Median house price
$550k
-8.3% change
NSW · Kempsey Council
Hat Head, 2440
Est. population · Jun 2025
342
Growth (1 yr)
+0.6%
Growth (5 yr)
+2.4%
Median age
60
Median income
$990/wk
Employment rate
39.7%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$550,000
Languages at home
1.7%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Kempsey Council, Hat Head keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.
With limited local amenities, residents regularly travel to a neighbouring town for shops, appointments and a wider choice. Pocket parks and green corners give residents room to get outside without leaving the neighbourhood. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area.
Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range. The streetscape feels settled and established, with older homes giving the area a familiar, lived-in look.
The desirability picture is below average, weighed down by softer local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus community and employment relative to similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Hat Head snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$480/wk
Houses $490 · Units $380
Population (ERP)
342
+0.6% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
49.8%
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
#594
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
94th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
52nd
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
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
- 17.6/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6816th in Australia
- State rank
- 2133rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #594 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #1045 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 81%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $380
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $490
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $480
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 112
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $550,000
- Median price change
- -8.3%
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
342(June 2025)
+0.6% annual · +2.4% over 5 years · 52th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.6%
- 5-year growth
- +2.4%
- Change in 1 year
- +2
- Change in 5 years
- +8
- Growth rank in NSW
- 52th 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 (~350), extrapolated at +0.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 365
- Median age
- 60
- Median household income / week
- $990
- Dwelling vacancy
- 49.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 164 of 329
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,860
- Employment rate
- 39.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 141 / 8 / 3 (+ 14 other)
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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 56
- Against the person
- 15
- Against property
- 22
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 163.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 24 residents
- State safety percentile
- 94.3th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +4%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order264
- Breach Bail Conditions556
- Domestic Violence Related Assault317
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment411
- Malicious Damage To Property362
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
4 public transport stops in this suburb
- Gap St Hat Head
- Gap St Hat Head
- Vine St At Day St
- Vine St At Day 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
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
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
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 1
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Kempsey District Hospital (19.8 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)
- 12
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 35.1
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· 4 proposals
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure9 BORONIA AVENUE HAT HEAD 2440Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Registered club2 MYRTLE STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
May 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Emergency services facility2A MYRTLE STREET HAT HEAD 2440Under Assessment
February 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool35 MARLIN CIRCUIT HAT HEAD 2440Determined
2025· 8 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure2 VINE STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure48 BAY STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
July 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation97 STRAIGHT STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation32 STRAIGHT STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space49 STRAIGHT STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 HUTCHESON STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Fences; Garage, carport or carparking space93 STRAIGHT STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure16 HUTCHESON STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
2024· 14 proposals
November 2024
- Temporary building, structure or use; Market1 STRAIGHT STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah18 BAY STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure18 HUTCHESON STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation12 LEDGE STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support10 MOWONG CLOSE HAT HEAD 2440Determined
August 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Community facilityMRYTLE ST HAT HEADDetermined
- Erection of a new structure; Recreation area; Other Infrastructure; Infrastructure2 MYRTLE STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
July 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure43 STRAIGHT STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
June 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Carport8 OAK STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
April 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Tourist and visitor accommodation11 CREEK STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 HUTCHESON STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
February 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Recreation area; Other Infrastructure; Infrastructure2 MYRTLE STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
January 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure18 HUTCHESON STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation12 LEDGE STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
2023· 14 proposals
December 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Swimming pool1 LEDGE STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
October 2023
- Shed; Erection of a new structure43 STRAIGHT STREET HAT HEAD 2440Withdrawn
September 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development32 BAY STREET HAT HEAD 2440Withdrawn
August 2023
- Pools / decks / fencing10 MOWONG CLOSE HAT HEAD 2440Determined
- Shed24 MARLIN CIRCUIT HAT HEAD 2440Determined
July 2023
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing12 LEDGE STREET HAT HEAD 2440Withdrawn
June 2023
- Dwelling8 MOWONG CLOSE HAT HEAD 2440Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development30 BAY STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
- Dwelling32 MARLIN CIRCUIT HAT HEAD 2440Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing11 CREEK STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
- Shed11 BREAM CLOSE HAT HEAD 2440Determined
May 2023
- Dwelling56 STRAIGHT STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
April 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development89 STRAIGHT STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
March 2023
- Shed30 BAY STREET HAT HEAD 2440Determined
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)
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 18.5 km away).
Coalition 60.8%Labor 39.2%
1.7 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +0.5 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Hat HeadLabor 40.2% · Coalition 59.8% TPP (2025)2.2 km away
- GladstoneLabor 24.9% · Coalition 75.1% TPP (2025)8.5 km away
- FredericktonLabor 27.6% · Coalition 72.4% TPP (2025)14.5 km away
- Crescent HeadLabor 49.3% · Coalition 50.7% TPP (2025)16.0 km away
- Kempsey EastLabor 35.5% · Coalition 64.5% TPP (2025)17.7 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)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
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.