🔍

Bowral

NSW 2576 • Rest of NSW

10,764
Population (2021)
$79,820
Median Household Income
37.18 km²
Area
$500/wk
Median Rent
Southern HighlandsBoutique ShoppingCool ClimateWeekend Escape

About Bowral

Bowral serves as the Southern Highlands' sophisticated heart, about 120 kilometres southwest of Sydney. This regional town of roughly 10,800 residents combines heritage streetscapes with boutique shopping and an increasingly impressive food scene. The cooler climate supports spectacular gardens and a pace of life that attracts weekenders and tree-changers.

The town attracts an interesting demographic - creative professionals working remotely, wealthy retirees, and established farming families who've been here for generations. The main street offers antiques, homewares, and cafes that rival Sydney's best. Cool-climate gardens, particularly during autumn, draw visitors year-round. It's country living with genuine sophistication, no pretension required.

Bowral falls under postcode 2576 and is governed by Wingecarribee Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Wollondilly electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2576
Urban Area
Wingecaribee
LGA / Council
Wingecarribee
Federal Electorate
Whitlam
State Electorate
Wollondilly
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.48°, 150.43°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
37.18 km²
Elevation
708m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Bowral for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$1.52M
237 sales · ▼ 5.8% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$1.06M
87 sales · ▲ 20.5% vs 2024

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$500
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,167
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
55 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.3%

43 state housing + 62 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Sydney CBD 297-396 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
99 km
By Train
Approximately 248 min to Sydney CBD (Central) by train
By Car (Peak)
70-120 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
55-90 min

🛣️ Located 99 km south-west of Sydney CBD

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be done on foot near the local centre, but most residents rely on a car for daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Oxley Mall Shopping Centre Cnr Boolwey Street & Bendooley Street Bowral 2576 NSW
  • Woolworths
    380 Bong Bong Street Bowral 2576 NSW
  • Harris Farm Markets
    72-76 Station St, Bowral NSW 2576

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 4 heritage-listed places in or near Bowral, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Kurkulla
Evans Lane, Bowral • SHR #00503
Bradman Oval and Collection of Cricket Memorabilia
Glebe Street, Bowral • SHR #01399
Mount Gibraltar Trachyte Quarries Complex
Oxley Drive Bowral • SHR #01917
Milton Park Cultural Landscape
Horderns Road, Bowral • SHR #02026

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Wingecarribee Local Government Area, which contains Bowral. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
84 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 8.1%
Motor vehicle theft
54.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
257.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 4.2%
Robbery (unarmed)
nc / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
84 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 10.3%
View all 62 offence types for Wingecarribee →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
10,335
Census 2021
10,764
▲ 4.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$34,060
Personal Income 2021
$41,704
▲ 22.4% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$41,704 / yr
$802/wk
Household
$79,820 / yr
$1535/wk
Family
$108,160 / yr
$2080/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 7,957
Born Overseas 2,339

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 774
  • 2. New Zealand 187
  • 3. South Africa 106
  • 4. Nepal 105
  • 5. India 99
  • 6. Scotland 82
  • 7. United States 73
  • 8. Germany 66
  • 9. China 51
  • 10. Italy 42

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 4,979
Australian 3,657
Irish 1,723
Scottish 1,528
German 420
Italian 338
Dutch 163
Australian Aboriginal 133
Chinese 130
French 120

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

5,890
Both parents born in Australia
2,736
Both parents born overseas
1,551
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
56.9%
No Religion
34.2%
Hinduism
1.3%
Buddhism
0.9%
Judaism
0.4%
Islam
0.2%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
369 (3.4%)
5-14 years
1,160 (10.8%)
15-19 years
519 (4.8%)
20-24 years
367 (3.4%)
25-34 years
648 (6.0%)
35-44 years
947 (8.8%)
45-54 years
1,291 (12.0%)
55-64 years
1,383 (12.8%)
65-74 years
1,820 (16.9%)
75-84 years
1,613 (15.0%)
85+ years
662 (6.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bowral known for? +

Bowral is a well-established residential suburb in Wingecarribee, NSW, known for its mix of housing types, local schools, and community facilities. The suburb has a population of approximately 10,764 residents and forms part of the broader Rest of NSW region.

How far is Bowral from Sydney CBD? +

Bowral is approximately 99 kilometres from Sydney CBD, typically a 55-90 min drive under normal traffic conditions. The suburb is in a regional location and most residents rely on local services rather than commuting to the CBD.

Does Bowral have public transport? +

Bowral is served by local bus services connecting residents to the broader metropolitan network. The nearest train station provides connections to Sydney CBD.

What is the population of Bowral? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bowral has a population of approximately 10,764 residents. The suburb is a significant residential area within the Wingecarribee district.

Is Bowral a good place to live? +

Bowral appeals to families, professionals, and established residents who value its range of local amenities, schools, and community facilities. With a median taxable income of around $43,256, it attracts a mix of household types. Like most NSW suburbs, lifestyle quality depends on proximity to work and preferred amenities.

What is the postcode for Bowral? +

The postcode for Bowral, NSW is 2576.

What is the average income in Bowral? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Bowral is about $802 per week (around $41,700 per year). The median household income is $1,535 per week and the median family income is $2,080 per week.

What is the median house price in Bowral? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,520,000, down 5.8% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $1,060,000, up 20.5% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Bowral? +

The median age in Bowral is 55. The largest age group is 65–74 (1,820 residents, around 17%). Around 19% of residents are under 20 and about 38% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Bowral a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bowral is part of the Wingecarribee LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Bowral? +

In Bowral, the median weekly rent is $500, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,167 (2021 Census).