West Mackay Growth Profile

West Mackay is part of the traditional lands of the Yuwibara people.

West Mackay developed along the Bruce Highway as the main transport axis into Mackay.

Notable early developments include a government sugar nursery built in 1890 near the lagoons (now the Mackay Botanic Gardens), later replaced by a Sugar Experimental Station in 1898 and the Queensland Heritage listed Sugar Research Institute in 1953 designed by prominent architect Karl Langer.

Additionally, the Mackay District Hospital (now the Mackay Base Hospital) was built in 1885 and underwent a series of major expansions in the 1920’s, 1980 and a major redevelopment to its current modern standard between 2010 to 2014.

West Mackay’s residential area is characterised by housing developed in the interwar years, resulting in a concentration of “Queenslander” type houses.

Outlook

If current housing trends continue an increase in higher density dwellings and supporting rental housing for local residents. The ageing population trend is anticipated to lead to a greater concentration of empty nesters/retirees in West Mackay. Growth is driven by densification of housing in an older character neighbourhood in close proximity to local employment. Health is anticipated to continue to be a main employer with the location of the Mackay Base Hospital in West Mackay.

Total Residents

Main Industries of Employment for Residents 2018

	Health	14.2%
	Education	8.8%
	Mining	8.7%

Population by Age

Dwelling Types

Demographic Profile

6,124 people live in West Mackay. This represents 5.1% of the total population of Mackay region.

The age composition has tended more to residents aged 65+ (19.2% of the population compared to the Mackay region average of 13.1%. ). This is a consistent trend for older suburbs of Mackay region.

Of the residents living in West Mackay, 13% were born overseas. This is above the Mackay region average of 11.7%.

36.8% of households comprise lone person and group households. This is reflective of a high proprotion of older residents in West Mackay.

18.8% of dwellings are apartments, units and townhouses. This is above the Mackay region average of 8.4%

An average household size of 2.3. This is below the Mackay region average of 2.5. This is reflective of the higher proportion of lone person households in the area.

35.8% of dwellings are rentals. This is above the Mackay region average 31.5%.

An educated resident population with 24.5% holding a degree or higher qualification. The Mackay region average is 19%

92.1% of working age residents are employed, above the Mackay region average of 91.4%.