🔍

Shoalhaven Heads

NSW 2535 • Rest of NSW

3,248
Population (2021)
$55,432
Median Household Income
3.93 km²
Area
$365/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetireesBeachsideAffordable

About Shoalhaven Heads

Shoalhaven Heads is a small coastal town on the South Coast of New South Wales, located approximately 149 kilometres south of Sydney within the City of Shoalhaven local government area. Situated at the mouth of the Shoalhaven River where it meets the Tasman Sea, the town enjoys a stunning natural setting with beaches, river frontage, and surrounding farmland. With a population of around 3,000 residents, Shoalhaven Heads has a peaceful, village-like character that attracts retirees, holiday-makers, and those seeking a quieter coastal lifestyle.

Life in Shoalhaven Heads centres on its beautiful natural surroundings — from the surf beach and river mouth to the walking trails and birdwatching opportunities within nearby Seven Mile Beach National Park. The town has a small local shopping village, a surf club, and a primary school, with the regional centre of Nowra providing broader services about 19 kilometres to the west. The area is particularly popular with retirees and weekenders escaping Sydney, drawn by the affordable property prices, relaxed pace, and stunning Shoalhaven coast scenery.

Shoalhaven Heads falls under postcode 2535 and is governed by Shoalhaven Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Kiama electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2535
Urban Area
Shoalhaven
LGA / Council
Shoalhaven
Federal Electorate
Gilmore
State Electorate
Kiama
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.85°, 150.74°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
3.93 km²
Elevation
11m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.16M
69 sales · ▲ 13.7% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$700K
16 sales · ▲ 4.1% 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)
$365
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,950
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
56 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1%

14 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Bomaderry Station
22 km
Not walkable

Bus Services

  • Nowra Bus Company local services — Nowra / Bomaderry 30–40 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
149 km
By Train
~2 hrs 20 min from Bomaderry to Central Station
By Car (Peak)
2 hrs–2 hrs 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 45 min

🛣️ South Coast Line from Bomaderry (~22 km away); Princes Motorway (M1) by car

Walkability Car-Dependent

The town centre and beach are walkable for locals, but most services require a drive to Nowra; no local train access

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Shoalhaven Local Government Area, which contains Shoalhaven Heads. 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
3,059
Census 2021
3,248
▲ 6.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$26,936
Personal Income 2021
$31,824
▲ 18.1% 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
$31,824 / yr
$612/wk
Household
$55,432 / yr
$1066/wk
Family
$79,248 / yr
$1524/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,592
Born Overseas 431

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 180
  • 2. New Zealand 42
  • 3. Germany 19
  • 4. Netherlands 19
  • 5. Scotland 15
  • 6. United States 12
  • 7. Philippines 10
  • 8. China 9
  • 9. South Africa 9
  • 10. Malaysia 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,527
Australian 1,278
Irish 428
Scottish 380
German 122
Australian Aboriginal 108
Italian 62
Dutch 50
New Zealander 31
Maltese 27

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,158
Both parents born in Australia
541
Both parents born overseas
352
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.0%
No Religion
41.6%
Buddhism
0.4%
Islam
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
156 (4.8%)
5-14 years
315 (9.7%)
15-19 years
121 (3.7%)
20-24 years
85 (2.6%)
25-34 years
255 (7.9%)
35-44 years
316 (9.7%)
45-54 years
333 (10.3%)
55-64 years
475 (14.6%)
65-74 years
639 (19.7%)
75-84 years
422 (13.0%)
85+ years
129 (4.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What beach is at Shoalhaven Heads? +

Shoalhaven Heads has a surf beach at the mouth of the Shoalhaven River, and is adjacent to Seven Mile Beach which stretches south along the coast within a national park.

How far is Shoalhaven Heads from Sydney? +

Shoalhaven Heads is approximately 149 kilometres south of Sydney, roughly a 1 hour 45 minute to 2 hour drive via the Princes Motorway.

What is the nearest town to Shoalhaven Heads? +

Berry is the nearest town at about 11 kilometres to the north, while Nowra (Shoalhaven's regional centre) is 19 kilometres to the west and provides hospitals, shopping centres, and major services.

Is Shoalhaven Heads good for families? +

Shoalhaven Heads has a government primary school and a family-friendly beach environment, though secondary school students typically travel to Nowra. The town is especially popular with retirees and holiday-home owners.

What is the average income in Shoalhaven Heads? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Shoalhaven Heads is about $612 per week (around $31,800 per year). The median household income is $1,066 per week and the median family income is $1,524 per week.

What is the median house price in Shoalhaven Heads? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,160,000, up 13.7% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $700,000, up 4.1% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Shoalhaven Heads? +

The median age in Shoalhaven Heads is 56. The largest age group is 65–74 (639 residents, around 20%). Around 18% of residents are under 20 and about 37% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Shoalhaven Heads a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Shoalhaven Heads 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.

What is the population of Shoalhaven Heads? +

Shoalhaven Heads had a population of 3,248 at the 2021 Census, up 6.2% from 3,059 in 2016.

How much is rent in Shoalhaven Heads? +

In Shoalhaven Heads, the median weekly rent is $365, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,950 (2021 Census).