NSW · Kempsey Council
South West Rocks, 2431
Current weather
18.4°CClear sky
83% humidity · 11 km/h wind · 21.9° / 14.3° today · 0.9 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
South West Rocks is a regional centre in Kempsey that balances local services with a more relaxed pace of life. Life revolves around the local community, with the wider region offering trips and services when needed. A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood.
There are enough cafés and casual dining options to keep weekends interesting. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible.
Housing remains accessible compared with many parts of the state. Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker housing affordability and community and employment against similar regional towns, even with growth momentum and transport and access holding up better.
Population
- Population
- 5,058
- Median age
- 58
- Median household income / week
- $980
- Dwelling vacancy
- 21.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 589 of 2,775
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,517
- Employment rate
- 37.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 165 / 117 / 278
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)
- $405
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $590
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $550
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 40
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)
- 392
- Against the person
- 100
- Against property
- 194
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 77.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 51 residents
- State safety percentile
- 55.5th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -4.4%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Break And Enter Dwelling29
- Break And Enter Non-Dwelling28
- Domestic Violence Related Assault32
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment41
- Malicious Damage To Property33
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
- 952
- South West Rocks Public SchoolPrimary
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
50 public transport stops in this suburb
- Horseshore Bay Beach Park, Livingstone St
- Horseshore Bay Beach Park, Livingstone St
- Rocks Central Shopping Centre, Gregory St
- Rocks Central Shopping Centre, Gregory St
- South West Rocks Public School, Gregory 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)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
409 planning-related records
2026· 27 proposals
June 2026
- Dwelling house; SubdivisionCOOPER STREET EAST SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home55 ATHENA PARADE SOUTH WEST ROCKS NSW 2431Under Assessment
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation27 RUDDER STREET SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Under Assessment
May 2026
- Subdivision44 MARLIN DRIVE SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Additional Information Requested
- Residential flat building; Erection of a new structurePHILLIP DRIVE SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space21 MCINTYRE STREET SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Under Assessment
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport14 DELMER CLOSE SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure3 ANCHORAGE PLACE SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure2 RACEMOSA CIRCUIT SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure36 SUSSMAN WAY SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Under Assessment
- Subdivision15 SWIFT PLACE SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation107 GREGORY STREET SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation9 WIRANG CRESCENT SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation22 OLGA CIRCUIT SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
March 2026
- SubdivisionHILLIER PARADE SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Additional Information Requested
- Shed; Erection of a new structure39 39-89 GORDON YOUNG DRIVE SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Swimming pool57 LANDSBOROUGH STREET SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure2 1 MICHAEL PLACE SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Deferred Commencement
- Shed; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport18 STURT STREET SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Additional Information Requested
- Shed; Erection of a new structure17 CRYSTAL PLACE SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
February 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah4 MARRIOT STREET SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation10-12 STEVE EAGLETON DRIVE SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Dual occupancy; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation14 RACEMOSA CIRCUIT SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Withdrawn
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure13 HIGH STREET SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Under Assessment
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)7 PLATYPUS WAY SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)23 PLATYPUS WAY SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)63 OCEAN STREET SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Additional Information Requested
2025· 13 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space17 CURRAWONG CRESCENT SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure13 PANORAMA AVENUE SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Subdivision39-41 FREDERICK KELLY STREET SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Seniors housing; Independent living units; Erection of a new structure50-52 BELLE O'CONNOR STREET SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Signage; Commercial development; Erection of a new structure; Food and drink premisePHILLIP DRIVE SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)11 PLATYPUS WAY SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
November 2025
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation3 SWIFT PLACE SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool7 WAIANBAR AVENUE SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Subdivision12-14 COOPER STREET SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
October 2025
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation23 TREVOR JUDD AVENUE SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Seniors housing; Independent living units; Erection of a new structure50-52 BELLE O'CONNOR STREET SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)8 PLATYPUS WAY SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation28 MYEE CIRCUIT SOUTH WEST ROCKS 2431Withdrawn
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
74 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Liquorbarn Drive ThruAlcohol
- LiquorlandAlcohol
- South West Rocks CellarsAlcohol
- NABATM
- Shoeys BakeryBakery
- CoastlineBank
- NABBank
- Bbq
- Cook Dr opp Arthur StBus stop
- Gilbert Cory St at Government RdBus stop
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
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
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Brighton ParkPark
- Horseshore Bay Beach ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 5
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Douglass Hanly Moirsample_collection
- Eyecare Plusoptometrist
- South West Rocks Community Health CentreSteve Eagleton Driveclinic
- South West Rocks Dentaldentist
- TerryWhite Chemmartpharmacy
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
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
Heritage
1 state heritage place
- South West Rocks Pilot Station Complex5 Ocean Drive South West RocksSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- South West Rocks Preschoolkindergarten
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)
- 3
- Parks (OSM)
- 2
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
- 48.0/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 33% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2187th in Australia
- State rank
- 689th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #53 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #149 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Adrian Hair at The Rocksamenitieshairdresser
- Anglican Op Shopamenitiescharity
- BP South West Rocksamenitiesfuel
- Ball's Butcheryamenitiesbutcher
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Boulders Bar and Bistroamenitiesrestaurant
- Calvary The Marineramenitiessocial_facility
- Cantonese Inn Chinese Restaurantamenitiesrestaurant
- Chillati Gelatoamenities31 Livingstone Street, South West Rocksice_cream
- Chop 'n Chillamenitiesrestaurant
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
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.