🔍

South Nowra

NSW 2541 • Rest of NSW

3,165
Population (2021)
$93,028
Median Household Income
8.62 km²
Area
$398/wk
Median Rent
SuburbanFamily-FriendlyMulticulturalCoastalAffordable

About South Nowra

South Nowra is a suburb of Nowra in the City of Shoalhaven, located approximately 170 kilometres south of Sydney on the South Coast of New South Wales, about 6 kilometres south of Nowra's town centre. The suburb covers 8.6 square kilometres at an elevation of 42 metres along both sides of the Princes Highway, and had a population of 3,165 at the 2021 Census. With a median age of 33 and median household income of $1,789 per week, South Nowra has a relatively young demographic mix that includes a notable Indian community and a significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of around 9.8%.

South Nowra combines residential housing with a corridor of light industry and commercial uses along the Princes Highway, serving as a practical gateway to the wider Nowra area. Residents have easy access to Nowra's town centre shopping, schools, and the Shoalhaven River, while the natural highlights of the South Coast — including Jervis Bay, Booderee National Park, and Seven Mile Beach — are within an hour's drive. Bus services connect the suburb to central Nowra and regional destinations, though most residents rely on private vehicles, particularly for the approximately 2.5-hour drive to Sydney. The suburb's mix of housing affordability and coastal accessibility makes it a practical base for Shoalhaven workers and families.

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

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2541
Urban Area
Shoalhaven
LGA / Council
Shoalhaven
Federal Electorate
Gilmore
State Electorate
Kiama
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.91°, 150.60°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
8.62 km²
Elevation
42m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$850K
80 sales · ▲ 0% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$682K
45 sales · ▲ 25.7% 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)
$398
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,000
Avg Household Size
2.8 people
Median Age
33 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
4.2%

28 state housing + 17 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink Regional Coach / Nowra Bus Company — Sydney (Central Station) and Nowra CBD 2 hr 30 min to Sydney; 10-15 min to Nowra CBD

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
170 km
By Train
No direct rail. NSW TrainLink coaches run to Sydney (~2.5hr); some routes connect to rail at Berry or Kiama
By Car (Peak)
2 hr 30 min - 3 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr - 2 hr 30 min

🛣️ Princes Highway is the main route north. Freeway upgrades ongoing along the South Coast corridor

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most residents need a car for daily errands; some local shops and services accessible along the Princes Highway corridor

🛒 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 South 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
1,928
Census 2021
3,165
▲ 64.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$34,164
Personal Income 2021
$43,160
▲ 26.3% 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
$43,160 / yr
$830/wk
Household
$93,028 / yr
$1789/wk
Family
$105,508 / yr
$2029/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,493
Born Overseas 500

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. India 140
  • 2. England 98
  • 3. Philippines 41
  • 4. New Zealand 31
  • 5. Nepal 22
  • 6. Sri Lanka 17
  • 7. Scotland 15
  • 8. United States 11
  • 9. China 9
  • 10. Germany 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,364
English 1,199
Australian Aboriginal 300
Irish 282
Scottish 256
Indian 141
German 107
Filipino 59
Italian 56
Dutch 50

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,965
Both parents born in Australia
655
Both parents born overseas
367
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
46.3%
No Religion
40.6%
Hinduism
3.7%
Buddhism
0.9%
Sikhism
0.9%
Islam
0.8%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
265 (8.4%)
5-14 years
507 (16.0%)
15-19 years
174 (5.5%)
20-24 years
193 (6.1%)
25-34 years
527 (16.7%)
35-44 years
480 (15.2%)
45-54 years
318 (10.0%)
55-64 years
260 (8.2%)
65-74 years
267 (8.4%)
75-84 years
125 (3.9%)
85+ years
54 (1.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is South Nowra known for? +

South Nowra is known as a practical, affordable suburban base on the Princes Highway in the City of Shoalhaven, with a mix of residential and light industrial uses. It serves as a southern gateway to Nowra and provides easy access to the South Coast's natural attractions including Jervis Bay, Booderee National Park, and the Shoalhaven River.

How far is South Nowra from Sydney? +

South Nowra is approximately 170 kilometres south of Sydney, making it a 2.5 to 3-hour drive via the Princes Highway or Hume/South Western Highway and Nowra Road.

Does South Nowra have public transport? +

South Nowra is served by local bus services connecting to Nowra CBD, and NSW TrainLink regional coach services run between Nowra and Sydney. There is no passenger train station in Nowra; the nearest rail connection is at Berry or the Kiama line terminus at Bomaderry, around 14 kilometres north of Nowra.

What is the population of South Nowra? +

According to the 2021 Census, South Nowra has a population of 3,165 residents. The suburb has a relatively young median age of 33 and a diverse community that includes a notable Indian population and around 9.8% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents.

Is South Nowra a good place to live? +

South Nowra offers affordable housing within easy reach of Nowra's services and the natural beauty of the South Coast. It suits families and workers employed in the Shoalhaven region, and those who value beach and bushland access, though Sydney commuters should be prepared for the long drive or coach journey.

What is the postcode for South Nowra? +

The postcode for South Nowra is 2541, shared with Nowra and several other nearby localities in the Shoalhaven area.

What is the average income in South Nowra? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in South Nowra is about $830 per week (around $43,200 per year). The median household income is $1,789 per week and the median family income is $2,029 per week.

What is the median house price in South Nowra? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $850,000, up 0% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $682,000, up 25.7% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of South Nowra? +

The median age in South Nowra is 33. The largest age group is 25–34 (527 residents, around 17%). Around 30% of residents are under 20 and about 14% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is South Nowra a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. South 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 South Nowra? +

In South Nowra, the median weekly rent is $398, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,000 (2021 Census).