Median house price
$550k
-8.3% change
NSW · Kempsey Council
West Kempsey, 2440
Est. population · Jun 2025
5,569
Growth (1 yr)
+0.1%
Growth (5 yr)
+3.6%
Median age
40
Median income
$925/wk
Employment rate
35.7%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$550,000
Languages at home
3.4%non-English
Most common: Malayalam, Australian Indigenous languages, Cantonese
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- National parks
- High desirability
- Education hub
Suburb profile
West Kempsey is a regional mid-sized suburb in Kempsey Council, oriented around local life rather than the metro orbit of Sydney. Regional towns and local services do more of the everyday heavy lifting than the city. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with family life visible on every street.
Fitness and outdoor sport options are a real part of local life, not just a distant club trip away. Green space punches above what many regional towns offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods.
Homes are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower. A trickle of new development is refreshing selected pockets without changing the overall feel.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer community and employment, plus safety compared with similar regional towns, though schools and education remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
West Kempsey snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$480/wk
Houses $490 · Units $380
Population (ERP)
5,569
+0.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
8.2%
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
#30
among Country & regional · Established
Safety
94th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
40th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
42nd
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
- 52.4/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 26% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1867th in Australia
- State rank
- 544th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #30 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #87 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
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
5,569(June 2025)
+0.1% annual · +3.6% over 5 years · 40th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.1%
- 5-year growth
- +3.6%
- Change in 1 year
- +6
- Change in 5 years
- +195
- Growth rank in NSW
- 40th 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 (~5,750), extrapolated at +0.7% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 5,073
- Median age
- 40
- Median household income / week
- $925
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 165 of 2,015
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,170
- Employment rate
- 35.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,638 / 44 / 167 (+ 3 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)
- 914
- Against the person
- 242
- Against property
- 354
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 164.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 21 residents
- State safety percentile
- 94.4th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +5.2%
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
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 991
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 42th
School list
- St Paul's CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 999 · 46th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 641 students · Top SEA quarter 11% · 0.8 km awayView on My School →
- Kempsey High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 848 · 5th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 584 students · Top SEA quarter 2% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- St Joseph's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 991 · 42th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 332 students · Top SEA quarter 11% · 1.9 km awayView 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
3 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Dalaigur Preschool & Children ServicesNancy Ellis Streetkindergarten
- Goodstart Early Learning West KempseyKemp Streetchildcare
- Little Adventureskindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
140 public transport stops in this suburb
- Kempsey High School, Sea St
- St Paul's College, School Grounds
- St Paul's College, Sea St
- Tozer St After Polwood St
- Wide St At Sea 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
166 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 places of worship · 3 playgrounds · 2 sports centres · 77 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 15 parks mapped in suburb, 3 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 140 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 84 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 30/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 2.96
Shopping(1)
- West Kempsey General StoreConvenience store
68 Sea Street
Community(4)
- Parklands CottageCommunity centre
10 Jack Bond Crescent
- Kempsey High SchoolSchool
- Kempsey High School Agricultural SectionSchool
- St Paul's CollegeSchool
Health & services(1)
- Kempsey District HospitalHospital
Sport & outdoors(93)
- a Zen Fitness CentreGym
25 Cochrane Street
- Flanigan ParkPark
- Marrangan Burri ParkPark
- Mitchell ParkPark
- Mountain View Recreation CentrePark
- Park (3)
- Samuel Hoskins ParkPark
- Steele ParkPark
- Mountaind View PlaygroundPlayground
- Playground (2)
- Kemp Street Sporting ComplexSports centre
- Macleay Valley Equestrian ClubSports centre
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (77)
Transport(17)
17 bus stops
Other(11)
- Bleachers (10)
- Mid North Coast Institute of TAFE - Kempsey CampusCollege
- Garden (4)
- Bupa Aged Care KempseyNursing Home
- Nursing Home
- Parking (25)
- Parking Space (4)
- Kempsey CorpsPlace of worship
- Bayon HireRental
88 Broughton Street
- Shelter
- Williamson Bros. Removals & StorageStorage Rental
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
9 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Flanigan ParkPark
- Marrangan Burri ParkPark
- Mitchell ParkPark
- Mountain View Recreation CentrePark
- River Street ParkPark
- Samuel Hoskins ParkPark
- Sea Street ParkPark
- Steele ParkPark
- Wigay Aboriginal Cultural ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 24
- Parks (OSM)
- 15
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
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Kempsey Corps
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 4
- Nearest hospital
- Kempsey District Hospital (1.5 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- AB SurgeryElbow StreetYes
- Johnston HDKemp StreetDoctor
- Kempsey District HospitalHospital
- Kempsey Medical CentreClinic
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)
- 364
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 65.4
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· 14 proposals
August 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies26 NORTH STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia82 KEMP STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation2 PANTON PLACE WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation91 SEA STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah17 YATES PLACE WEST KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation5 GEOFFREY O'HEA STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport20 JAMES RAMSAY PLACE WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Supporting Development15 JUBILEE LANE WEST KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
April 2026
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah8 CARRINGTON STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation10 PANTON PLACE WEST KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure18 BROUGHTON STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Telecommunications network; Telecommunications facility76 NORTH STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space23 SHORT STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
February 2026
- Demolition; Swimming pool26 COCHRANE STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
2025· 21 proposals
December 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home11 JACK BOND CRESCENT WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Carport15 DANGAR STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Hotel or motel accommodation; Advertising and signage; Erection of a new structure2 EDINBURGH LANE WEST KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Moveable dwelling; Non-standard Housing53 TOZER STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Additional Information Requested
September 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Swimming pool15 JUBILEE LANE WEST KEMPSEY 2440Deferred Commencement
August 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Telecommunications facility76 NORTH STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Withdrawn
July 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport96 KEMP STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Other Infrastructure42 SALEYARDS ROAD WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
June 2025
- Demolition; Residential flat building; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure2 KEITH MOSES CRESCENT WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Residential flat building; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure2 GORDON NIXON AVENUE WEST KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
- Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure6 KEITH MOSES CRESCENT WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure13 GEORGE HARDIMAN AVENUE WEST KEMPSEY 2440Additional Information Requested
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure; Semi-detached dwelling23 GORDON NIXON AVENUE WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)21 COCHRANE STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
May 2025
- Seniors housing; Residential care facility; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure88 LEITH STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation73-79 TABRETT STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development90 ELBOW STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure82 KEMP STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
March 2025
- Signage; Advertising and signage64-66 ELBOW STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Vehicle Sales or Hire Premises; Hours of operation and trading86 BROUGHTON STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Withdrawn
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure11 GREENFIELDS AVENUE WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
2024· 7 proposals
December 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Infrastructure70 GRIFFINS LANE WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Demolition; Commercial development; Office Premise; Erection of a new structureDANGAR STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
November 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Other Infrastructure42 SALEYARDS ROAD WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport130 RIVER STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
October 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah88 RIVER STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Carport15 DANGAR STREET WEST KEMPSEY 2440Withdrawn
August 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Carport114 RIVER STREET WEST 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
- 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 16.9 km away).
Coalition 62.8%Labor 37.2%
3.7 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -2.3 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- Kempsey HeightsLabor 37.1% · Coalition 62.9% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
- KempseyLabor 41.6% · Coalition 58.4% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
- Kempsey SouthLabor 40.4% · Coalition 59.6% TPP (2025)3.2 km away
- Kempsey EastLabor 35.5% · Coalition 64.5% TPP (2025)3.3 km away
- AldavillaLabor 32.0% · Coalition 68.0% TPP (2025)3.7 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)
- 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.