Median house price
$550k
-8.3% change
NSW · Kempsey Council
Kempsey, 2440
Est. population · Jun 2025
530
Growth (1 yr)
0.0%
Growth (5 yr)
+3.5%
Median age
43
Median income
$881/wk
Employment rate
38%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$550,000
Languages at home
5.2%non-English
Most common: Cantonese, Nepali
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- Heritage area
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Kempsey is a regional smaller community in Kempsey Council, oriented around local life rather than the metro orbit of Sydney. Neighbouring centres cover more of the weekly rhythm than the distant capital does. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with family life visible on every street.
A genuine café and dining culture runs through the area, denser than many peers of a similar size. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many regional towns, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible.
Housing is more affordable than in many parts of the state. The streetscape feels settled and established, with older homes giving the area a familiar, lived-in look.
Versus similar regional towns, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because community and employment, plus growth momentum trail behind. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Kempsey snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$480/wk
Houses $490 · Units $380
Population (ERP)
530
0.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
11.1%
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
#78
among Country & regional · Established
Safety
95th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
23rd
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
5th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
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
- 38.9/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 3963rd in Australia
- State rank
- 1216th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #78 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #393 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 93%
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
530(June 2025)
0.0% annual · +3.5% over 5 years · 23th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- 0.0%
- 5-year growth
- +3.5%
- Change in 1 year
- 0
- Change in 5 years
- +18
- Growth rank in NSW
- 23th 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 (~550), extrapolated at +0.7% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 483
- Median age
- 43
- Median household income / week
- $881
- Dwelling vacancy
- 11.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 25 of 226
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,170
- Employment rate
- 38%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 136 / 10 / 31 (+ 25 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)
- 87
- Against the person
- 23
- Against property
- 34
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 164.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 21 residents
- State safety percentile
- 94.5th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +5.1%
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
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 5
- Median school ICSEA (5 schools)
- 849
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 5th
School list
- Kempsey Adventist SchoolCombined · Independent · ICSEA 953 · 26th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 458 students · Top SEA quarter 9%View on My School →
- Kempsey East Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 875 · 7th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 180 students · Top SEA quarter 2%View on My School →
- Kempsey High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 848 · 5th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 584 students · Top SEA quarter 2%View on My School →
- Kempsey South Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 767 · 2th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 129 students · Top SEA quarter 0%View on My School →
- Melville High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 849 · 5th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 355 students · Top SEA quarter 2%View on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Public transport
27 public transport stops in this suburb
- Belgrave St At John St
- Belgrave St Opp Holman St
- Second Lane At Macleay Valley Way
- Smith St After Belgrave St
- Smith St After Stuart 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
34 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
2 restaurants · 1 fast food · 5 swimming pools · 1 petrol stations
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 4 parks mapped in suburb
- Well connected by public transport — 27 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 36/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 6.21
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 8.28
Food & drink(3)
- Kempsey Fast FoodFast food
- Moon River Motor InnRestaurant
159 Smith Street
- Moon River RestaurantRestaurant
Sport & outdoors(6)
- Park
- Colonial Court Motor InnSwimming pool
155 Smith Street
- Park Drive MotelSwimming pool
161 Smith Street
- Swimming pool (3)
Other(14)
- Kempsey Coach TerminalBus Station
- Mcallister AutosCar
117a Smith Street
- Natrad KempseyCar Parts
111 Smith Street
- RepcoCar Parts
111 Smith Street
- Kempsey Car Clean & Auto DetailingCar wash
121 Smith Street
- Sundowner Caravan ParkCaravan Site
161 Smith Street
- Garden
- Parking (5)
- Coles ExpressPetrol station
- Picnic Table (7)
- RM's Diesel & Tractor ServiceRepair
157 Smith Street
- Shelter (2)
- Vacant
- Reece PlumbingYes
111 Smith Street
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
Parks & reserves
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Riverside ParkPark
- Verge Street OvalPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 4
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
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
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 3
- Nearest hospital
- Kempsey District Hospital (2.6 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Laverty PathologySample_Collection
- OPSMOptometrist
- The Friendlies Discount PharmacyPharmacy
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)
- 35
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 66.0
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
May 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; General industry43 VERGE STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
April 2026
- Signage; Advertising and signage; Advertising structure; Supporting Development41 BELGRAVE STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
March 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Registered club1 YORK LANE KEMPSEY 2440Determined
February 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)34 FORTH STREET KEMPSEY 2440Withdrawn
2025· 7 proposals
December 2025
- Signage; Advertising and signage; Advertising structure; Supporting Development41 BELGRAVE STREET KEMPSEY 2440Withdrawn
November 2025
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4-6 SMITH STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
October 2025
- Food and drink premise; Take away food and drink; Hours of operation and trading76 SMITH STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
August 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Minor building alterations (internal)63 BELGRAVE STREET KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Community facility; Other InfrastructureBelgrave St, 2440, KempseyDetermined
March 2025
- Signage; Advertising and signage26-28 SMITH STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
February 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure2 GEOFFREY DEBENHAM STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
2024· 4 proposals
November 2024
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Specialised Retail Premises80-82 SMITH STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
October 2024
- Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure85 BELGRAVE STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
July 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care9 VERGE STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
May 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Registered club1 YORK LANE KEMPSEY 2440Determined
2023· 10 proposals
November 2023
- Business premises; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia4 5-7 CLYDE STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
October 2023
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Vehicle Sales or Hire Premises129 SMITH STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
September 2023
- Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia40 FORTH STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Co-living housing2 2 GEOFFREY DEBENHAM STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Business premises10-12 SMITH STREET KEMPSEY 2440Withdrawn
August 2023
- Shop top housing; Mixed use development; Restaurant or cafe; Office premises85 BELGRAVE STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
June 2023
- Change of use36 FORTH STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
May 2023
- Alterations and additions to commercial development; Signage; Change of use40 FORTH STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
March 2023
- Change of use36 FORTH STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
January 2023
- Signage77 BELGRAVE STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
2022· 11 proposals
October 2022
- ShedRiverside Park Eden Street KempseyDetermined
- Business premises26-28 SMITH STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
August 2022
- Alterations and additions to commercial development69 SMITH STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Other20 REGENT STREET KEMPSEY 2440Deferred Commencement
July 2022
- Take-away food and drink premises67 SMITH STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
June 2022
- Alterations and additions to commercial development1 YORK LANE KEMPSEY 2440Determined
May 2022
- Alterations and additions to commercial development118 BELGRAVE STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces11 AUSTRAL STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
April 2022
- Alterations and additions to commercial development2 JOHN STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
March 2022
- Alterations and additions to commercial development; Retail premises2 - 14 Belgrave St, Kempsey, NSW, 2440Determined
- Alterations and additions to commercial development4 JOHN STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
2021· 4 proposals
October 2021
- OtherBelgrave St, 2440, KempseyDetermined
September 2021
- Alterations and additions to commercial development82 BELGRAVE STREET KEMPSEY 2440Determined
August 2021
- Recreational UsesBELGRAVE STREET KEMPSEY 2440Withdrawn
- Restaurant or cafe5/5-7 Clyde St, Kempsey, NSW, 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)
Heritage
3 heritage places
- Kempsey Post OfficeBelgrave Street, KempseySHR
- Kempsey rail bridge over Macleay RiverNorth Coast Railway, KempseySHR
- St Andrew's Presbyterian Church and Hall67 Smith Street KempseySHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
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 16.8 km away).
Coalition 62.1%Labor 37.9%
3.0 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +0.1 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- KempseyLabor 41.6% · Coalition 58.4% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
- Kempsey HeightsLabor 37.1% · Coalition 62.9% TPP (2025)2.0 km away
- Kempsey EastLabor 35.5% · Coalition 64.5% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
- Kempsey SouthLabor 40.4% · Coalition 59.6% TPP (2025)3.3 km away
- FredericktonLabor 27.6% · Coalition 72.4% TPP (2025)4.6 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)
- 1/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 1/10
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.