🔍

Crescent Head

NSW 2440 • Rest of NSW

1,633
Population (2021)
$68,484
Median Household Income
181.87 km²
Area
$320/wk
Median Rent
CoastalSurfingRetirementSea-ChangeHistoric

About Crescent Head

Crescent Head is a laid-back coastal town on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, 340 kilometres north of Sydney in the Kempsey Shire. With a population of around 1,633 (2021 census) and a median age of 50, this is a mature seaside community with deep roots dating back to 1894. The town sits on a dramatic headland overlooking crescent-shaped beaches that give it its name.

Famous as a world-class longboard surfing destination since the 1960s, Crescent Head hosts the annual Malibu Classic and attracts surfers from across Australia. The relaxed village features a country club, tavern, holiday parks, and a scenic 6-hole golf course overlooking the sea. Tourism and fishing are the primary industries, and the town draws retirees, sea-changers, and surf enthusiasts who value the uncrowded beaches, national park surrounds, and tight-knit community atmosphere.

Crescent Head falls under postcode 2440 and is governed by Kempsey Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Oxley electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2440
Urban Area
Kempsey - Surrounds
LGA / Council
Kempsey
Federal Electorate
Cowper
State Electorate
Oxley
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-31.21°, 152.93°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
181.87 km²
Elevation
1m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Crescent Head for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$1.02M
24 sales · ▼ 13.1% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$590K
5 sales · ▼ 10.3% vs 2024

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$320
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,591
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
50 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.6%

0 state housing + 4 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Kempsey
22 km
N/A (drive)

Bus Services

  • 345 — Kempsey via Belgrave Street 25 min

Commute to Kempsey

Distance
22 km
By Bus
25 min (Route 345, runs 4 times daily)
By Car (Peak)
20 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
18 min

🛣️ Bus 345 connects to Kempsey for coach services to Sydney and Coffs Harbour. No direct train—nearest rail is Kempsey coach stop.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Village centre and beach walkable; car essential for shopping in Kempsey and all major services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Crescent Head, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Marie Short Farmhouse Kempsey
Beranghi Road, Crescent Head • SHR #02070

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Kempsey Local Government Area, which contains Crescent Head. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
781.9 / 100k
2yr Down 26.6% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
539.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 8.2%
Non-DV assault
687.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 3.5%
Robbery (unarmed)
12.6 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
353.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
View all 62 offence types for Kempsey →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,531
Census 2021
1,633
▲ 6.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$28,340
Personal Income 2021
$35,048
▲ 23.7% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$35,048 / yr
$674/wk
Household
$68,484 / yr
$1317/wk
Family
$80,392 / yr
$1546/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,330
Born Overseas 180

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 54
  • 2. New Zealand 19
  • 3. United States 19
  • 4. Philippines 13
  • 5. Germany 11
  • 6. South Africa 10
  • 7. Brazil 6
  • 8. Netherlands 6
  • 9. Pakistan 6
  • 10. Thailand 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 756
Australian 655
Irish 211
Scottish 167
Australian Aboriginal 127
German 72
Italian 29
Dutch 21
French 17
New Zealander 16

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,092
Both parents born in Australia
213
Both parents born overseas
204
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
48.3%
Christianity
41.9%
Buddhism
1.2%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
78 (4.8%)
5-14 years
170 (10.4%)
15-19 years
71 (4.3%)
20-24 years
55 (3.4%)
25-34 years
147 (9.0%)
35-44 years
165 (10.1%)
45-54 years
211 (12.9%)
55-64 years
305 (18.7%)
65-74 years
286 (17.5%)
75-84 years
106 (6.5%)
85+ years
26 (1.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Crescent Head known for? +

Famous as a world-class longboard surfing destination since the 1960s, Crescent Head hosts the annual Malibu Classic and attracts surfers from across Australia.

How far is Crescent Head from Sydney CBD? +

Crescent Head is approximately 22 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately 20 min in peak hour and 18 min off-peak.

Does Crescent Head have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Kempsey (22 km away, approximately N/A (drive) walk) on the NSW TrainLink North Coast Line (coach connection). Bus services include 345, running to Kempsey via Belgrave Street in approximately 25 min.

What is the population of Crescent Head? +

According to the 2021 Census, Crescent Head has a population of 1,633 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Crescent Head a good place to live? +

Crescent Head is well-suited to a range of residents, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. The relaxed village features a country club, tavern, holiday parks, and a scenic 6-hole golf course overlooking the sea.

What is the postcode for Crescent Head? +

The postcode for Crescent Head is 2440. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Crescent Head? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Crescent Head is about $674 per week (around $35,000 per year). The median household income is $1,317 per week and the median family income is $1,546 per week.

What is the median house price in Crescent Head? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,020,500, down 13.1% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $590,000, down 10.3% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Crescent Head? +

The median age in Crescent Head is 50. The largest age group is 55–64 (305 residents, around 19%). Around 20% of residents are under 20 and about 26% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Crescent Head a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Crescent Head is part of the Kempsey LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Crescent Head? +

In Crescent Head, the median weekly rent is $320, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,591 (2021 Census).