Kempsey Shire is a local government area in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, Australia.

The shire services an area of 3,380 square kilometres (1,310 sq mi) and is located on the Pacific Highway and the North Coast railway line.

The shire also contains a coastal strip that was identified in 2007, and confirmed in 2015, as one of the most socially disadvantaged areas in Australia.

[7] At the 2011 Census Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 11.1 per cent of the population, more than four times the national average.

[7] Kempsey Shire Council is composed of nine councillors, including the mayor, for a fixed four-year term of office.