Mackay
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Mackay, QLD 4740.
About Mackay
Welcome to Mackay
Mackay sits at the heart of its namesake region, on Queensland's central coast roughly halfway between Brisbane and Cairns, with the CBD, retail strip and Pioneer River all within easy walking distance of one another. As the commercial and administrative hub for the wider Mackay area, the suburb functions much like an inner-city precinct — compact, walkable and increasingly residential, wrapped by the more suburban East Mackay, North Mackay, West Mackay, South Mackay and Mount Pleasant.
With a modest population of 4,026 and a median age of 38, it attracts a mix of professionals working in town, downsizers keen to be close to everything, and investors drawn to the rental market. It suits people who want low-maintenance city living without the scale (or price tag) of a capital city, and who don't mind swapping a big backyard for proximity to cafes, offices and the river.
Lifestyle & dining
Life in Mackay revolves around the CBD grid and the river precinct, where a growing café and dining scene has developed alongside established pubs and takeaway strips. Being the commercial centre of the region, there's a practical, everyday energy to the suburb — workers ducking out for lunch, weekend markets, and a steady flow of people in for appointments, shopping or a night out. It's a lifestyle geared towards convenience rather than resort-style leisure, though the river frontage offers a pleasant spot for a walk or run at either end of the day.
Shopping
Retail here is anchored by the Mackay CBD itself, with department stores, specialty shops and everyday services clustered within a few blocks. Rather than relying on a single shopping centre, residents tend to move between the city strip and nearby retail nodes in East Mackay and North Mackay for larger supermarkets and bulky goods, making a car or short bus trip useful for a big grocery run even though day-to-day errands can be done on foot.
Getting around
Mackay's central position means it's the natural transport hub for the whole region — the Mackay railway station and Mackay Airport both connect the city to Brisbane and beyond, and Bruce Highway access runs close by, linking easily to South Mackay, West Mackay and Mount Pleasant. Within the suburb, most amenities are walkable, and local bus routes fan out to the surrounding residential suburbs, making it a practical base for anyone who wants to minimise commuting.
Schools & families
Despite its city-centre feel, Mackay has a solid spread of education options either within the suburb or a short trip away, including Mackay Central State School, St Brendan's Catholic Primary School, Catherine McAuley College, St Patrick's College and the Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School. This makes it a workable option for families who want to be close to the action, though many with school-age children opt to spread out into the surrounding suburbs as they grow, while still using Mackay's schools and services.
The property market
The current listing mix — 56% apartments and units, 38% houses and 5% land — reflects Mackay's shift towards denser, lower-maintenance living compared with its neighbouring suburbs. The median house price sits at $602k, having climbed a notable 28.9% recently, while units and apartments offer a considerably more accessible entry point at a median of $415k. Median rent of $575 a week points to solid rental demand, underpinning Mackay's appeal to investors as well as owner-occupiers who want city-fringe convenience without a large land component.
Parks & recreation
The Pioneer River corridor is the suburb's main recreational asset, offering walking and cycling paths along the water and a green outlet from the built-up commercial core. Beyond this, residents typically head to the larger parks and sporting facilities in East Mackay, North Mackay and Mount Pleasant for organised sport and open space, using Mackay itself as the base to come home to rather than the destination for weekend recreation.
Market snapshot
Mackay property market
Median sale price
$602k
House · 3 bed
Median rent
$575
per week
Gross rental yield
5.0%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$335k
Median
$602k
Premium
$731k
Days on market
18
Auction clearance
0%
Sold this year
24
Median sold price trend · House 3 bed
Compound growth +16.0% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Mackay by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Mackay, QLD 4740.
Population
4,026
residents (2021)
Median age
38
years
Household income
$1,239
median, per week
Median rent
$270
per week
Median mortgage
$1,387
per month
Mortgage / income
26%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Mackay
Government school catchment
Independent & Catholic schools
Recent results
Recently sold in Mackay
$499k
1/58 George Street
Sold ~July 2026
$849k
1003/27 River Street
Sold ~July 2026
$250k
12/11 Porter Street
Sold ~July 2026
$560k
5/187 Alfred Street
Sold ~July 2026
$352k
5/8 East Gordon Street
Sold ~July 2026
$735k
502/2 Nelson Street
Sold ~July 2026
$495k
55/7 Nelson Street
Sold ~July 2026
$500k
604/27 River Street
Sold ~July 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Mackay
Compare the area
Price map around Mackay
Every listing for sale near Mackay, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
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Nearby suburbs
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Common questions
Mackay suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Mackay?
The median unit price in Mackay, QLD is $415k for a 2-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 21.0%.
How much is rent in Mackay?
The median weekly rent in Mackay is around $500 per week.
Is Mackay a good place to live?
Mackay is a city in the Mackay Region on the eastern or Coral Sea coast of Queensland, Australia. Mackay is an established residential suburb in QLD, with a population of around 4,026 and 5 schools in the area.
What is the population of Mackay?
Mackay has a population of 4,026 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 38.
What schools are in Mackay?
There are 5 schools in or near Mackay, including Mackay Central State School, St Brendan's Catholic Primary School and Catherine McAuley College.
How long do homes take to sell in Mackay?
Properties in Mackay take around 19 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 0%.
How much do you need to buy in Mackay?
Entry-level properties in Mackay start around $284k, while premium homes reach $515k.
What suburbs are near Mackay?
Suburbs near Mackay include South Mackay, East Mackay, North Mackay, Mount Pleasant and West Mackay.
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