🔍

Hat Head

NSW 2440 • New South Wales

365
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
34.53 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
CoastalNational ParkSurfingUnspoiledHoliday Village
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About Hat Head

Hat Head is a small coastal village in the Kempsey Shire on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, located 28 kilometres northeast of Kempsey and 459 kilometres north of Sydney. With a population of 365 at the 2021 census across 34.5 square kilometres, it sits on a dramatic headland within Hat Head National Park, surrounded by pristine beach, rainforest, and wetlands. The village is named after the hat-shaped rocky headland that dominates the coastline.

Hat Head offers one of the NSW coast's most unspoiled beach experiences, with its long, uncrowded surf beach, national park bushwalks, and the scenic Korogoro Point walking track. The village has a general store, holiday park, and bowling club, maintaining a quiet, uncommercialised character. It attracts surfers, anglers, nature lovers, and holiday-makers seeking an authentic, low-key coastal escape. The village is surrounded by Hat Head National Park on three sides, making it a genuine nature retreat.

Hat Head falls under postcode 2440 and is governed by the Kempsey Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Cowper, while state elections fall under the Oxley electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2440
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Kempsey
Federal Electorate
Cowper
State Electorate
Oxley
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-30.38°, 153.02°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
34.53 km²
Population Density
11 /km²
Elevation
0m

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🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.1M
7 sales · ▲ 37.5% 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.

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2440

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2440, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$39,686
Median 2023–24
$48,150
▲ 21.3% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$54,886

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2440; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Kempsey Station
28 km
N/A

Commute to Kempsey

Distance
28 km
By Train
N/A — drive to Kempsey for rail
By Bus
N/A — no regular bus
By Car (Peak)
25 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20 min

🛣️ Kempsey is the nearest town. Port Macquarie is 45 min south. Sydney is about 5 hours by car.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small village with a general store and bowling club. Beach and national park walks accessible on foot. Car needed for broader services.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
365
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Kempsey Local Government Area, which contains Hat 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)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hat Head known for? +

Hat Head is a small coastal village in the Kempsey Shire on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, located 28 kilometres northeast of Kempsey and 459 kilometres north of Sydney.

How far is Hat Head from Kempsey? +

Hat Head is approximately 28 kilometres from Kempsey. The drive takes around 25 min during peak hour and 20 min off-peak.

Does Hat Head have public transport? +

Hat Head is closest to Kempsey Station station (28 km away) on the North Coast Line (NSW TrainLink). A car or bus is needed to reach the station. There is no bus service within the suburb itself.

What is the population of Hat Head? +

According to the 2021 Census, Hat Head has a population of approximately 365 residents. It is a small community by Australian standards.

Is Hat Head a good place to live? +

Hat Head is well-regarded for its coastal lifestyle, offering natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and a relaxed community feel. It suits those who prioritise beach access and a quieter pace of life over proximity to a major city.

What is the postcode for Hat Head? +

The postcode for Hat Head in NSW is 2440.

What is the median house price in Hat Head? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,100,000, up 37.5% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

Is Hat Head a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Hat 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.