Clarence Valley vs Kempsey

Clarence Valley and Kempsey are two regional New South Wales areas with distinct patterns of accessibility. Kempsey has far more street intersections per square kilometre and a higher share of homes within a 15-minute walk of groceries (48.8% compared to 40.1% in Clarence Valley). In Kempsey, First Nations unemployment is well higher at 18.7%, which is well above the national figure, while in Clarence Valley it is 14.0%.

Both areas are mostly car-dependent, with identical walkability scores of 3.7 and nearly the same share of homes within a 15-minute walk of a school. These similarities persist in the First Nations community, where the typical age is 25 in both places. The gap in First Nations year 12 completion has remained small, with Clarence Valley slightly higher at 26.9% compared to 24.6% in Kempsey.