NSW · Kempsey Council
South Kempsey, 2440
Current weather
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92% humidity · 11 km/h wind · 23.3° / 12.1° today · 0.5 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
South Kempsey is a quieter mid-sized suburb in Kempsey, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. A strong local centre anchors daily routines, while the surrounding region adds variety for weekends away. Leafy streets and shaded corners make the suburb feel greener and more established than many nearby.
Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with family life visible on every street. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls.
Public transport is a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. Housing remains accessible compared with many parts of the state.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities and community and employment lag similar regional towns, despite relative strength in growth momentum and parks and green space. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 2,604
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $1,074
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 77 of 967
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,300
- Employment rate
- 40.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 127 / 6 / 36
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $380
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $490
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $480
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 112
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 458
- Against the person
- 121
- Against property
- 177
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 175.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 22 residents
- State safety percentile
- 95.3th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +5.3%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order264
- Breach Bail Conditions556
- Domestic Violence Related Assault317
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment411
- Malicious Damage To Property362
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 787
- Macleay Vocational CollegeSpecial
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
79 public transport stops in this suburb
- Crescent Head Rd At Rifle Range Rd
- Crescent Head Rd At Yabsleys Lane
- Crescent Head Rd Opp Blairs Lane
- Crescent Head Rd Opp Yabsleys Lane
- Macleay Vocational College, Queen St
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- Check signage. Follow directions on site. Exercise caution. <strong>Unsealed Roads - Maintenance Grading Program</strong>To StartMaria Street24 May 2026 – 03 Jul 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
175 planning-related records
2026· 16 proposals
June 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure21 NICHOLSON STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure47 Albert Street, South KempseyDetermined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)73 HARRY BOYES AVENUE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Deferred Commencement
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport; Shipping containers56 BLOOMFIELD STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool154 SETTLERS WAY SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4A YARRAVEL STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 WEST STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure32 ALLEN LANE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure106 SETTLERS WAY SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
March 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Vehicle repair station25-31 SOUTH STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Additional Information Requested
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation11 RONALD WIXTED AVENUE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Attached dwelling; Medium Density Housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure57 LACHLAN STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure2 NICHOLSON STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Additional Information Requested
January 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Waste disposal facility638 CRESCENT HEAD ROAD SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Industrial development; Erection of a new structure; General industry17 ZYLPHA DRIVE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Additional Information Requested
- Subdivision434 MACLEAY VALLEY WAY SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
2025· 24 proposals
December 2025
- Warehouse or distribution centre; Erection of a new structure11 Zylpha Drive South Kempsey NSW 2440Under Assessment
- Subdivision1-19 ANGUS MCNEIL CRESCENT SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Industrial development; Subdivision; General industry10 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Carport4 WEST STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Deferred Commencement
- Subdivision476 MACLEAY VALLEY WAY SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool224 KEMPS ROAD SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Demolition4A YARRAVEL STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
September 2025
- Subdivision34C YABSLEYS LANE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure284 CRESCENT HEAD ROAD SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Manufactured home33 MIDDLETON STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
August 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Light industry18 ZYLPHA DRIVE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Educational establishment; Erection of a new structure; School21 QUEEN STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Subdivision476 MACLEAY VALLEY WAY SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Industrial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure42-102 SOUTH STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Restaurant or cafe; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Food and drink premise2 PRINCE STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
July 2025
- Subdivision104 LIKA DRIVE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Demolition; Educational establishment; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; School112 CRESCENT HEAD ROAD SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Additional Information Requested
- Commercial development; Subdivision; Office Premise; Erection of a new structure; Shop45 LACHLAN STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Under Assessment
- Warehouse or distribution centre; Erection of a new structure42 LACHLAN STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Other Infrastructure98 SETTLERS WAY SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Commercial development; Office Premise; Erection of a new structure7-11 HARRY BOYES AVENUE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
May 2025
- Subdivision38-44 ANGUS MCNEIL CRESCENT SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
- Subdivision45 LACHLAN STREET SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
April 2025
- Demolition7-11 HARRY BOYES AVENUE SOUTH KEMPSEY 2440Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
3 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Andrew Pacey ParkPark
- Gill ParkPark
- Visitor Information ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 1/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 1/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Dalaigur Preschool & Children’s Serviceskindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 13
- Parks (OSM)
- 6
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 36.3/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4146th in Australia
- State rank
- 1311th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #201 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #481 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 85%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Breach Apprehended Violence Ordercrime264
- Breach Bail Conditionscrime556
- Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime317
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime411
- Malicious Damage To Propertycrime362
- Crescent Head Rd At Rifle Range Rdtransport
- Crescent Head Rd At Yabsleys Lanetransport
- Crescent Head Rd Opp Blairs Lanetransport
- Crescent Head Rd Opp Yabsleys Lanetransport
- Macleay Vocational College, Queen Sttransport
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
More in Kempsey Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.