🔍

West Kempsey

NSW 2440 • Rest of NSW

5,073
Population (2021)
$48,100
Median Household Income
9.43 km²
Area
$290/wk
Median Rent
RegionalAffordableFamily-FriendlyIndigenous HeritageRiver Town

About West Kempsey

West Kempsey is a residential suburb of the regional town of Kempsey on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, located approximately 430 kilometres north of Sydney. With a population of around 5,073 (2021 Census), it is home to the Kempsey Shire Council chambers, library, and the Kempsey Railway Station. The suburb sits on the western bank of the Macleay River and serves as an important administrative and transport hub for the broader Kempsey Shire. West Kempsey has a diverse community with a significant proportion of families and an above-average Indigenous population.

West Kempsey offers an affordable, laid-back regional lifestyle with access to essential services including schools, the council library, sporting grounds, and local shops. The suburb has seven parks covering nearly 8.5% of its total area, providing plenty of green space for recreation. It serves as a gateway for travellers heading west towards Armidale via the Macleay Valley Way. The Mid North Coast's beaches, including Crescent Head and South West Rocks, are within a 30-minute drive, offering residents weekend coastal escapes.

West 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
-31.06°, 152.83°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
9.43 km²
Elevation
1m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$460K
139 sales · ▲ 4.5% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$297K
12 sales · vs 2024 n/a

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)
$290
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,170
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
40 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
12.3%

107 state housing + 121 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Kempsey
0.5 km
6 min
Macksville
38 km
N/A
Wauchope
52 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink Coach 361 — Kempsey to Port Macquarie 1 hr 15 min
  • Busways local — West Kempsey to Kempsey CBD 10 min
  • NSW TrainLink Coach — Kempsey to Coffs Harbour 1 hr 30 min

Commute to Sydney (regional centre: Kempsey)

Distance
430 km
By Train
6-7 hrs to Sydney via XPT; 5 min walk to Kempsey CBD
By Bus
7.5 hrs to Sydney via coach; 10 min to Kempsey CBD
By Car (Peak)
5 hrs to Sydney; 5 min to Kempsey CBD
By Car (Off-Peak)
4.5 hrs to Sydney; 3 min to Kempsey CBD

🛣️ Kempsey Railway Station is in West Kempsey. XPT services run 4 times daily (north/south). Regional centre is Kempsey itself, just across the river.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Basic amenities including the library and council offices are within walking distance, but most errands require a car. Limited public transport within the suburb.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Kempsey Local Government Area, which contains West 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
4,919
Census 2021
5,073
▲ 3.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$23,920
Personal Income 2021
$25,636
▲ 7.2% 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
$25,636 / yr
$493/wk
Household
$48,100 / yr
$925/wk
Family
$63,076 / yr
$1213/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,213
Born Overseas 288

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 80
  • 2. Philippines 42
  • 3. New Zealand 30
  • 4. India 26
  • 5. Germany 14
  • 6. Nepal 9
  • 7. Scotland 9
  • 8. China 8
  • 9. United States 8
  • 10. Sri Lanka 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 2,024
English 1,961
Australian Aboriginal 972
Irish 497
Scottish 375
German 144
Filipino 58
Indian 43
Italian 38
Dutch 29

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,786
Both parents born in Australia
356
Both parents born overseas
319
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.3%
No Religion
36.3%
Hinduism
0.3%
Buddhism
0.3%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
328 (6.5%)
5-14 years
721 (14.2%)
15-19 years
368 (7.3%)
20-24 years
287 (5.7%)
25-34 years
534 (10.5%)
35-44 years
504 (9.9%)
45-54 years
535 (10.5%)
55-64 years
587 (11.6%)
65-74 years
589 (11.6%)
75-84 years
422 (8.3%)
85+ years
198 (3.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is West Kempsey known for? +

West Kempsey is known as an affordable residential area within the Kempsey township, serving as the main service hub for the Macleay Valley. The suburb has strong Indigenous cultural connections and is part of the broader Dunghutti Country.

How far is West Kempsey from Port Macquarie? +

West Kempsey is approximately 50 kilometres north of Port Macquarie, with a drive time of around 45-50 minutes via the Pacific Highway.

Does West Kempsey have public transport? +

West Kempsey is served by local bus routes and is close to Kempsey's regional services, including coach connections to Sydney and other NSW centres. The Pacific Highway and regional roads are the main transport links.

What is the population of West Kempsey? +

According to the 2021 Census, West Kempsey has a population of approximately 5,073 residents within the Kempsey Shire Council local government area.

Is West Kempsey a good place to live? +

West Kempsey offers affordable regional living with access to essential services, schools, and the broader amenities of Kempsey town. It suits families, retirees, and those seeking an affordable lifestyle in the Mid North Coast region.

What is the postcode for West Kempsey? +

The postcode for West Kempsey is 2440.

What is the average income in West Kempsey? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in West Kempsey is about $493 per week (around $25,600 per year). The median household income is $925 per week and the median family income is $1,213 per week.

What is the median house price in West Kempsey? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $460,000, up 4.5% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $296,500. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of West Kempsey? +

The median age in West Kempsey is 40. The largest age group is 5–14 (721 residents, around 14%). Around 28% of residents are under 20 and about 24% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is West Kempsey a safe area? +

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

In West Kempsey, the median weekly rent is $290, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,170 (2021 Census).