🔍

Nowra

NSW 2541 • Rest of NSW

9,956
Population (2021)
$53,924
Median Household Income
8.99 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
Regional CentreCoastal LifestyleAffordableRetirement-FriendlyRiver Town

About Nowra

Nowra is the commercial heart of the Shoalhaven region, located 160 kilometres south of Sydney on the banks of the Shoalhaven River. With a population of around 10,000 in the town centre (and over 22,000 in the broader urban area), it serves as the major service and retail hub for the South Coast. The name derives from an Aboriginal word for the black cockatoo. Nowra combines the relaxed pace of regional living with good amenities, making it increasingly popular with retirees, families, and those seeking coastal lifestyle without big-city prices.

The town offers a full range of shopping along Kinghorne Street including Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi, plus specialty stores, cafés and restaurants. The nearby Shoalhaven River and Jervis Bay provide excellent fishing, boating, and beaches, while Bundanon — the former home of artist Arthur Boyd — offers world-class cultural experiences. HMAS Albatross, the Royal Australian Navy air station, is a major local employer. Nowra suits those wanting affordable housing, natural beauty, and a strong community feel, with healthcare, schools and services that serve the wider region.

Nowra falls under postcode 2541 and is governed by Shoalhaven Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the South Coast electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 NSW Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2541
Urban Area
Nowra
LGA / Council
Shoalhaven
Federal Electorate
Gilmore
State Electorate
South Coast
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.88°, 150.61°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
8.99 km²
Elevation
16m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$700K
218 sales · ▲ 7.7% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$453K
40 sales · ▲ 4.9% 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)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,500
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
40 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
17.3%

385 state housing + 281 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Bomaderry
3 km
36 min

Bus Services

  • Route 40, 41 — Bomaderry Station / Culburra Beach 10-15 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
160 km
By Train
2 hr 45 min from Bomaderry via South Coast Line
By Car (Peak)
2 hr-2 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 50 min-2 hr 10 min

🛣️ Shoalhaven regional centre; HMAS Albatross nearby; Bomaderry is the rail terminus

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Nowra CBD is compact with most services walkable; outlying areas require a car

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Cnr Kinghorne Street & Junction Street Nowra 2541 NSW
  • Woolworths
    9-13 Kinghorne Street Nowra 2541 NSW
  • ALDI
    8 - 16 Kinghorne Street, Nowra NSW 2541

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 2 heritage-listed places in or near Nowra, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Meroogal
35 West Street Nowra • SHR #00953
Graham Lodge
Pleasant Way, Nowra • SHR #01699

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
223.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.6%
Motor vehicle theft
175.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 2.2%
Non-DV assault
461.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 1.7%
Robbery (unarmed)
8.1 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
245.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.0%
View all 62 offence types for Shoalhaven →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
9,193
Census 2021
9,956
▲ 8.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$24,024
Personal Income 2021
$28,808
▲ 19.9% 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
$28,808 / yr
$554/wk
Household
$53,924 / yr
$1037/wk
Family
$69,004 / yr
$1327/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 7,495
Born Overseas 1,332

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 316
  • 2. India 132
  • 3. Philippines 87
  • 4. New Zealand 86
  • 5. China 65
  • 6. Nepal 49
  • 7. Thailand 44
  • 8. Scotland 41
  • 9. Netherlands 32
  • 10. Germany 30

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 3,871
English 3,749
Australian Aboriginal 1,124
Irish 1,048
Scottish 831
German 334
Italian 171
Filipino 134
Chinese 120
Dutch 109

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

6,179
Both parents born in Australia
1,623
Both parents born overseas
1,009
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
44.4%
No Religion
39.5%
Buddhism
1.6%
Hinduism
1.2%
Islam
0.6%
Sikhism
0.3%
Judaism
0.0%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
632 (6.3%)
5-14 years
1,203 (12.1%)
15-19 years
579 (5.8%)
20-24 years
566 (5.7%)
25-34 years
1,353 (13.6%)
35-44 years
1,036 (10.4%)
45-54 years
1,104 (11.1%)
55-64 years
1,189 (11.9%)
65-74 years
1,081 (10.9%)
75-84 years
771 (7.7%)
85+ years
444 (4.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nowra known for? +

Nowra is the commercial heart of the Shoalhaven region, located 160 kilometres south of Sydney on the banks of the Shoalhaven River. With a population of around 10,000 in the town centre (and over 22,000 in the broader urban area), it serves as the major service and retail hub for the South Coast.

How far is Nowra from Sydney CBD? +

Nowra is a rural locality in NSW. Access to the nearest CBD requires a private vehicle, as public transport options are very limited.

Does Nowra have public transport? +

Nowra has no public transport services. A private vehicle is essential for all travel in this area.

What is the population of Nowra? +

According to the 2021 Census, Nowra has a population of approximately 9,956 residents.

Is Nowra a good place to live? +

Nowra offers a suburban lifestyle in NSW. The area suits those looking for a quieter setting away from major urban centres.

What is the postcode for Nowra? +

The postcode for Nowra in NSW is 2541.

What is the average income in Nowra? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Nowra is about $554 per week (around $28,800 per year). The median household income is $1,037 per week and the median family income is $1,327 per week.

What is the median house price in Nowra? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $700,000, up 7.7% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $452,500, up 4.9% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Nowra? +

The median age in Nowra is 40. The largest age group is 25–34 (1,353 residents, around 14%). Around 24% of residents are under 20 and about 23% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Nowra a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Nowra is part of the Shoalhaven 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 Nowra? +

In Nowra, the median weekly rent is $300, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,500 (2021 Census).