Is Mackay (QLD) Safe?

Mackay is not safe. Crime rates in this Queensland town are among the highest outside major capitals, and street location is critical to protecting your investment and family.

Worst for theft near River Street and Gordon Street

Mackay records 52,938 crimes per 100,000 residents, making it one of Australia's highest-crime regional centres. Property crime dominates, driving the vast majority of incidents. The highest-crime streets are Shakespeare Street, Gordon Street, Carlyle Street, River Street, Sydney Street, and Wood Street. Commercial blocks here average 20,086 crimes per 100,000, more than double the residential rate of 8,214 per 100,000. Commercial property crime is particularly severe, hitting 7,767 per 100,000 residents. Drugs offences spike in these commercial areas at 3,725 per 100,000, reflecting both retail theft and substance-related activity in town centres.

The safest residential pockets are Griffin Street, Nelson Street, George Street, and Matsuura Drive. These neighbourhoods see crime rates drop significantly below the suburb average. Residential blocks in these areas average 8,214 crimes per 100,000 versus 20,086 in commercial zones, a 2.4 times difference. Violent crime falls to just 1,012 per 100,000 in residential areas compared to 2,706 in commercial blocks. Property crime remains elevated but manageable: 3,308 per 100,000 in residential zones versus 7,767 commercially.

Quieter around Nelson Street and George Street

The 9-times variation between the safest and most dangerous blocks is significant. A property on Shakespeare Street faces nine times the crime exposure of one on Nelson Street. This is not marginal. Violent crime rates fluctuate from 2,706 per 100,000 commercially to 1,012 residentially. Drugs offences are particularly stark: 3,725 per 100,000 in commercial zones versus 1,791 in residential areas.

9x crime gap between streets

Mackay has 4,544 residents with a SEIFA score of just 870, indicating genuine socioeconomic disadvantage. Average income sits at 1,240 per week, well below Australian averages. Public housing comprises 11.1 per cent of the housing stock, and 14.9 per cent are welfare dependent. Renters account for 40 per cent of households. Overseas-born parents make up 32 per cent. These demographics point to financial stress and higher-risk populations, which correlates with elevated crime.

For property buyers, Mackay demands careful street selection. The commercial corridors along Shakespeare Street and Gordon Street should be avoided for residential purposes. Target residential zones near Griffin Street, Nelson Street, and George Street instead. Even here, crime remains above comfortable levels for many buyers. The 11.1 per cent public housing concentration and 20-plus year population churn suggest crime will remain endemic. Investors must price in ongoing management costs and higher vacancy risk.

Crime Breakdown