Mackay Population 2026
Mackay has a population of 84,333, making it the #26 biggest city in 🇦🇺 Australia, located in Queensland. Roughly 0.3% of Australia's population lives here. It is about 67× smaller than Sydney, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
84,333
Rank in Australia
#26
Coordinates
21.15°S, 149.17°E
~11 m elevation · Australia/Brisbane
Distance to capital (Canberra)
1,571 km
976 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Queensland
| City | Population | Rank in Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane | 2,780,063 | #3 |
| Gold Coast | 640,778 | #6 |
| Sunshine Coast | 398,840 | #8 |
| Logan City | 345,098 | #11 |
| Townsville | 201,313 | #15 |
| Cairns | 153,075 | #16 |
| Toowoomba | 142,163 | #17 |
| Caloundra | 96,305 | #22 |
Cities near Mackay
- Rockhampton81,021 people · ~283 km away
- Townsville201,313 people · ~324 km away
- Gladstone45,185 people · ~369 km away
- Bundaberg73,747 people · ~526 km away
- Cairns153,075 people · ~591 km away
- Hervey Bay52,230 people · ~589 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Mackay?
Mackay has a population of 84,333 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #26 biggest city in Australia.
What region is Mackay in?
Mackay is located in Queensland, Australia.
Is Mackay the capital of Australia?
No, the capital of Australia is Canberra, about 1,571 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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