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Byron Bay vs Kempsey

Name: Byron Bay vs Kempsey — 2021 Census comparison
Creator: Australian Bureau of Statistics
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Urban Area comparison ≈ 274 km apart · Byron Bay profile · Kempsey profile

Byron Bay Kempsey

Kempsey and Byron Bay are two distinct New South Wales towns with very different social profiles. Kempsey has a far higher Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population at 18.3%, while Byron Bay is far more diverse in other ways, with 27.8% of people born overseas and 13.8% using a language other than English at home. There is also a wide gap in education and income; the typical weekly household income in Byron Bay is $1,748, which is far higher than the $1,081 seen in Kempsey. Byron Bay also has a far larger share of adults with a bachelor degree or higher (33.2% compared to 7.7% in Kempsey).

Everyday life shares some common threads, such as similar proportions of people living alone (around 29%) and a similar number of people per home. However, the gap between the two has grown since 2011, particularly regarding housing and wealth. Rents are now far higher in Byron Bay, and the difference in the share of people with a university degree has widened significantly. While both are moderately to very walkable, Byron Bay has far more homes within a 15-minute walk of health services and groceries.

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Where they differ most

Year 12: 38.1 pts higher in Byron Bay Bachelor+: 25.6 pts higher in Byron Bay Separate houses: 28.9 pts higher in Kempsey No religion: 24.1 pts higher in Byron Bay Recent arrivals: 23.4 pts higher in Byron Bay

Demographics & Identity

Population in Byron Bay in Kempsey +4,740 larger in Kempsey gap widening

10,914 10th pct 15,654 18th pct

Median age in Byron Bay in Kempsey +3 yrs older in Kempsey gap narrowing

39 yrs 43rd pct 42 yrs 57th pct

Age structure

35.1% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +12.5 pts 22.7%

25.3% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +1.0 pts 24.3%

17.2% Seniors (65+) +5.4 pts ▸ 22.6%

13.7% Children (0–14) +4.6 pts ▸ 18.3%

8.8% Youth (15–24) +3.4 pts ▸ 12.2%

Marital status

51.6% Never married ◂ +10.4 pts 41.2%

30.5% Married +5.4 pts ▸ 35.9%

11.9% Divorced ◂ +1.3 pts 10.6%

3.6% Widowed +4.0 pts ▸ 7.6%

2.4% Separated +2.2 pts ▸ 4.7%

Age & sex structure

Byron Bay Kempsey

Bars show the share of each area's own population, so differently sized areas stay comparable.

Ancestry & Birthplace

Country of birth

63.6% Australia +20.8 pts ▸ 84.4%

5.6% England ◂ +4.0 pts 1.6%

2.6% New Zealand ◂ +1.8 pts 0.7%

1.3% Italy ◂ +1.2 pts 0.1%

0.3% Philippines +0.3 pts ▸ 0.7%

0.6% South Africa ◂ +0.6 pts 0.1%

0.3% India +0.1 pts ▸ 0.4%

0.2% China +0.1 pts ▸ 0.3%

0.1% Vietnam even 0.1%

0.1% Nepal even 0.1%

Ancestry

27.3% Australian +12.3 pts ▸ 39.6%

39.2% English ◂ +1.1 pts 38.1%

14.7% Irish ◂ +5.0 pts 9.7%

11.3% Scottish ◂ +3.8 pts 7.6%

6.0% German ◂ +3.0 pts 2.9%

5.5% Italian ◂ +4.5 pts 1.0%

2.0% Dutch ◂ +1.3 pts 0.6%

0.5% Filipino +0.4 pts ▸ 0.9%

0.9% Greek ◂ +0.6 pts 0.3%

0.8% Chinese ◂ +0.2 pts 0.6%

0.6% Indian ◂ +0.2 pts 0.4%

0.2% Vietnamese ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

Language

Language used at home

77.6% English only +6.8 pts ▸ 84.4%

1.4% Italian ◂ +1.4 pts 0.0%

0.2% Greek ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

0.1% Tagalog +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%

0.2% Mandarin even 0.2%

0.1% Arabic ◂ +0.1 pts 0.1%

0.1% Vietnamese ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

0.0% Cantonese +0.1 pts ▸ 0.1%

0.1% Punjabi even 0.1%

0.1% Hindi ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Religion

Religious affiliation

59.7% No religion ◂ +24.1 pts 35.5%

24.9% Christianity +23.6 pts ▸ 48.5%

11.3% Not stated +3.3 pts ▸ 14.6%

2.2% Buddhism ◂ +1.8 pts 0.4%

1.0% Judaism ◂ +1.0 pts 0.0%

0.5% Other religions +0.1 pts ▸ 0.6%

0.5% Hinduism ◂ +0.2 pts 0.2%

0.2% Islam even 0.1%

Education & Qualifications

Highest year of school

66.8% Year 12 ◂ +38.1 pts 28.7%

14.3% Year 10 +16.5 pts ▸ 30.8%

3.7% Year 9 or below +14.4 pts ▸ 18.0%

5.3% Year 11 +1.1 pts ▸ 6.4%

Highest qualification level

18.2% Certificate III / IV +19.0 pts ▸ 37.2%

33.5% Bachelor degree ◂ +23.1 pts 10.4%

15.2% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +4.8 pts 10.4%

9.2% Postgraduate degree ◂ +7.6 pts 1.6%

1.4% Certificate I / II +1.5 pts ▸ 2.9%

2.9% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +1.2 pts 1.7%

Field of qualification

16.5% Management & commerce ◂ +3.3 pts 13.2%

13.8% Society & culture ◂ +2.5 pts 11.3%

6.7% Engineering & related +4.8 pts ▸ 11.5%

10.7% Creative arts ◂ +9.3 pts 1.4%

10.2% Health ◂ +0.9 pts 9.3%

6.8% Education ◂ +0.2 pts 6.6%

6.6% Architecture & building ◂ +1.3 pts 5.3%

6.1% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +1.0 pts 5.1%

2.9% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +2.1 pts 0.8%

2.1% Agriculture & environment +0.1 pts ▸ 2.2%

1.2% Information technology ◂ +0.2 pts 0.9%

Income

Personal income in Byron Bay in Kempsey +$295 higher in Byron Bay gap widening

$837 81st pct $542 0th pct

Household income in Byron Bay in Kempsey +$667 higher in Byron Bay gap widening

$1,748 79th pct $1,081 5th pct

Family income in Byron Bay in Kempsey +$751 higher in Byron Bay gap widening

$2,091 77th pct $1,340 4th pct

Household income distribution

23.3% $650–$1,499 +12.9 pts ▸ 36.2%

27.8% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +3.9 pts 23.8%

17.1% Under $650 +6.7 pts ▸ 23.8%

13.5% $4,000 or more ◂ +10.5 pts 3.1%

9.1% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +4.5 pts 4.7%

Personal income distribution

33.5% Under $650 +14.8 pts ▸ 48.3%

35.3% $650–$1,499 ◂ +8.2 pts 27.1%

14.4% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +7.2 pts 7.2%

5.9% $3,000 or more ◂ +5.0 pts 0.9%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

6.2% Arthritis +6.9 pts ▸ 13.1%

7.1% Mental health +5.5 pts ▸ 12.6%

5.8% Asthma +5.1 pts ▸ 10.9%

6.7% Other condition +2.6 pts ▸ 9.3%

1.8% Diabetes +5.2 pts ▸ 7.0%

2.8% Heart disease +3.0 pts ▸ 5.9%

1.5% Lung condition +2.2 pts ▸ 3.6%

2.7% Cancer +0.8 pts ▸ 3.5%

0.8% Stroke +1.1 pts ▸ 2.0%

0.6% Dementia +0.8 pts ▸ 1.5%

Number of long-term health conditions

67.1% None ◂ +19.9 pts 47.2%

15.9% One condition +5.9 pts ▸ 21.8%

4.1% Two conditions +4.7 pts ▸ 8.8%

1.7% Three or more +4.5 pts ▸ 6.2%

Community Participation

Family & Households

Household size in Byron Bay in Kempsey +0.1 larger in Kempsey gap narrowing

2.4 43rd pct 2.5 71st pct

Family composition

50.0% Couples with children ◂ +6.6 pts 43.4%

34.5% Couples without children ◂ +6.5 pts 28.0%

14.5% One-parent families +12.3 pts ▸ 26.8%

0.9% Other families +0.9 pts ▸ 1.8%

Household size

33.6% 2 people +1.4 pts ▸ 35.0%

29.1% 1 person ◂ +0.2 pts 28.9%

16.3% 3 people ◂ +1.9 pts 14.4%

13.9% 4 people ◂ +2.9 pts 11.0%

5.1% 5 people +1.0 pts ▸ 6.1%

1.9% 6 or more +2.6 pts ▸ 4.4%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Byron Bay in Kempsey +$335 higher in Byron Bay gap widening

$620 100th pct $285 37th pct

Mortgage in Byron Bay in Kempsey +$1,040 higher in Byron Bay gap widening

$2,340 100th pct $1,300 29th pct

People / bedroom in Byron Bay in Kempsey +0.10 higher in Byron Bay gap steady

0.90 100th pct 0.80 57th pct

How homes are owned or rented

34.7% Owned outright +2.4 pts ▸ 37.1%

36.8% Rented ◂ +7.3 pts 29.5%

24.3% Owned with a mortgage +5.0 pts ▸ 29.3%

2.1% Not stated +0.6 pts ▸ 2.7%

2.2% Other tenure ◂ +0.7 pts 1.5%

Types of homes

61.6% Separate house +28.9 pts ▸ 90.6%

25.2% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +23.2 pts 2.0%

8.0% Flat or apartment ◂ +2.2 pts 5.9%

4.0% Other dwelling ◂ +2.8 pts 1.2%

Bedrooms per home

40.5% 3 bedrooms +6.3 pts ▸ 46.9%

21.9% 4 bedrooms +0.7 pts ▸ 22.6%

18.0% 2 bedrooms ◂ +0.4 pts 17.6%

9.4% 1 bedroom ◂ +5.7 pts 3.7%

6.0% 5 or more ◂ +0.4 pts 5.7%

1.8% Studio / none ◂ +1.2 pts 0.6%

Weekly rent distribution

11.8% $200–$349 +41.4 pts ▸ 53.2%

30.6% $750 or more ◂ +30.6 pts 0.0%

28.6% $550–$749 ◂ +27.9 pts 0.7%

16.2% $350–$549 +8.9 pts ▸ 25.1%

7.6% Under $200 +9.0 pts ▸ 16.6%

Monthly mortgage distribution

18.3% $1,000–$1,799 +26.6 pts ▸ 44.9%

32.4% $3,000 or more ◂ +28.6 pts 3.8%

27.6% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +10.2 pts 17.4%

14.7% Under $1,000 +12.1 pts ▸ 26.8%

Transport & Vehicles

How people get to work

44.2% Car (driver) +24.9 pts ▸ 69.1%

25.8% Worked at home ◂ +20.0 pts 5.8%

2.5% Car (passenger) +4.0 pts ▸ 6.5%

5.2% Walked ◂ +2.7 pts 2.5%

4.0% Bicycle ◂ +3.8 pts 0.2%

0.2% Bus +0.2 pts ▸ 0.4%

0.0% Train even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

38.5% 1 vehicle ◂ +0.9 pts 37.6%

36.7% 2 vehicles ◂ +2.9 pts 33.9%

12.5% 3 vehicles +0.5 pts ▸ 13.0%

7.0% 4 or more +1.1 pts ▸ 8.1%

5.3% No vehicle +2.1 pts ▸ 7.4%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

12.1% Health care & social assistance +9.4 pts ▸ 21.5%

20.1% Accommodation & food ◂ +11.8 pts 8.2%

8.6% Retail trade +4.3 pts ▸ 12.9%

9.6% Professional & technical ◂ +7.2 pts 2.3%

7.3% Education & training +1.5 pts ▸ 8.8%

8.0% Construction ◂ +0.3 pts 7.7%

2.2% Public administration & safety +5.0 pts ▸ 7.1%

3.3% Manufacturing +3.2 pts ▸ 6.5%

4.5% Administrative & support ◂ +0.7 pts 3.8%

1.9% Transport & warehousing +2.3 pts ▸ 4.3%

3.3% Other services +0.3 pts ▸ 3.6%

1.6% Agriculture, forestry & fishing +1.5 pts ▸ 3.0%

Occupations people work in

25.2% Professionals ◂ +10.9 pts 14.3%

13.8% Community & personal service +5.7 pts ▸ 19.5%

17.7% Managers ◂ +8.1 pts 9.6%

9.1% Labourers +4.6 pts ▸ 13.8%

13.7% Technicians & trades ◂ +1.2 pts 12.5%

8.3% Sales workers +2.2 pts ▸ 10.5%

7.3% Clerical & administrative +3.2 pts ▸ 10.5%

2.3% Machinery operators & drivers +5.1 pts ▸ 7.4%

Walkability

Walk score in Byron Bay in Kempsey +2.5 higher in Byron Bay

6.6 96th pct 4.1 27th pct

Types ≤15 min in Byron Bay in Kempsey +2.4 more in Byron Bay

6.3 94th pct 3.9 23rd pct

15-min city in Byron Bay in Kempsey +27.2 pts higher in Byron Bay

72.7% 87th pct 45.4% 29th pct

Walk to shops in Byron Bay in Kempsey +30.1 pts higher in Byron Bay

78.7% 95th pct 48.6% 33rd pct

Walk to transit in Byron Bay in Kempsey +22.8 pts higher in Byron Bay

92.5% 87th pct 69.7% 28th pct

Walk to school in Byron Bay in Kempsey +4.4 pts higher in Byron Bay

61.0% 41st pct 56.6% 32nd pct

Walk to a park in Byron Bay in Kempsey +24.2 pts higher in Byron Bay

94.8% 82nd pct 70.6% 12th pct

Walk to health in Byron Bay in Kempsey +35.5 pts higher in Byron Bay

70.3% 98th pct 34.8% 30th pct

Amenities/1k in Byron Bay in Kempsey +3.5 more in Kempsey

26.8 88th pct 30.2 91st pct

Intersections/km² in Byron Bay in Kempsey +23 higher in Byron Bay

33 72nd pct 10 24th pct

Mean slope in Byron Bay in Kempsey +1.8 pts higher in Kempsey

4.7% 41st pct 6.5% 72nd pct

Compare Byron Bay with nearby areas

Ballina Lismore Gold Coast - Tweed Heads Brisbane Grafton Coffs Harbour Warwick Toowoomba Sunshine Coast Kempsey Armidale Gympie

Compare Kempsey with nearby areas

Port Macquarie Camden Haven Taree Coffs Harbour Forster - Tuncurry Armidale Grafton Nelson Bay Tamworth Medowie Newcastle - Maitland Singleton

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Byron Bay vs Kempsey [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sua/1008/byron-bay/vs/1017/kempsey