. Residential stability is also notable: 75.3% stayed at the same address, while turnover was 24.7%.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
66.2%
Houses
18.0%
Townhouse
15.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Port Macquarie's tenure mix is more owner-oriented than its rental share alone suggests: 39.9% own outright and 25.0% are paying a mortgage, compared with 31.7% renting. That structure can support neighbourhood stability, but the 31.5% mortgage-to-income ratio is above the 29.6% rent-to-income measure, so leveraged buyers need more cash-flow headroom. Separate houses account for 66.2%, semi-detached dwellings 18.0% and apartments 15.3%; compared with an apartment-led market, this is a materially more detached format. The dominant bedroom groups are three-bedroom homes at 41.5% and four-plus at 30.6%, while average household size is 2.2.
Mortgage / mo
$1,751
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $380.
$615
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $680 · units $490
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$679
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.2%
Unoccupied
1,986
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
31.5% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.1%
Couples with children
48.4%
Couples, no children
17.4%
Single parent
13,035
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads the economy at 27.6% and 3,820 workers, followed by education at 13.6% and 1,883. Construction contributes 9.2% and 1,270, retail 7.3% and 1,016, and public administration 6.4% and 891. Occupations led by professionals at 4,715, community and personal service workers at 3,132, and trades at 2,587 fit a regional service centre. Unemployment is 4.9%, participation is 52.4% and full-time employment is 53.8%. Household income is at the 29.7th percentile, below the national midpoint. SEIFA deciles are 5 for education and occupation, 4 for economic resources, 5 for disadvantage and 4 for advantage, pointing to middle-ranking conditions rather than high-income status.
Unemployment
4.9%
Labour Force
21,088
Unemployed
1,026
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
53.8%
Part-time
40.0%
Participation
52.4%
Employed
20,062
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
28.0%
Postgraduate
6.3%
Born Overseas
15.1%
Dwellings
19,661
Transport to Work
Daily life is strongly car-oriented: 75.1% drive, compared with 0.5% using public transport and 3.7% walking or cycling. Work-from-home participation is 14.6%, which can reduce commute frequency for some households but does not remove the value of local services. Seven local schools provide government primary and secondary options, plus distance education, giving families more coverage than a suburb with only one school type; enrolment zones should still be checked against the exact address. The 53.12 sq km footprint means convenience varies by pocket. An IRSAD decile of 4 and an IRSD decile of 5 indicate mid-range socioeconomic conditions, while safety decisions should use current street-level reports rather than a single suburb-wide assumption.
Drive
75.1%
Public Transport
0.5%
Walk / Cycle
3.7%
Work from Home
14.6%
Population Forecast
+2.36%/yr
(+566 people/yr)
EstablishedPort Macquarie is an established market with a 2.36% annual growth trend, driven primarily by internal migration. Population change across the wider area is 40.9% over 10 years, a stronger pace than a static established-suburb profile would imply, while the forecast trajectory remains Stable. Gentrification is Active, with a score of 58, and the wider shift model also records a 54 Active score. Rent growth of 60.4% and real income growth of 26.2% help explain why demand has persisted, although the working-age share has fallen 2.0 percentage points and the young share 0.7 points. Growth therefore looks steady rather than speculative: internal migration supports turnover, while an older base shapes the type of demand.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+81
Net Internal / yr
+742
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +55% since 2011, Net internal migration +742/yr, Accelerating: 14% → 36%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Port Macquarie compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Port Macquarie a good suburb to live in?
Yes, for households that value established services, detached housing and a slower pace. Port Macquarie has 47,693 residents, 66.2% separate houses and 14.6% working from home. Its median age is 48, which is 8 years above the national figure, so it suits buyers seeking an older, settled market more than a young inner-city environment.
What is the median house price in Port Macquarie?
The current median house price should be checked against recent comparable sales before making an offer. Port Macquarie's housing mix is 66.2% separate houses, 18.0% semi-detached and 15.3% apartments, so a suburb-wide median can be misleading when compared across dwelling types. The 41.5% share of three-bedroom homes is a useful guide to the mainstream stock.
What schools are in Port Macquarie?
Seven local schools serve Port Macquarie, covering 2 school stages through government primary and secondary campuses, plus a primary distance-education option. The mix provides broader coverage than locations with only one school type, but enrolment zones can change by street. Families should verify the exact address, intake area and transport arrangements before relying on proximity.
Is Port Macquarie safe?
Safety should be assessed at the exact address using current street-level reports and local advice. The suburb covers 53.12 sq km and 75.1% of employed residents drive, so conditions and evening activity can differ between pockets. That approach is more reliable than applying one suburb-wide label, especially when comparing streets near services, housing and major roads.
Is Port Macquarie good for property investment?
Potentially, but the property needs to be chosen carefully. Weekly rent is $380, vacancy is 9.2% and 31.7% of households rent, while rents have grown 60.4%. Compare the 9.2% vacancy rate and likely maintenance costs with nearby listings before buying. Development activity reached 449 applications in 12 months, which may increase competition for some dwelling types.
How is Port Macquarie's population changing?
Port Macquarie has 47,693 residents today. Growth across the wider area is forecast at 2.36% annually, driven by internal migration, and 10-year population change is 40.9%. The trajectory is Stable, while gentrification is Active at a score of 58, indicating a steadier pattern than a sudden boom.
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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