Crescent Head
An older, low-density coastal market, Crescent Head has 1,633 residents, a median age of 50, and 13.9% of dwellings vacant. Detached homes account for 82.3%, while 51.6% are owned outright, pointing to a settled base rather than a highly leveraged one. Household income sits at the 32.7th percentile nationally, and 25.6% hold university qualifications, 4.5 percentage points below the national level. Compared with nearby Kempsey and larger Port Macquarie, Crescent Head is smaller and more holiday-influenced, with 16.5% working from home and 72.8% driving to work. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts of 756, 211 and 167 reinforce an older, Anglo-leaning profile.
Local council: Kempsey
Population
1,633
Median Age
50.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,317/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
51
Crescent Head suits buyers seeking a mostly detached, lower-density setting. Separate houses make up 82.3% of dwellings, with 39.8% having 3 bedrooms and 27.7% having 4 or more, so the stock leans toward conventional family homes. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,591 and mortgage costs equal 27.9% of household income, while 51.6% own outright. Compared with apartment-heavy coastal markets, buyers get more land-oriented choice but less unit variety. The 13.9% vacancy rate means some listings may reflect holiday or occasional use, so recent settled sales should be checked carefully in a small market of 1,633 people.
For Buyers
Crescent Head suits buyers seeking a mostly detached, lower-density setting. Separate houses make up 82.3% of dwellings, with 39.8% having 3 bedrooms and 27.7% having 4 or more, so the stock leans toward conventional family homes. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,591 and mortgage costs equal 27.9% of household income, while 51.6% own outright. Compared with apartment-heavy coastal markets, buyers get more land-oriented choice but less unit variety. The 13.9% vacancy rate means some listings may reflect holiday or occasional use, so recent settled sales should be checked carefully in a small market of 1,633 people.
For Investors
Investors face a mixed income picture. Weekly rent is $320 and 24.7% of occupied dwellings are rented, but vacancy is 13.9%, higher than in a tightly occupied market and a reason to test long-term tenant demand rather than assume every property will lease quickly. Rent accounts for 24.3% of household income, while 49 development applications were lodged in 12 months, including subdivision and dwelling-house proposals. That pipeline may expand choice and competition in an 82.3% detached-house market. Compared with lower-vacancy regional suburbs, Crescent Head needs conservative assumptions for vacancy, maintenance and seasonal use. Owner occupancy of 51.6% can support neighbourhood stability but may limit rental depth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
196
Last 12 Months
51
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+70.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Crescent Head
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
With a median age of 50, Crescent Head is 10 years above the national comparison, making ageing a central planning issue. Average household size is 2.2, or 0.3 below the national figure, and couples without children represent 47.6% of families, compared with 31.6% couples with children. University attainment is 25.6%, 4.5 percentage points below national, while overseas-born residents are 11.9%, 9.7 points below national. English ancestry counts 756, Irish 211 and Scottish 167; no religion totals 773 versus 685 identifying with Christianity. Compared with younger or more migrant-heavy regional centres, the profile is older, smaller-household and Anglo-leaning, helping explain demand for lower-maintenance homes and local health services.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
82.3%
Houses
8.9%
Townhouse
7.2%
Apartment
Tenure
At 181.87 sq km and 9.0 people per sq km, Crescent Head has a dispersed, low-density housing pattern. Separate houses account for 82.3%, compared with 7.2% apartments and 8.9% semi-detached dwellings. Tenure is settled: 51.6% own outright, 22.9% have a mortgage and 24.7% rent. The bedroom mix is led by 3-bedroom homes at 39.8%, followed by 4 or more at 27.7% and 2-bedroom stock at 23.1%. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,591 and the mortgage stress flag is false at 27.9% of household income. Compared with higher-density coastal suburbs, there is more detached choice but less apartment supply. Vacancy is 13.9%, so dwelling use should be checked carefully.
Mortgage / mo
$1,591
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $320.
$490
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $505 · units $383
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$674
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
13.9%
Unoccupied
104
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.9%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
31.6%
Couples with children
47.6%
Couples, no children
17.2%
Single parent
424
Total families
Economy & Employment
Crescent Head's workforce is concentrated in service and construction roles. Education employs 91 people, or 19.1% of workers, followed by healthcare at 18.3% and construction at 14.9%; public administration and hospitality contribute 7.8% and 7.6%. Professionals are the largest occupation group at 166, ahead of trades at 102 and managers at 99. Unemployment is 5.0%, participation is 51.8% and the full-time rate is 44.8%, while 311 people work part-time. Personal income is $674 a week and household income is $1,317, placing households at the 32.7th percentile nationally. Compared with larger employment centres, the mix relies more on local services, and the older age profile helps explain lower participation and strong healthcare representation.
Unemployment
5.0%
Labour Force
715
Unemployed
36
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
44.8%
Part-time
45.8%
Participation
51.8%
Employed
679
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
25.6%
Postgraduate
4.0%
Born Overseas
11.9%
Dwellings
649
Transport to Work
Daily life is car-oriented: 72.8% of commuters drive, while 6.4% walk or cycle and 16.5% work from home. One government primary school operates within the suburb; families planning for secondary years should check enrolment zones and travel to nearby centres. Compared with larger regional hubs, local school choice and service depth are narrower, so access to shops, healthcare and education should be tested from the exact address. The density is 9.0 people per sq km and the median age is 50, supporting a quieter setting but making mobility and service access important for older residents. No suburb-level crime rate is stated, so safety comparisons should use recent incidents and street-level checks rather than assumptions.
Drive
72.8%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
6.4%
Work from Home
16.5%
Growth Outlook
Growth should be assessed through supply activity and resident stability. Crescent Head has 49 development applications in 12 months, including subdivision and dwelling-house proposals, a sizeable pipeline for a settlement of 1,633 people. However, 76.6% of residents stayed at the same address and turnover was 23.4%, indicating a more settled base than a high-churn market. At 9.0 people per sq km across 181.87 sq km, new supply may matter more through subdivision and infill than dense apartment construction. Compared with larger regional centres, growth is more sensitive to a small number of projects, local services and holiday-home use. Track approvals through to completed dwellings before treating the pipeline as delivered housing.
Population trend: Kempsey council area
Crescent Head sits in the Kempsey council area. These are the council area's residents, not Crescent Head's.
Residents 2025
31,950
Growth, 5 yr average
+0.9%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+0.4%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Crescent Head compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crescent Head a good suburb to live in?
Crescent Head can suit people seeking a quieter, low-density coastal setting, with 1,633 residents and a median age of 50. Compared with larger centres, it has fewer local services and is more car dependent, with 72.8% driving to work and 16.5% working from home.
What is the median house price in Crescent Head?
No current median house price is provided for Crescent Head. Compare recent settled sales by street, dwelling type and land size because 82.3% of homes are separate houses and the 13.9% vacancy rate can make a small-market median less representative.
What schools are in Crescent Head?
Crescent Head has 1 listed government primary school, Crescent Head Public School. Families needing secondary education should check enrolment zones and travel times to nearby centres. Compared with larger regional locations, the local school mix is narrower.
Is Crescent Head safe?
A suburb-level crime rate is not available for a reliable comparison. Safety should be checked through recent incident maps and at street level, particularly when comparing 1,633 residents spread across 181.87 sq km. Conditions can differ between the village, holiday areas and more isolated roads.
Is Crescent Head good for property investment?
Crescent Head may suit investors comfortable with a smaller coastal market. Weekly rent is $320 and 24.7% of dwellings are rented, but vacancy is 13.9%, higher than a tightly occupied market. The 49 development applications in 12 months also warrant checking future competition.
How is Crescent Head's population changing?
Crescent Head has 1,633 residents, with 76.6% staying at the same address and 23.4% moving during the reference period. Compared with high-turnover markets, that indicates a more settled population. The 49 development applications in 12 months could change housing supply without confirming a matching rise in residents.
What development is occurring in Crescent Head?
There were 49 development applications in 12 months, including subdivision proposals and dwelling-house applications. Compared with a static small market, that pipeline could increase housing choice, but approvals do not guarantee completed homes. Check servicing, construction timing and whether each dwelling is intended for permanent or short-stay use.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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