Employment & Commuting

Journey to work

About this topic

Journey to work shows where employed residents of Mackay (R) travel for work. It helps explain how strongly the area functions as a residential base versus a self-contained employment centre.

These flow patterns can inform transport advocacy, local jobs policy, and investment priorities by showing which external labour markets matter most to residents.

Key insight

15.0% of employed residents living in Mackay (R) worked outside Mackay (R) in 2021. Isaac was the largest external destination.

Showing

85.0%

Work locally

50,081 residents

15.0%

Commute out

8,823 residents

Chart view

Where Mackay (R) residents work

Flow shares show where employed residents work. Total employed residents: 58,904.

Employment self-sufficiency

Share of employed residents who work within the municipality.

Total employed residents: 58,904
85.0%

Mackay

85.0%

50,081

Isaac

8.3%

4,901

No Fixed Address (Qld)

3.5%

2,076

Central Highlands (Qld)

0.7%

405

Whitsunday

0.6%

350

Brisbane

0.6%

328

Townsville

0.1%

63

Rockhampton

0.1%

52

Moreton Bay

0.1%

44

Other LGAs

1.0%

604

Data table

Where Mackay (R) residents work table

Download the ranked local and external flow counts behind the chart.

AreaCountShare
Mackay50,08185.0%
Isaac4,9018.3%
No Fixed Address (Qld)2,0763.5%
Central Highlands (Qld)4050.7%
Whitsunday3500.6%
Brisbane3280.6%
Townsville630.1%
Rockhampton520.1%
Moreton Bay440.1%
Other LGAs6041.0%
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021 (usual residence journey to work data). Compiled by Geografia.