East Kempsey
Household income in the 18th percentile nationally and a SEIFA disadvantage score in decile 1 on three of four indexes tell the core story of East Kempsey: this is one of NSW's most economically disadvantaged suburbs, yet median house prices reached $525,000 in 2025 and rose 10.7% year on year. The population of 1,336 lives predominantly in separate houses (84.7%) across a compact 3.75 km2 footprint. The workforce is concentrated in community and healthcare roles, and 29.2% of employed residents work in healthcare, a share well above the state average. The suburb's aging trajectory, combined with active gentrification signals and net positive migration, sets it apart from nearby regional centres.
Population
1,336
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,116/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
8
Median House
$525K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price of $525,000 in 2025 rose from $492,500 in 2024, a 10.7% gain in one year that is well above the national average rate. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,252, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.9%, below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses dominate at 84.7% of dwellings, with three-bedroom homes the most common at 49.6% of stock, followed by four-plus bedroom homes at 23.7%. The outright ownership rate of 35.2% matches the renter share exactly, suggesting a split market between long-held family homes and investment properties. For buyers seeking detached housing at lower price points than the NSW state median, East Kempsey offers a genuine alternative, though the decile 1 IRSAD score signals limited local income support for price growth.
For Buyers
The median house price of $525,000 in 2025 rose from $492,500 in 2024, a 10.7% gain in one year that is well above the national average rate. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,252, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.9%, below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses dominate at 84.7% of dwellings, with three-bedroom homes the most common at 49.6% of stock, followed by four-plus bedroom homes at 23.7%. The outright ownership rate of 35.2% matches the renter share exactly, suggesting a split market between long-held family homes and investment properties. For buyers seeking detached housing at lower price points than the NSW state median, East Kempsey offers a genuine alternative, though the decile 1 IRSAD score signals limited local income support for price growth.
For Investors
East Kempsey's 35.2% renter share and weekly rent of $300 give landlords a broad tenant pool, though the vacancy rate of 8.2% is high compared to the national norm of around 2-3% and warrants scrutiny before committing capital. Against the $525,000 median, weekly rent of $300 implies a gross yield around 2.97%, which is below the regional average for coastal NSW but reflects the town's low-income base. Net internal migration averages 91 residents a year and overseas migration adds 53, giving a balanced growth driver that supports steady rather than speculative demand. Development activity sits at 7 applications in the past 12 months, a low pipeline that limits new supply competition. Rent grew 58.3% over the decade, faster than most NSW regional centres, which reflects genuine affordability pressure rather than speculative uplift.
Development Activity
Total DAs
34
Last 12 Months
8
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+60.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 41 is essentially equal to the national figure, one year above it, but the trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 4.3 points while the young share fell 3.5 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents account for just 6.6%, which is 15.0 points below the national average, reflecting the predominant Anglo-Celtic heritage: English (585), Irish (175), and Scottish (128) are the top three ancestry groups. University qualifications reach only 16.9% of residents, which is 13.2 points below the national figure, consistent with the decile 1 IEO score for education and occupation. Average household size is 2.2, slightly below the national average. The volunteer rate of 14.6% is moderate, and 8.0% of residents need daily assistance, a figure elevated by the aging profile.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
84.7%
Houses
5.9%
Townhouse
9.4%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure in East Kempsey divides almost equally between outright owners (35.2%), renters (35.2%), and mortgage holders (29.7%). Outright owners matching the renter share reflects a suburb where long-term residents hold paid-off homes alongside a significant rental segment catering to lower-income households. The stock is overwhelmingly separate houses at 84.7%, apartments represent just 9.4%, and semi-detached dwellings 5.9%. Three-bedroom homes lead at 49.6%, with four-plus at 23.7% and two-bedroom at 24.6%. Prices moved from $492,500 in 2024 to $545,000 at the 2025 peak, representing 10.7% growth. The rent-to-income ratio of 26.9% sits below the 30% stress threshold, which means that despite low incomes, housing costs remain technically affordable relative to earnings.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,252
Rent / wk
$300
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$635
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.2%
Unoccupied
49
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.9%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
29.8%
Couples, no children
969
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates the local economy at 29.2% of workers (100 people), a share markedly above the national average that reflects the suburb's proximity to Kempsey District Hospital and an aging population base. Retail follows at 13.7%, Education at 12.3%, and Public Administration at 9.1%. By occupation, Community and Personal Service workers lead at 116 jobs, followed by Professionals at 73. Full-time employment accounts for 55.8% of workers, and the unemployment rate is 4.8%, above state levels. The labour force participation rate of 49.8% is low, partly because 439 residents are not in the labour force, consistent with an aging and socioeconomically constrained population. Household income at the 18th percentile nationally explains the decile 1 IRSD score and points to a workforce dependent on public-sector and care economy employment rather than private enterprise.
Unemployment
7.6%
Labour Force
6,487
Unemployed
496
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
55.8%
Part-time
39.4%
Participation
49.8%
Employed
511
Occupations
Top Industries
University
16.9%
Postgraduate
1.1%
Born Overseas
6.6%
Dwellings
544
Transport to Work
Car dependency is pronounced, with 86.1% of residents commuting by private vehicle and only 0.7% using public transport, reflecting the limited regional transit options in the Macleay Valley. Walking and cycling account for 3.5% of trips. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families rely on institutions in central Kempsey, which is adjacent. The IRSAD decile of 1 places East Kempsey among the most disadvantaged suburbs nationally, a fact that shapes access to services, educational attainment at 16.9% university qualified, and health outcomes. Crime statistics are not available for this suburb. The 8.0% need-for-assistance rate, above the national average, and the community-heavy workforce suggest that support services are a significant local institution, with healthcare employing nearly 30% of the local workforce.
Drive
86.1%
Public Transport
0.7%
Walk / Cycle
3.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.69%/yr
(+113 people/yr)
EstablishedEast Kempsey's broader Kempsey LGA population reached 16,272 in 2025, up 9.6% over 10 years, and the medium forecast projects growth to 16,990 by 2031. Annual growth runs at 0.69%, adding roughly 113 people a year to the area. Net internal migration averages 91 residents a year and overseas migration contributes 53, classifying the driver as balanced rather than relying on a single source. The gentrification score of 57 at suburb level is classified as Active, supported by signals including net internal migration inflows, while the LGA-level gentrification reads not gentrifying at score 11. Affordability worsened from 46.6% in 2011 to 52.6% in 2021, meaning a larger share of income is absorbed by housing costs. Real income growth of 14.2% over the decade has not kept pace with the 58.3% rent increase, which is the core tension for lower-income households.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+53
Net Internal / yr
+91
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal migration +91/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How East Kempsey compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Kempsey a good suburb to live in?
East Kempsey offers affordable housing, with a $525,000 median and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.9%, below the stress threshold. However, the suburb scores decile 1 on three of four SEIFA indexes and household income sits at the 18th percentile nationally, reflecting significant economic disadvantage. It suits buyers prioritising affordability over amenity.
What is the median house price in East Kempsey?
The median house price is $525,000 as of 2025, up 10.7% from $492,500 in 2024. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,252. Weekly rent is $300, implying a gross yield around 2.97% against the median price.
What schools are in East Kempsey?
No schools are recorded inside the East Kempsey suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in adjacent central Kempsey. University qualifications reach only 16.9% of residents, which is 13.2 points below the national figure, reflecting broader educational access constraints in the region.
Is East Kempsey safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for East Kempsey in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 1 on the IRSAD index, the lowest advantage tier nationally, which is associated with higher rates of socioeconomic stress. The healthcare workforce at 29.2% of employed residents suggests strong community support services are present.
Is East Kempsey good for property investment?
The 35.2% renter share and 58.3% rent growth over the decade support the investment case, but the 8.2% vacancy rate is high compared to the national norm and signals oversupply risk. Gross yield is around 2.97% based on $300 weekly rent against the $525,000 median. Annual population growth of 0.69% provides modest but steady demand.
How is East Kempsey's population changing?
The broader Kempsey area grew 9.6% over 10 years, reaching 16,272 in 2025. Medium forecasts project 16,990 by 2031, adding roughly 113 people a year at 0.69% annual growth. Net internal migration averages 91 per year and overseas migration adds 53, giving balanced growth drivers. The suburb's profile is aging, with the senior share up 4.3 points over the decade.
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 Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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