Median house price
$810k
+17% change
NSW · Kempsey Council
Arakoon, 2431
Est. population · Jun 2025
477
Growth (1 yr)
+1.1%
Growth (5 yr)
+8.9%
Median age
59
Median income
$1,321/wk
Employment rate
42.4%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$810,000
Languages at home
1%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Excellent transport
- Heritage area
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Life in Arakoon revolves around the coast at a genuine remove from Sydney. Neighbouring centres cover more of the weekly rhythm than the distant capital does. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood.
Everyday basics may be close by, but bigger shopping and services typically require a trip to a nearby centre. Open space is thinner than in many coastal suburbs, so residents often travel a little further for a longer park day. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
Versus similar coastal suburbs, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because community and employment trail behind. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Arakoon snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$550/wk
Houses $590 · Units $405
Population (ERP)
477
+1.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
22.4%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#118
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Safety
53rd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
68th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
national SEIFA decile
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 26.4/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6093rd in Australia
- State rank
- 1969th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #118 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #193 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 71%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $405
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $590
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $550
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 40
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $810,000
- Median price change
- +16.6%
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent and sales tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · January to March 2026; October to December 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
477(June 2025)
+1.1% annual · +8.9% over 5 years · 68th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.1%
- 5-year growth
- +8.9%
- Change in 1 year
- +5
- Change in 5 years
- +39
- Growth rank in NSW
- 68th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~500), extrapolated at +1.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 445
- Median age
- 59
- Median household income / week
- $1,321
- Dwelling vacancy
- 22.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 54 of 241
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 42.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 180 / 4 / 0
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 34
- Against the person
- 9
- Against property
- 17
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 71.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 49 residents
- State safety percentile
- 52.9th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -5.3%
Most common offence types
- Break And Enter Dwelling29
- Break And Enter Non-Dwelling28
- Domestic Violence Related Assault32
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment41
- Malicious Damage To Property33
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Rolling 12-month windows
Family & Lifestyle
Public transport
8 public transport stops in this suburb
- Arakoon Rd At Cockatoo Pl
- Arakoon Rd At Rocks View Cres
- Bullock Quarry Rd SWR
- Bullock Quarry Rd SWR
- Wilson St At Francis Dimond St
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
2 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 8 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 12/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0
Other(2)
- Ashdon b&bHotel
26 Smoky Ridge Drive
- Information
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Macksville Hospital (27.8 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 13
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 27.3
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 27° / 19°
- Rainfall
- 439 mm · ~55 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 24° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 494 mm · ~62 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 19° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 252 mm · ~32 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 279 mm · ~35 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal.
2026· 3 proposals
July 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure18 MARTIN STREET ARAKOON 2431Under Assessment
June 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure28 WONGA PLACE ARAKOON 2431Under Assessment
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia436 ARAKOON ROAD ARAKOON 2431Determined
2025· 3 proposals
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space; Residential Accommodation62 SMOKY RIDGE DRIVE ARAKOON 2431Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure3 WILSON STREET ARAKOON 2431Determined
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space41-43 CARDWELL STREET ARAKOON 2431Determined
2024· 9 proposals
December 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached)2 70 CARDWELL STREET ARAKOON 2431Withdrawn
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)5 CARRON CLOSE ARAKOON 2431Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2-4 GREY STREET ARAKOON 2431Determined
September 2024
- Demolition; Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Rainwater tanks; Swimming pool270 ARAKOON ROAD ARAKOON 2431Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 CARRI STREET ARAKOON 2431Determined
June 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 CARRI STREET ARAKOON 2431Determined
February 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure47 GAP BEACH ROAD ARAKOON 2431Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing32 FERN TREE CLOSE ARAKOON 2431Deferred Commencement
January 2024
- Subdivision35B ROSELLA PLACE ARAKOON 2431Withdrawn
2023· 10 proposals
November 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation20 WONGA PLACE ARAKOON 2431Determined
October 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential developmentCOCKATOO PLACE ARAKOON 2431Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure35D ROSELLA PLACE ARAKOON 2431Determined
September 2023
- Secondary dwelling5 CARRON CLOSE ARAKOON 2431Determined
- Subdivision of landROSELLA PLACE ARAKOON 2431Determined
August 2023
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing45 PALM GROVE ARAKOON 2431Determined
July 2023
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs7 CABBAGE TREE LANE ARAKOON 2431Determined
April 2023
- Pools / decks / fencing25 RUSSELL STREET ARAKOON 2431Determined
January 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development70 CARDWELL STREET ARAKOON 2431Withdrawn
- Retaining walls, protection of trees45 CARDWELL STREET ARAKOON 2431Determined
2022· 2 proposals
October 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing6-8 GREY STREET ARAKOON 2431Determined
July 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development10 WONGA PLACE ARAKOON 2431Determined
2021· 3 proposals
October 2021
- Shed47 GAP BEACH ROAD ARAKOON 2431Determined
August 2021
- Alterations and additions to residential development2 70 CARDWELL STREET ARAKOON 2431Determined
July 2021
- Secondary dwelling3 RAINFOREST LANE ARAKOON 2431Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Heritage
2 heritage places
- Smoky Cape Lighthouse GroupSouth West Rocks 10km east of KempseySHR
- Trial Bay Gaol, Breakwater and EnvironsCardwell Street, ArakoonSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Cowper
- Member of Parliament
- Pat CONAGHAN (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 131,639
- Turnout (2025)
- 90.8%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +0.5 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 59.1%Labor 40.9%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 21.8 km away).
Coalition 59.8%Labor 40.2%
0.7 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.1 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- South West RocksLabor 40.7% · Coalition 59.3% TPP (2025)3.8 km away
- South West Rocks SouthLabor 40.0% · Coalition 60.0% TPP (2025)4.0 km away
- Stuarts PointLabor 42.4% · Coalition 57.6% TPP (2025)12.7 km away
- Hat HeadLabor 40.2% · Coalition 59.8% TPP (2025)15.2 km away
- GladstoneLabor 24.9% · Coalition 75.1% TPP (2025)16.6 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Kempsey Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.