🔍

Sussex Inlet

NSW 2540 • Rest of NSW

3,888
Population (2021)
$46,124
Median Household Income
36.36 km²
Area
$310/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetiree-HavenRiversideQuietPeaceful

About Sussex Inlet

Sussex Inlet is a quiet coastal township located on the southern shores of St Georges Basin on the New South Wales South Coast, approximately 200 kilometres south of Sydney and 35 kilometres east of Nowra within the Shoalhaven City Council area. With a population of around 3,888 residents and a median age of 61, it is predominantly a retirement and lifestyle community, attracting those seeking a relaxed pace of life far from urban centres. The suburb's generous 36 square kilometre footprint includes estuary foreshore, rural residential lots, and bushland fringing.

The town is centred around the inlet itself, offering fishing, boating, kayaking, and birdwatching in a peaceful natural setting, with several parks and a small commercial strip catering to everyday needs. Local infrastructure includes a general store, pub, medical services, and a primary school, though residents rely on Nowra or Ulladulla for major retail and services. There is no rail service, making a private vehicle essential; the area appeals strongly to retirees, holiday home owners, and those seeking a genuine escape from city life.

Sussex Inlet falls under postcode 2540 and is governed by Shoalhaven Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the South Coast electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2540
Urban Area
Shoalhaven
LGA / Council
Shoalhaven
Federal Electorate
Gilmore
State Electorate
South Coast
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.15°, 150.56°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
36.36 km²
Elevation
22m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$753K
106 sales · ▼ 4.8% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$600K
17 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)
$310
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,511
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
61 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1%

6 state housing + 11 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink Coach — Nowra (Bomaderry) 45-60 min
  • Limited local services — Vincentia / St Georges Basin 15-25 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
200 km
By Train
No direct train service; coach to Bomaderry then train to Sydney (~2.5 hr total)
By Car (Peak)
2.5-3 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
2-2.5 hr

🛣️ Accessible via Princes Highway and Jervis Bay Road; a private vehicle is essential

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

The small local strip covers basic needs but most errands and all major shopping require driving

🛒 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 Sussex Inlet. 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
3,575
Census 2021
3,888
▲ 8.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$23,452
Personal Income 2021
$25,688
▲ 9.5% 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
$25,688 / yr
$494/wk
Household
$46,124 / yr
$887/wk
Family
$63,336 / yr
$1218/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,034
Born Overseas 499

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 194
  • 2. New Zealand 45
  • 3. Scotland 31
  • 4. Germany 22
  • 5. Malta 20
  • 6. Netherlands 18
  • 7. China 12
  • 8. Croatia 8
  • 9. India 8
  • 10. Italy 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,749
Australian 1,542
Irish 433
Scottish 415
Australian Aboriginal 152
German 151
Italian 70
Dutch 52
Maltese 40
Polish 35

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,525
Both parents born in Australia
619
Both parents born overseas
424
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
54.9%
No Religion
34.7%
Buddhism
0.5%
Hinduism
0.4%
Islam
0.3%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
132 (3.4%)
5-14 years
263 (6.8%)
15-19 years
149 (3.8%)
20-24 years
111 (2.9%)
25-34 years
260 (6.7%)
35-44 years
258 (6.6%)
45-54 years
356 (9.2%)
55-64 years
687 (17.7%)
65-74 years
873 (22.5%)
75-84 years
557 (14.3%)
85+ years
234 (6.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sussex Inlet known for? +

Sussex Inlet is a quiet coastal township located on the southern shores of St Georges Basin on the New South Wales South Coast, approximately 200 kilometres south of Sydney and 35 kilometres east of Nowra within the Shoalhaven City Council area.

How far is Sussex Inlet from Sydney CBD? +

Sussex Inlet is approximately 200 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes around 2.5-3 hr during peak hour and 2-2.5 hr off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately No direct train service; coach to Bomaderry then train to Sydney (~2.5 hr total).

Does Sussex Inlet have public transport? +

Sussex Inlet is served by bus routes (NSW TrainLink Coach) connecting to Nowra (Bomaderry) with a travel time of approximately 45-60 min. There is no train or metro station in the suburb.

What is the population of Sussex Inlet? +

According to the 2021 Census, Sussex Inlet has a population of approximately 3,888 residents.

Is Sussex Inlet a good place to live? +

Sussex Inlet is well-regarded for its coastal lifestyle, offering natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and a relaxed community feel. It suits those who prioritise beach access and a quieter pace of life over proximity to a major city.

What is the postcode for Sussex Inlet? +

The postcode for Sussex Inlet in NSW is 2540.

What is the average income in Sussex Inlet? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Sussex Inlet is about $494 per week (around $25,700 per year). The median household income is $887 per week and the median family income is $1,218 per week.

What is the median house price in Sussex Inlet? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $753,000, down 4.8% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $600,000, up 4.1% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Sussex Inlet? +

The median age in Sussex Inlet is 61. The largest age group is 65–74 (873 residents, around 22%). Around 14% of residents are under 20 and about 43% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Sussex Inlet a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Sussex Inlet 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 Sussex Inlet? +

In Sussex Inlet, the median weekly rent is $310, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,511 (2021 Census).