Frederickton
An older, car-oriented settlement, Frederickton has 1,452 residents across 12.26 square kilometres. Its median age is 49, 9 years above the national comparison, while 94.9% of homes are separate houses and 86.0% of workers drive. That combination supports households seeking space and private transport, because public transit accounts for only 0.7%. Household income sits at the 18.1st percentile, below the national midpoint, so the market is more practical than premium. Compared with nearby Kempsey, Frederickton has a smaller residential pattern, while Kempsey remains the broader service centre. A 77.5% stayed rate also points to established local ties rather than rapid turnover.
Local council: Kempsey
Population
1,452
Median Age
49.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,114/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
12
Frederickton is mainly a detached-house market, with 94.9% of dwellings separate houses compared with 2.5% apartments. Three-bedroom homes account for 48.1% of stock and 4 or more bedrooms for 28.8%, giving family buyers more choice than people seeking compact units. The typical mortgage repayment is $1,339 per month, equal to 27.8% of household income and below the 29.6% rent-to-income ratio. With 40.4% owning outright and 30.7% holding a mortgage, the suburb has a substantial established-owner base. Compared with compact markets around larger centres, buyers should focus on land size, flood exposure, renovation costs and recent settled sales because property differences can be significant.
For Buyers
Frederickton is mainly a detached-house market, with 94.9% of dwellings separate houses compared with 2.5% apartments. Three-bedroom homes account for 48.1% of stock and 4 or more bedrooms for 28.8%, giving family buyers more choice than people seeking compact units. The typical mortgage repayment is $1,339 per month, equal to 27.8% of household income and below the 29.6% rent-to-income ratio. With 40.4% owning outright and 30.7% holding a mortgage, the suburb has a substantial established-owner base. Compared with compact markets around larger centres, buyers should focus on land size, flood exposure, renovation costs and recent settled sales because property differences can be significant.
For Investors
Frederickton offers a small, owner-occupier-oriented rental market rather than a high-density investment setting. Renting accounts for 22.7% of households, below the 40.4% outright ownership share, while advertised weekly rent is $330 and vacancy is 5.6%. That higher owner-occupier share can support neighbourhood stability, but it may also mean a narrower tenant pool than in strongly rental-oriented suburbs. Eleven development matters were recorded over 12 months, including subdivision activity and a 1-dwelling application, suggesting incremental additions rather than a large construction pipeline. For a suburb of 1,452 residents, investors should compare achievable rent with insurance, maintenance and vacancy risk before relying on gross yield alone.
Development Activity
Total DAs
64
Last 12 Months
12
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+20.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Frederickton
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Frederickton has an older resident profile, with a median age of 49, which is 9 years above the national comparison. University attainment is 11.5%, or 18.6 percentage points below the national figure, while the overseas-born share is 7.6%, 14 percentage points below the national comparison. Average household size is 2.4 people, slightly below the national figure by 0.1. English ancestry is most common at 678 people, followed by Irish at 163 and Scottish at 150. Christianity is recorded for 872 residents and no religion for 485. Compared with more migrant-diverse regional centres, the profile is more Anglo-leaning and settled, while 45.6% of families are couples without children and 22.9% are one-parent families.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.9%
Houses
2.5%
Townhouse
2.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Frederickton's housing stock is strongly detached, with 94.9% separate houses compared with 2.5% apartments, which explains the suburb's low-density feel and car dependence. Tenure is weighted toward ownership: 40.4% own outright, 30.7% have a mortgage and 22.7% rent. The largest bedroom group is 3 bedrooms at 48.1%, followed by 4 or more bedrooms at 28.8%, so the stock is more family-house oriented than unit oriented. Mortgage costs equal 27.8% of household income, below the 29.6% rent-to-income share, and neither measure is flagged as stressed. Compared with apartment-heavy markets, Frederickton gives buyers more land and storage but fewer low-maintenance options.
Mortgage / mo
$1,339
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $330.
$490
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $505 · units $383
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$565
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.6%
Unoccupied
31
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.8%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
28.6%
Couples with children
45.6%
Couples, no children
22.9%
Single parent
384
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Frederickton's dominant employment industry at 28.3%, representing 90 workers, well above Education at 11.6% and Construction at 10.4%. Public Administration accounts for 9.1% and Manufacturing 7.5%, creating a broader base than a single-industry rural economy. The main occupation groups are Community and Personal at 97 people, Trades at 88, Professionals at 75, Labourers at 67 and Clerical and Administration at 58. Among 557 people in the labour force, 296 work full time and 193 part time, while unemployment is 6.1% and participation is 45.8%. Healthcare's share is higher than every other listed industry, which supports local service demand but also makes the economy sensitive to changes in care and public-sector employment.
Unemployment
6.1%
Labour Force
557
Unemployed
34
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.6%
Part-time
36.9%
Participation
45.8%
Employed
523
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
11.5%
Postgraduate
3.0%
Born Overseas
7.6%
Dwellings
511
Transport to Work
Daily life is strongly car dependent: 86.0% of residents drive to work, a much higher share than the 0.7% using public transport or the 0.9% walking or cycling. Work from home accounts for 6.9%, so most households still need reliable road access for jobs, shopping and services. Frederickton has 1 local government primary school, providing a basic nearby option for younger children; families should check enrolment zones and secondary-school transport against the exact address. Volunteering reaches 14.2%, while 18.3% of residents need assistance, pointing to both community participation and meaningful support needs. Compared with denser urban areas, the 118.4 people per square kilometre setting provides more space but fewer walkable daily services, making vehicle access important.
Drive
86.0%
Public Transport
0.7%
Walk / Cycle
0.9%
Work from Home
6.9%
Growth Outlook
Frederickton's growth profile is incremental rather than large-scale. The area has 11 development matters across 12.26 square kilometres and 1,452 residents, including subdivision activity and a 1-dwelling application. That pipeline is small compared with the existing settlement, so near-term change is more likely to come through infill, lot changes and gradual replacement of older homes than a rapid estate build-out. A 77.5% stayed rate versus 22.5% turnover also points to resident continuity, while the 5.6% vacancy rate leaves some capacity for households moving in. Compared with high-volume expansion corridors, this is a steadier, lower-intensity pattern, so development potential should be assessed alongside flood, access and servicing constraints.
Population trend: Kempsey council area
Frederickton sits in the Kempsey council area. These are the council area's residents, not Frederickton'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 Frederickton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Frederickton a good suburb to live in?
Frederickton suits households seeking detached homes, space and a quieter setting. It has 1,452 residents, a median age of 49 and 94.9% separate houses. Compared with denser centres, daily life is more car dependent because 86.0% drive to work.
What is the median house price in Frederickton?
For a current median, compare recent settled sales for the specific street and property type. Frederickton has 94.9% separate houses, with 48.1% having 3 bedrooms and 28.8% having 4 or more. Mortgage repayments average $1,339 monthly, but land size and condition can shift sale prices.
What schools are in Frederickton?
Frederickton Public School is the local government primary option, with 1 named school in the suburb. Families should check the enrolment zone for the exact address and confirm secondary-school arrangements, including transport times, before committing to a property.
Is Frederickton safe?
Safety should be assessed at street level rather than inferred from suburb size alone. Frederickton has 1,452 residents and a density of 118.4 people per square kilometre. Inspect lighting, traffic conditions and nearby activity at different times, and review current local incident information.
Is Frederickton good for property investment?
Frederickton may suit investors seeking detached housing and steady local demand. Weekly rent is $330, vacancy is 5.6% and 22.7% of households rent, while 40.4% own outright. Eleven development matters in 12 months indicate some activity, but the market is smaller than major regional centres.
How is Frederickton's population changing?
Frederickton has 1,452 residents today, with 77.5% staying at the same address and 22.5% turning over. That points to established communities and gradual change rather than rapid churn. Eleven development matters may add incremental housing, while the median age of 49 suggests an ageing resident base.
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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