Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
South Kempsey suburb profile
South Kempsey, NSW · Postcode 2440
This South Kempsey suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for South Kempsey, NSW (postcode 2440). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare South Kempsey with nearby suburbs.
South Kempsey at a glance
Population
2,604
Median rent
$270/wk
Household income
$1,074/wk
Median age
42
South Kempsey trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+7.8% over 10 years
Population
2,604
was 2,302 in 2016
+302 · +13.1%
Median rent
$270/wk
was $220/wk in 2016
+$50 · +22.7%
Household income
$1,074/wk
was $889/wk in 2016
+$185 · +20.8%
Median age
42
was 40 in 2016
+2 · +5%
Dig deeper: South Kempsey population growth · South Kempsey then and now
South Kempsey vs nearby & NSW
Median Census 2021 figures for South Kempsey, nearby suburbs (8), and the NSW state median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-35.7% vs area
- South Kempsey$270/wk
- Nearby$325/wk
- NSW$420/wk
Household income
-41.7% vs area
- South Kempsey$1,074/wk
- Nearby$1,193/wk
- NSW$1,843/wk
Median age
+5% vs area
- South Kempsey42
- Nearby44.5
- NSW40
Personal income
-34.8% vs area
- South Kempsey$527/wk
- Nearby$585/wk
- NSW$808/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in NSW.
Socio-economic profile
How South Kempsey compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
South Kempsey ranks among Australia's most disadvantaged suburbs. It shows limited economic resources and lower education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 1842.9
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 1835.7
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 1898.5
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 1850.3
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
South Kempsey on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for South Kempsey, NSW.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
South Kempsey people
- Population
- 2,604
- Median age
- 42
- Born overseas
- 5.8%
- Average household size
- 2.6
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
South Kempsey income
- Median household income
- $1,074/wk
- Median personal income
- $527/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
South Kempsey housing
- Median rent
- $270/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,300/mo
- Separate houses
- 83.2%
- Flats & apartments
- 3.7%
- Owned outright
- 31%
- Mortgaged
- 25.4%
- Rented
- 29.8%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 8%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
South Kempsey work
- Employment to population
- 40.5%
- Unemployment rate
- 10.6%
- Year 12 or above
- 27.7%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 2440)
Compare South Kempsey with nearby suburbs
South Kempsey in numbers
South Kempsey had 2,604 residents at the 2021 Census. The median age is 42, close to the typical NSW suburb. The average household has 2.6 people. 5.8% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 31% own their home outright, 25.4% are paying a mortgage, 29.8% rent. Separate houses make up 83.2% of dwellings, with 3.7% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $270/wk, 32% below the typical NSW suburb.
Median household income was $1,074/wk, 40% below the typical NSW suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 10.6%. 27.7% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 1 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 13.1% (from 2,302 to 2,604). Median rent moved from $220/wk to $270/wk (+22.7%).
South Kempsey suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in South Kempsey, NSW?
- The median weekly rent in South Kempsey was $270/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in South Kempsey, NSW?
- South Kempsey had 2,604 residents at the 2021 Census, up 13.1% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in South Kempsey?
- Median household income in South Kempsey was $1,074/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in South Kempsey?
- 29.8% of occupied homes in South Kempsey were rented, 31% were owned outright and 25.4% were owned with a mortgage.
About this South Kempsey suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching South Kempsey. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology