South Kempsey
South Kempsey's most telling number is its SEIFA decile 1 rating across three of four indexes, placing it in the bottom 10% of Australian suburbs by advantage. The suburb sits at the 16.4th income percentile nationally, with a household income of $1,074 per week, well below the national average. Yet the housing market tells a different story: a $399,500 median house price with a 5.8% rise from 2024 to 2025, and 91.4% of dwellings are separate houses, the detached-dominant profile that draws buyers priced out of coastal centres. These two facts together define South Kempsey: affordable entry into freestanding housing on a 66.27 km2 footprint, against the backdrop of structural disadvantage in income and education.
Population
2,604
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,074/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
37
Median House
$400K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The $399,500 median house price is significantly below the NSW state median, making South Kempsey one of the more accessible entry points for detached housing in the Mid North Coast region. Prices rose from $385,000 in 2024 to $407,500 in 2025, a 5.8% gain in one year. The stock is overwhelmingly separate houses at 91.4%, with apartments at just 4.1%, so buyers get genuine land ownership rather than strata. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 50.7% and four-plus at 26.7%, suiting families. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.0%, below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners at 36.0% and mortgage holders at 29.5% together make up a majority, suggesting stable long-term ownership patterns rather than high turnover.
For Buyers
The $399,500 median house price is significantly below the NSW state median, making South Kempsey one of the more accessible entry points for detached housing in the Mid North Coast region. Prices rose from $385,000 in 2024 to $407,500 in 2025, a 5.8% gain in one year. The stock is overwhelmingly separate houses at 91.4%, with apartments at just 4.1%, so buyers get genuine land ownership rather than strata. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 50.7% and four-plus at 26.7%, suiting families. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.0%, below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners at 36.0% and mortgage holders at 29.5% together make up a majority, suggesting stable long-term ownership patterns rather than high turnover.
For Investors
A 34.5% renter share gives landlords a solid tenant base, and weekly rent of $270 against a $399,500 median implies a gross yield around 3.5%, higher than most metropolitan markets. The vacancy rate of 8.0% is elevated and warrants caution, suggesting some softness in rental demand. Development activity is active at 35 applications in the past 12 months, predominantly new dwelling construction, indicating continued housing supply coming to market. Net internal migration averages 91 persons per year and overseas migration adds 53 more annually, both supporting demand. Rent grew 58.3% over the decade, well above income growth of 14.2%, which has pushed the affordability index from 46.6% in 2011 to 52.6% in 2021. Gentrification is classified as not gentrifying, so capital growth relies on regional demand rather than demographic shift.
Development Activity
Total DAs
189
Last 12 Months
37
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+8.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 42 is 2.0 years above the national figure, and the population is on an aging trajectory with the senior share rising 4.3 points over the decade. University qualifications reach just 14.7% of residents, which is 15.4 percentage points below the national rate, reflecting the area's blue-collar and service economy rather than knowledge-sector employment. Overseas-born residents account for just 6.6% of the population, 15.0 points below the national average, indicating a locally rooted, Anglo-leaning community. English (952), Irish (207) and Scottish (181) are the dominant ancestries. Average household size of 2.6 is marginally above the national figure. Christianity is the primary religion at 1,163 residents, with only 21 residents identifying other faiths.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
91.4%
Houses
0.7%
Townhouse
4.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits into three roughly similar bands: 36.0% own outright, 29.5% carry a mortgage and 34.5% rent. The dominant dwelling type is the separate house at 91.4%, with apartments at 4.1% and semi-detached at 0.7%, a profile that reflects the suburb's rural-fringe character over 66.27 km2. Three-bedroom homes make up 50.7% and four-plus bedroom 26.7% of stock, pointing to family-sized dwellings. The median price rose from $385,000 in 2024 to $407,500 in 2025, a 5.8% gain. Monthly repayments of $1,300 represent 28.0% of household income, below the stress threshold, while rent-to-income of 25.1% is also manageable. These ratios are notably lower than state averages, reflecting the suburb's affordability relative to NSW broadly.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wk
$270
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$527
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.0%
Unoccupied
77
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.0%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.4%
Couples, no children
1,842
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates local employment at 27.7% of workers (137 people), nearly double the next sector, Education at 13.5% (67 workers). Public Administration (9.3%), Construction (8.3%) and Retail (7.1%) round out the top five, a pattern typical of regional service centres rather than growth economies. By occupation, Community and Personal Service workers lead at 157, followed by Professionals and Labourers both at 134. The unemployment rate of 11.6% is elevated compared to national averages, and the participation rate of just 41.1% means 896 residents are not in the labour force, a significant share at a suburb of 2,604 people. SEIFA scores place South Kempsey at decile 1 on IRSAD, IEO and IRSD, the lowest advantage tier nationally, driven by low incomes, low educational attainment and high service dependency.
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
52.9%
Part-time
35.5%
Participation
41.1%
Employed
749
Occupations
Top Industries
University
14.7%
Postgraduate
2.8%
Born Overseas
6.6%
Dwellings
881
Transport to Work
Transport in South Kempsey is car-dependent: 88.6% of residents drive to work, public transport use is just 0.6% and walking or cycling accounts for 3.8%. This is consistent with a low-density, rural-fringe suburb spread across 66.27 km2 at 39.3 persons per km2. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset. Volunteering runs at 13.6% of residents. The need-assistance rate of 9.6% (220 people) is high relative to national norms, consistent with the suburb's decile 1 IRSD disadvantage score and aging population with a median age of 42. Rent-to-income at 25.1% keeps rental costs manageable. Density of 39.3 persons per km2 is far below the national average, giving residents space but limiting walkability and service access.
Drive
88.6%
Public Transport
0.6%
Walk / Cycle
3.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.69%/yr
(+113 people/yr)
EstablishedSouth Kempsey grew 9.6% over the decade and is adding approximately 113 persons per year at a 0.69% annual rate, classified as an established suburb on a slow but consistent growth track. Medium forecasts project the broader population continuing to 16,990 by 2031. Both migration channels are positive: net internal migration averages 91 per year and overseas migration adds 53, making growth balanced rather than dependent on a single driver. The young share fell 3.5 points while the senior share rose 4.3 points, confirming an aging trajectory. Affordability has worsened, moving from 46.6% in 2011 to 52.6% in 2021, putting more income toward housing costs even as incomes grew 14.2% in real terms over the decade.
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 South Kempsey compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Kempsey a good suburb to live in?
South Kempsey offers affordable detached housing at a $399,500 median and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.0%, below the stress threshold. The trade-off is structural disadvantage: the suburb ranks in decile 1 on IRSAD and IRSD, the lowest nationally, and unemployment is 11.6%. It suits buyers seeking space and affordability over proximity to services.
What is the median house price in South Kempsey?
The median house price is $399,500, rising from $385,000 in 2024 to $407,500 in 2025, a 5.8% gain. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 28.0%. Weekly rent averages $270, giving a gross rental yield of around 3.5%.
What schools are in South Kempsey?
No schools are recorded inside the South Kempsey suburb boundary in this dataset. The suburb spans 66.27 km2 at low density, and families rely on schools in neighbouring areas of the Kempsey local government area. University qualification rates locally are 14.7%, which is 15.4 points below the national average.
Is South Kempsey safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for South Kempsey in this dataset. As structural indicators, the suburb scores decile 1 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, the lowest tier nationally, and 9.6% of residents (220 people) require daily assistance, both pointing to elevated social vulnerability compared to national norms.
Is South Kempsey good for property investment?
A 34.5% renter share and weekly rent of $270 against a $399,500 median gives a gross yield around 3.5%, above most capital city markets. However, the 8.0% vacancy rate signals soft rental demand, and gentrification is classified as not gentrifying. Rent grew 58.3% over the decade, supporting long-term income, but capital growth depends on regional demand.
How is South Kempsey's population changing?
The population has grown 9.6% over the decade and is adding about 113 persons per year at a 0.69% annual rate. Net internal migration averages 91 per year and overseas migration adds 53 more. The profile is aging, with the senior share up 4.3 points and the young share down 3.5 points over ten years.
How much development is happening in South Kempsey?
There were 35 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, with recent activity focused on new dwelling house construction. This level of activity is moderate for a suburb of 2,604 residents and is consistent with the 0.69% annual population growth rate adding roughly 113 persons per year.
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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