West Kempsey NSW Property Investment
Port Macquarie-Hastings · 2440 · Score: 45/100 · Caution
West Kempsey Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Market
West Kempsey NSW Investment Brief
HOLD — $454,806 median with 9.4%/yr growth over 5 years.
THE MARKET
West Kempsey has compounded at 9.4%/yr over 5 years — a house that cost $290,228 in 2021 is worth $454,806 today. Properties are sitting on market for 32 days (roughly balanced conditions). At the same growth rate, today's median reaches $712,710 by 2031.
- Median house: $454,806 | Units: $372,471
- Gross yield: 5.6% | Net yield: 4.1%
- 5yr price CAGR: 9.4%/yr | 3yr forecast: 13.5%/yr
- Population: 5,073 | Owner-occupier rate: 71% | Affluence: Low
- Supply pipeline: Low — Price growth outpacing new supply, limited development pipeline
RENTAL SNAPSHOT
- Vacancy: 3.0% (stable) | Rental demand: Moderate
- Median weekly rent: $490/wk | Days on market: 32 (stable)
- Tenant market — vacancy elevated, negotiate hard on rent.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL
- Median nightly rate: $456/night | Occupancy: 40%
- Estimated annual STR gross: ~$66,548/yr
- vs long-term rent: $25,480/yr (+161% STR premium — factor in higher management costs)
INFRASTRUCTURE & CATALYSTS
- No major confirmed infrastructure projects on record.
- Transport: Standard suburban transport access
BULL CASE
If West Kempsey maintains 3%+ annual growth and vacancy stays below 2.1%, median prices could reach $523,027 within 3 years with yields compressing slightly as capital values rise.
BEAR CASE
A market correction or interest rate shock could see prices in West Kempsey pull back 10-15% from $454,806, with vacancy rising to 5.0% and rental yields softening as tenants gain leverage.
KEY RISKS
- Distance from CBD may limit long-term capital growth potential
COMPARABLE MARKETS
- Werris Creek (NSW): $342,492 median, 5.8% yield, 4.7% 1yr growth
- Gladstone (NSW): $555,200 median, 4.5% yield, -18.7% 1yr growth
- Willawarrin (NSW): $580,000 median, 4.3% yield, -13.7% 1yr growth
THE PLAY
West Kempsey offers balanced fundamentals but does not present an urgent buying signal. The market is in a boom phase with moderate vacancy risk. Monitor vacancy trends and price movements over the next 6-12 months. Only enter if a property can be acquired at or below median pricing with yields exceeding 6.1%.
- Entry range: $409,325 – $500,287
- Minimum gross yield to target: 5.9%
- Watch signal: vacancy dropping below 2% and days on market holding under 35
This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Seek professional advice before making investment decisions.
Gentrification Index
Growth Forecast
medium confidenceBasis: 5yr CAGR 1.1%
- −High supply pipeline (3462 new approvals) — may cap price growth
Suburb Metric Thresholds
Macro Environment
Macro Indicators
Cash Rate
4.35%
▲ 0.25%Cash rate as at 2026-05-06 · Credit data 2026-04
Suburb Supply & Demand
Suburb Supply Pipeline — New Dwelling Approvals
509
2020
675
2021
683
2022
996
2023
599
2025
New dwelling approvals — higher numbers mean more future supply
Socio-Economic Profile
Source: ABS Census 2021SEIFA Index · Postcode 2440
Decile 1 of 10 — High disadvantage
Population
23,166
Education (IEO)
1/10
Econ. Resources (IER)
2/10
10-Year Investment Projection
Modelled on West Kempsey NSW data — rent, capital growth, tax, and depreciation over 10 years.
Pre-filled: $490/wk median rent for West Kempsey. Capital growth and rent increase are editable assumptions.
Schools
In your catchment
These are the government-school zones containing this suburb centroid. Specific addresses within the suburb may fall in different catchments — confirm with the school directly.
Nearby Suburbs
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Analyse a Property →Data sourced from ABS, state government property sales, and Airbnb market analytics. For informational purposes only — not financial advice.