Kempsey vs Port Macquarie

Kempsey and Port Macquarie are two nearby New South Wales towns with very different levels of accessibility and First Nations outcomes. Kempsey is very walkable, with 88.8% of homes within a 15-minute walk of groceries, compared to 46.7% in Port Macquarie. However, a significant gap exists for First Nations people; unemployment is far higher in Kempsey at 20.8%, while in Port Macquarie it is 8.7%. This is consistent with educational outcomes, as Year 12 completion is far higher in Port Macquarie at 39.8% compared to 27.3% in Kempsey.

Both areas share a similar natural landscape, with nearly identical mean terrain slopes. While they both offer easy access to public transport, they differ in how people get around; Kempsey has a higher share of parks within walking distance, while Port Macquarie has more food and drink options nearby. Port Macquarie has a far larger First Nations population of 2,431 people, but typical household incomes for this group are well higher there than in Kempsey.