Median house price
$550k
-8.3% change
NSW · Kempsey Council
South Kempsey, 2440
Est. population · Jun 2025
2,782
Growth (1 yr)
+0.2%
Growth (5 yr)
+3.5%
Median age
42
Median income
$1,074/wk
Employment rate
40.5%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$550,000
Languages at home
2.5%non-English
Most common: Punjabi, Mandarin, Australian Indigenous languages
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- National parks
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
South Kempsey is a quieter mid-sized suburb in Kempsey Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with family life visible on every street. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name.
Local shops are sparse, so a fuller set of amenities usually means travelling to a neighbouring town or regional hub. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Buses make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward.
Housing is more affordable than in many parts of the state. Light infill development is updating a few streets while the wider area stays largely unchanged.
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
South Kempsey snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$480/wk
Houses $490 · Units $380
Population (ERP)
2,782
+0.2% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
8.0%
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
#100
among Country & regional · Established
Safety
95th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
42nd
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
2nd
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
- 35.5/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4576th in Australia
- State rank
- 1461st in NSW
- Peer rank
- #100 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #552 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 96%
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
2,782(June 2025)
+0.2% annual · +3.5% over 5 years · 42th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.2%
- 5-year growth
- +3.5%
- Change in 1 year
- +6
- Change in 5 years
- +93
- Growth rank in NSW
- 42th 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 (~2,850), extrapolated at +0.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 2,604
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $1,074
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 77 of 967
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,300
- Employment rate
- 40.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 805 / 6 / 36 (+ 34 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)
- 457
- Against the person
- 121
- Against property
- 177
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 164.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 22 residents
- State safety percentile
- 94.6th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +5.3%
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
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 787
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 2th
School list
- Macleay Vocational CollegeSpecial · Independent · ICSEA 787 · 2th percentile · LBOTE 0% · 88 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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Dalaigur Preschool & Children’s Serviceskindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
79 public transport stops in this suburb
- Crescent Head Rd At Rifle Range Rd
- Crescent Head Rd At Yabsleys Lane
- Crescent Head Rd Opp Blairs Lane
- Crescent Head Rd Opp Yabsleys Lane
- Macleay Vocational College, Queen 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
Parks & reserves
3 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Andrew Pacey ParkPark
- Gill ParkPark
- Visitor Information ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 13
- Parks (OSM)
- 6
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 (6.5 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)
- 168
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 60.4
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· 20 proposals
August 2026
- Industrial development; Erection of a new structure; Light industry32 ANGUS MCNEIL CRESCENT SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation114 CRESCENT HEAD ROAD SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure8 LOIS LANE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
July 2026
- Industrial development; Erection of a new structure399 Macleay Valley Way South KempseyUnder Assessment
June 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure21 NICHOLSON STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure47 Albert Street, South KempseyDetermined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)73 HARRY BOYES AVENUE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Deferred Commencement
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport; Shipping containers56 BLOOMFIELD STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool154 SETTLERS WAY SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4A YARRAVEL STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 WEST STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure32 ALLEN LANE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure106 SETTLERS WAY SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
March 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Vehicle repair station25-31 SOUTH STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Additional Information Requested
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation11 RONALD WIXTED AVENUE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Attached dwelling; Medium Density Housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure57 LACHLAN STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure2 NICHOLSON STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
January 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Waste disposal facility638 CRESCENT HEAD ROAD SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Industrial development; Erection of a new structure; General industry17 ZYLPHA DRIVE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
- Subdivision434 MACLEAY VALLEY WAY SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
2025· 24 proposals
December 2025
- Warehouse or distribution centre; Erection of a new structure11 Zylpha Drive South Kempsey NSW 2440Under Assessment
- Subdivision1-19 ANGUS MCNEIL CRESCENT SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Industrial development; Subdivision; General industry10 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Carport4 WEST STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Deferred Commencement
- Subdivision476 MACLEAY VALLEY WAY SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool224 KEMPS ROAD SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Demolition4A YARRAVEL STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
September 2025
- Subdivision34C YABSLEYS LANE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure284 CRESCENT HEAD ROAD SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Manufactured home33 MIDDLETON STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
August 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Light industry18 ZYLPHA DRIVE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Educational establishment; Erection of a new structure; School21 QUEEN STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Subdivision476 MACLEAY VALLEY WAY SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Industrial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure42-102 SOUTH STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Restaurant or cafe; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Food and drink premise2 PRINCE STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
July 2025
- Subdivision104 LIKA DRIVE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Demolition; Educational establishment; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; School112 CRESCENT HEAD ROAD SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Additional Information Requested
- Commercial development; Subdivision; Office Premise; Erection of a new structure; Shop45 LACHLAN STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
- Warehouse or distribution centre; Erection of a new structure42 LACHLAN STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Other Infrastructure98 SETTLERS WAY SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Commercial development; Office Premise; Erection of a new structure7-11 HARRY BOYES AVENUE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
May 2025
- Subdivision38-44 ANGUS MCNEIL CRESCENT SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Subdivision45 LACHLAN STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
April 2025
- Demolition7-11 HARRY BOYES AVENUE SOUTH KEMPSEY 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 13.8 km away).
Coalition 61.8%Labor 38.2%
2.7 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -1.7 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- Kempsey SouthLabor 40.4% · Coalition 59.6% TPP (2025)3.9 km away
- Kempsey EastLabor 35.5% · Coalition 64.5% TPP (2025)4.1 km away
- KempseyLabor 41.6% · Coalition 58.4% TPP (2025)4.8 km away
- Kempsey HeightsLabor 37.1% · Coalition 62.9% TPP (2025)6.2 km away
- AldavillaLabor 32.0% · Coalition 68.0% TPP (2025)9.4 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.