🔍

East Kempsey

NSW 2440 • Rest of NSW

1,336
Population (2021)
$58,032
Median Household Income
3.75 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
Working-ClassRegionalRiver AccessAffordableCommunity

About East Kempsey

East Kempsey is an urban suburb of Kempsey, situated in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, approximately 415 kilometres north of Sydney within Kempsey Shire. With a population of 1,336 at the 2021 census and covering a compact 3.7 square kilometres, it is a predominantly residential area east of Kempsey's town centre. The suburb sits at around 10 metres elevation near the Macleay River floodplain, with a median resident age of 41 and a weekly household income reflecting a predominantly working-class and retiree demographic.

East Kempsey offers typical suburban amenities close to Kempsey's main shopping strip, with parks, schools, and community facilities within easy reach. The Macleay River provides recreational opportunities including fishing and kayaking, while the nearby Arakoon National Park and Trial Bay Gaol are popular attractions for visitors. The suburb's proximity to South West Rocks (~30km) and other coastal beaches makes it an appealing base for those who want coastal access without beachside prices. The area has a strong community feel and is home to a mix of long-term locals, tradespeople, and retirees.

East Kempsey 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
LGA / Council
Kempsey
Federal Electorate
Cowper
State Electorate
Oxley
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-31.08°, 152.85°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
3.75 km²
Elevation
10m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$560K
39 sales · ▲ 2.8% 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)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,252
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
41 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2%

8 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Kempsey Train Station
2.5 km
30 min

Bus Services

  • Busways Mid North Coast — Kempsey Town Centre 8-12 min
  • NSW TrainLink Coach — Port Macquarie / Coffs Harbour 50 min / 1 hr 20 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
415 km
By Train
~6 hrs 30 min (NSW TrainLink Intercity from Kempsey)
By Bus
~7 hrs (NSW TrainLink coach)
By Car (Peak)
~4 hrs 45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
~4 hrs 30 min

🛣️ Kempsey has a railway station approximately 2.5km west. Port Macquarie (~80km south) is the nearest regional airport with flights to Sydney.

Walkability Car Dependent

Some walkability within the suburb and to Kempsey's town centre, but a car is generally needed for shopping, services, and most daily needs. Limited footpath coverage in outer streets.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 3 heritage-listed places in or near East Kempsey, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

St Andrew's Presbyterian Church and Hall
67 Smith Street Kempsey • SHR #00384
Kempsey rail bridge over Macleay River
North Coast Railway, Kempsey • SHR #01041
Kempsey Post Office
Belgrave Street, Kempsey • SHR #01420

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Kempsey Local Government Area, which contains East Kempsey. 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
1,358
Census 2021
1,336
▼ 1.6% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$29,588
Personal Income 2021
$33,020
▲ 11.6% 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
$33,020 / yr
$635/wk
Household
$58,032 / yr
$1116/wk
Family
$73,944 / yr
$1422/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,154
Born Overseas 81

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 19
  • 2. Philippines 15
  • 3. New Zealand 9
  • 4. Germany 7
  • 5. Thailand 6
  • 6. India 5
  • 7. Iran 5
  • 8. Malaysia 5
  • 9. Canada 3
  • 10. Netherlands 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 600
English 585
Irish 175
Australian Aboriginal 157
Scottish 128
German 48
Filipino 17
Dutch 16
New Zealander 15
Chinese 13

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,013
Both parents born in Australia
104
Both parents born overseas
109
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
49.3%
No Religion
41.5%
Buddhism
0.5%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
87 (6.5%)
5-14 years
176 (13.2%)
15-19 years
76 (5.7%)
20-24 years
72 (5.4%)
25-34 years
158 (11.8%)
35-44 years
148 (11.1%)
45-54 years
148 (11.1%)
55-64 years
168 (12.6%)
65-74 years
163 (12.2%)
75-84 years
93 (7.0%)
85+ years
43 (3.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is East Kempsey known for? +

East Kempsey offers typical suburban amenities close to Kempsey's main shopping strip, with parks, schools, and community facilities within easy reach.

How far is East Kempsey from Sydney CBD? +

East Kempsey is approximately 415 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately ~4 hrs 45 min in peak hour and ~4 hrs 30 min off-peak.

Does East Kempsey have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Kempsey Train Station (2.5 km away, approximately 30 min walk) on the NSW TrainLink North Coast Line (Sydney–Brisbane). Bus services include Busways Mid North Coast, running to Kempsey Town Centre in approximately 8-12 min.

What is the population of East Kempsey? +

According to the 2021 Census, East Kempsey has a population of 1,336 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is East Kempsey a good place to live? +

East Kempsey is well-suited to a range of residents, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. The Macleay River provides recreational opportunities including fishing and kayaking, while the nearby Arakoon National Park and Trial Bay Gaol are popular attractions for visitors.

What is the postcode for East Kempsey? +

The postcode for East Kempsey is 2440. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in East Kempsey? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in East Kempsey is about $635 per week (around $33,000 per year). The median household income is $1,116 per week and the median family income is $1,422 per week.

What is the median house price in East Kempsey? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $560,000, up 2.8% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of East Kempsey? +

The median age in East Kempsey is 41. The largest age group is 5–14 (176 residents, around 13%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 22% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is East Kempsey a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. East Kempsey 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 East Kempsey? +

In East Kempsey, the median weekly rent is $300, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,252 (2021 Census).