West Kempsey crime rate and Crime Score · New South Wales
NSW Police (figures published by BOCSAR) recorded 1,896 offences in West Kempsey in 2025-26, including 257 violent offences and 114 break-ins. That is about 37,374 per 100,000 of its 5,073 residents (2021 Census). The rates and Crime Score below are for the whole Kempsey council area.
West Kempsey is a suburb in the Kempsey council area of New South Wales (about 31,950 residents in the council). The council has a Crime Score 76 out of 100 (high), 38th of 362 councils nationally.
The score blends national percentile ranks for each published offence category with fixed severity weights; here it is driven most by assault (81st percentile), break-ins (87th percentile), sexual offences (78th percentile). Five years earlier the same basis gave 81.
In 2025-26: violent 2,407 per 100,000 (+13% vs five years earlier); property 6,119 per 100,000 (-6% vs five years earlier); break-ins 933 per 100,000 (-30% vs five years earlier); theft 2,319 per 100,000 (+2% vs five years earlier). For violent crime that is 15th of 129 New South Wales councils with data, highest first.
Unemployment in the Kempsey council area is 7.2% (New South Wales 4.9%), Census, 10 August 2021. Social housing makes up 3.7% of occupied homes (186 public and 236 community-housing dwellings at the 2021 Census; New South Wales 4.2%). An estimated 188 people were homeless on Census night 2021, 60.2 per 10,000 residents (New South Wales 43.4), apportioned from ABS Statistical Area Level 2 counts. 8.6% of residents were born overseas (New South Wales 31%), most often in England, New Zealand, Philippines. Modelled estimates for 2026-27, not measurements: unemployment about 7.1% (confidence 79 of 100); social housing about 3.4% of homes; about 59.2 homeless people per 10,000 residents; about 8.7% born overseas. Confidence falls with distance from the last published figure, and the map's Estimates toggle shows every year back to 1994-95.
New South Wales publishes suburb-level counts: 1,896 offences were recorded in West Kempsey in 2025-26. The rates and Crime Score above are for the whole Kempsey council area.
| Offences | Per 100,000 | Count | 5-yr change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent | 2,407 | 769 | +13% |
| Property | 6,119 | 1,955 | -6% |
| Break-ins | 933 | 298 | -30% |
| Theft | 2,319 | 741 | +2% |
Of 250 regional NSW suburbs and towns with at least 2,000 residents, West Kempsey has the 8th highest recorded crime rate: about 30,800 offences a year per 100,000 residents (2023-24 to 2025-26 average), against a median of 7,320. Regional New South Wales rankings.
Kempsey council area: full statistics · Interactive map of every council.
Questions
Is West Kempsey safe?
West Kempsey recorded about 30,800 offences a year per 100,000 residents over 2023-24 to 2025-26, 4.2 times the median of 7,320 for regional NSW suburbs and towns: the 8th highest rate of 250. In 2025-26 police recorded 257 violent offences (5,070 per 100,000 residents) and 114 break-ins there. These are offences recorded by police per resident: they describe the area as a whole, not the risk on any particular street, and places with a busy centre record more because offences are counted where they happen.
What is the crime rate in West Kempsey?
In 2025-26 police recorded 1,896 offences in West Kempsey, about 37,400 per 100,000 of its 5,073 residents (2021 Census), including 257 violent offences and 114 break-ins.
Nearby suburbs
Aldavilla · Austral Eden · Bellimbopinni · Belmore River · Burnt Bridge · Collombatti · Corangula · Deep Creek · Dondingalong · East Kempsey · Euroka · Frederickton · Gladstone · Greenhill · Hampden Hall · Kempsey · Kundabung · Mooneba · Old Station · Pola Creek · Seven Oaks · Sherwood · Skillion Flat · Smithtown · South Kempsey · Summer Island · Turners Flat · Verges Creek · Yarravel · Yessabah
australiancrimerate.com.au/suburb/nsw/west-kempsey/ · Australian Crime Map