Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
West Kempsey suburb profile
West Kempsey, NSW · Postcode 2440
This West Kempsey suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for West 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 West Kempsey with nearby suburbs.
West Kempsey at a glance
Population
5,073
Median rent
$290/wk
Household income
$925/wk
Median age
40
West 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
+6.3% over 10 years
Population
5,073
was 4,919 in 2016
+154 · +3.1%
Median rent
$290/wk
was $230/wk in 2016
+$60 · +26.1%
Household income
$925/wk
was $761/wk in 2016
+$164 · +21.6%
Median age
40
was 41 in 2016
-1 · -2.4%
Dig deeper: West Kempsey population growth · West Kempsey then and now
West Kempsey vs nearby & NSW
Median Census 2021 figures for West Kempsey, nearby suburbs (8), and the NSW state median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-31% vs area
- West Kempsey$290/wk
- Nearby$325/wk
- NSW$420/wk
Household income
-49.8% vs area
- West Kempsey$925/wk
- Nearby$1,193/wk
- NSW$1,843/wk
Median age
0% vs area
- West Kempsey40
- Nearby44.5
- NSW40
Personal income
-39% vs area
- West Kempsey$493/wk
- Nearby$585/wk
- NSW$808/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in NSW.
Socio-economic profile
How West Kempsey compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
West Kempsey ranks among Australia's most disadvantaged suburbs. It shows limited economic resources and lower education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 1787.3
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 1793.6
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 1846.8
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 1816.1
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
West Kempsey on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for West Kempsey, NSW.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
West Kempsey people
- Population
- 5,073
- Median age
- 40
- Born overseas
- 5.7%
- Average household size
- 2.3
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
West Kempsey income
- Median household income
- $925/wk
- Median personal income
- $493/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
West Kempsey housing
- Median rent
- $290/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,170/mo
- Separate houses
- 81.3%
- Flats & apartments
- 8.3%
- Owned outright
- 30.4%
- Mortgaged
- 22.6%
- Rented
- 36.4%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 8.2%
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
West Kempsey work
- Employment to population
- 35.7%
- Unemployment rate
- 11.2%
- Year 12 or above
- 28.3%
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 West Kempsey with nearby suburbs
West Kempsey in numbers
West Kempsey had 5,073 residents at the 2021 Census. The median age is 40, close to the typical NSW suburb. The average household has 2.3 people. 5.7% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 30.4% own their home outright, 22.6% are paying a mortgage, 36.4% rent. Separate houses make up 81.3% of dwellings, with 8.3% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $290/wk, 28% below the typical NSW suburb.
Median household income was $925/wk, 49% below the typical NSW suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 11.2%. 28.3% 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 3.1% (from 4,919 to 5,073). Median rent moved from $230/wk to $290/wk (+26.1%).
West Kempsey suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in West Kempsey, NSW?
- The median weekly rent in West Kempsey was $290/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in West Kempsey, NSW?
- West Kempsey had 5,073 residents at the 2021 Census, up 3.1% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in West Kempsey?
- Median household income in West Kempsey was $925/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in West Kempsey?
- 36.4% of occupied homes in West Kempsey were rented, 30.4% were owned outright and 22.6% were owned with a mortgage.
About this West Kempsey suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching West 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