🔍

South Kempsey

NSW 2440 • Rest of NSW

2,604
Population (2021)
$55,848
Median Household Income
66.27 km²
Area
$270/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyAffordableRural

About South Kempsey

South Kempsey is a suburb of Kempsey in the Kempsey Shire on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, separated from the main town by the Macleay River. With a population of approximately 2,604 residents, it is a sizable residential area within the greater Kempsey township, situated around 430 kilometres north of Sydney and close to the Pacific Highway corridor. The suburb shares Kempsey's postcode of 2440 and offers affordable housing options within easy reach of the town's services, schools, and the heritage-listed North Coast railway.

The community in South Kempsey is working-class and family-oriented, with access to Kempsey's broader amenity including supermarkets, medical services, and a hospital. The area's proximity to the Macleay River offers recreational fishing and kayaking opportunities, while the Mid North Coast's beaches at Hat Head and Crescent Head are within a short drive. South Kempsey appeals to first home buyers and families seeking affordable living with regional connectivity, and the town is well served by the Kempsey railway station on the North Coast line.

South 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
Old Burnt - New Burnt Bridge - Greenhill
LGA / Council
Kempsey
Federal Electorate
Cowper
State Electorate
Oxley
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-31.12°, 152.84°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
66.27 km²
Elevation
44m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$440K
73 sales · ▲ 18.9% 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)
$270
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2.6 people
Median Age
42 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
7.9%

36 state housing + 34 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Kempsey Station
2.5 km
30 min

Bus Services

  • Kempsey local bus services — Kempsey town centre Approx. 10 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
430 km
By Train
NSW TrainLink North Coast line to Central; approx. 6 hours
By Car (Peak)
approx. 4h 45min via Pacific Highway/M1
By Car (Off-Peak)
approx. 4h 30min

🛣️ Nearest airport is Kempsey Airport (YKEM) with limited services; Port Macquarie Airport is approx. 50 km south.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Good access to local shops and services on foot within the Kempsey area; footpaths present in residential streets.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🌳 Parks & Reserves

There are 3 parks and reserves in South Kempsey.

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Kempsey Local Government Area, which contains South 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
2,302
Census 2021
2,604
▲ 13.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$23,244
Personal Income 2021
$27,404
▲ 17.9% 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
$27,404 / yr
$527/wk
Household
$55,848 / yr
$1074/wk
Family
$67,652 / yr
$1301/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,113
Born Overseas 150

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 26
  • 2. New Zealand 25
  • 3. Philippines 21
  • 4. Germany 11
  • 5. China 8
  • 6. Scotland 8
  • 7. Canada 5
  • 8. India 4
  • 9. Indonesia 4
  • 10. Ireland 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,052
English 952
Australian Aboriginal 493
Irish 207
Scottish 181
German 77
Italian 30
Filipino 29
Chinese 20
New Zealander 19

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,907
Both parents born in Australia
196
Both parents born overseas
164
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
44.7%
No Religion
39.4%
Buddhism
0.5%
Islam
0.3%
Sikhism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
145 (5.6%)
5-14 years
400 (15.4%)
15-19 years
181 (7.0%)
20-24 years
120 (4.6%)
25-34 years
274 (10.5%)
35-44 years
280 (10.8%)
45-54 years
337 (12.9%)
55-64 years
371 (14.2%)
65-74 years
303 (11.6%)
75-84 years
160 (6.1%)
85+ years
36 (1.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is South Kempsey? +

South Kempsey is a suburb of Kempsey on the Mid North Coast of NSW, separated from the main town by the Macleay River. It has a population of about 2,604 residents.

What train line serves South Kempsey? +

The NSW TrainLink North Coast line serves Kempsey Station, approximately 2.5 km from South Kempsey, with services running north to Coffs Harbour and south to Sydney Central (approximately 6 hours).

What schools are in South Kempsey? +

South Kempsey is served by schools across the Kempsey area including Kempsey South Public School, Kempsey High School, and St Joseph's Catholic School.

What is the median house price in South Kempsey? +

South Kempsey is generally considered an affordable area within Kempsey Shire. House prices are typically lower than coastal towns in the region.

What beaches are near South Kempsey? +

South Kempsey is around 30 km from Hat Head National Park and the beaches of Crescent Head, South West Rocks, and Hat Head are all within a short drive.

What is the average income in South Kempsey? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in South Kempsey is about $527 per week (around $27,400 per year). The median household income is $1,074 per week and the median family income is $1,301 per week.

What is the age profile of South Kempsey? +

The median age in South Kempsey is 42. The largest age group is 5–14 (400 residents, around 15%). Around 28% of residents are under 20 and about 19% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is South Kempsey a safe area? +

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

What is the population of South Kempsey? +

South Kempsey had a population of 2,604 at the 2021 Census, up 13.1% from 2,302 in 2016.

How much is rent in South Kempsey? +

In South Kempsey, the median weekly rent is $270, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,300 (2021 Census).