Nowra
NSWNowra is a growing suburb in NSW with 9,956 residents.
- SAL code
- 13039
- SA2
- 114011278
- Population
- 9,956
- LGA
- Shoalhaven
Nowra, NSW had 9,956 residents at the 2021 Census, with the broader statistical area showing a 6.5% growth over the last five years. The predominant age group is 25-34 years, and the median age sits at 40. Households are most often couples with children, and those with a mortgage repay a median of $1,500 a month. Around 52.3% of homes are owner-occupied, with the largest single tenure being rented at 47.8%. Most dwellings are separate houses, making up 81.6% of the suburb's housing stock. The suburb has 18 parks and reserves mapped within its boundary. Source: ABS Census 2021 and Estimated Resident Population, with amenity counts from state Open Data and OpenStreetMap.
Population
?9,956
Suburb · Census 2021
5-Year Growth
+6.5%
3yr: +1.9% · 10yr: +17.9%
SA2 · 5yr
Household Income
$1,037/wk
Suburb · Census 2021 median
Median Age
40
Suburb · Census 2021
Socio-Economic Index
?2/10
SA2 · more disadvantaged
Unemployment
?5.6%
SA4 · Q4 2025
Schools
4
2 primary, 2 secondary
Hospitals
?1
Within suburb
Childcare services
?16
9 long day, 3 OSHC
Parks & green space
?18
Parks, reserves
Transport stops
No data for this suburb
Dwelling approvals
?57
Shoalhaven · Feb 2026
Median Weekly Rent
Based on NSW rental bond lodgements, aggregated at postcode level. All SALs sharing this postcode show the same median.
Median House Sale Price
Source: state Valuer-General (suburb-level quarterly medians).
→ Calculate stamp duty on this suburb's median price→ Estimate mortgage repayments→ Calculate rental yield (price + median rent)
Safety & Crime
2025 Q4Reported incidents from NSW police. Offence rates may not reflect all crime.
Population over time — Nowra (SA2)
ABS publishes annual estimates only at SA2; Nowra suburb alone is ~9,956 (Census 2021).
Growth at a Glance
Population grew from 14,125 to 23,716 over 24 years, averaging 2.2% per year.
Schools
4 in suburbGovernment school catchment
Intake zonePrimary
Nowra PS54.0%
- Nowra EPS 40.6%
- Terara PS 4.5%
- Bomaderry PS 0.6%
- Illaroo Rd PS 0.3%
Secondary
Nowra HS58.8%
- Shoalhaven HS 40.6%
- Bomaderry HS 0.6%
Source: NSW Department of Education — School Intake Zones. Boundaries can be amended without notice; confirm with the school before relying on enrolment.
Profile
Census snapshot
Housing
Public housing 10.0%Almost entirely detached houses (81.6%), mixed tenure (52% own or mortgage), built for families (48% are 3 bed).
Dwelling mix
Tenure
Number of bedrooms
Bushfire & flood risk
Hazard data is not yet available for NSW.
Source when available: NSW Rural Fire Service (BFPL) and NSW DPHI EPI Flood.
Planning zones
12 zones in suburb| Code | Zone | % covered | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| R2 | ZoneResidential | 23.9% | 2.15 km² |
| RE1 | ZoneRecreation | 21.7% | 1.95 km² |
| R1 | ZoneResidential | 15.0% | 1.35 km² |
| SP2 | ZoneSpecial use | 11.7% | 1.06 km² |
| MU1 | ZoneBusiness | 7.0% | 0.63 km² |
| R3 | ZoneResidential | 6.2% | 0.56 km² |
| RU1 | ZoneRural | 6.0% | 0.54 km² |
| W2 | ZoneWaterway | 4.1% | 0.37 km² |
| E2 | ZoneEnvironmental | 3.6% | 0.32 km² |
| SP3 | ZoneSpecial use | 0.3% | 0.02 km² |
| E3 | ZoneEnvironmental | 0.2% | 0.02 km² |
| E4 | ZoneEnvironmental | 0.1% | 0.01 km² |
Source: NSW DPHI EPI Land Zoning (ZONE_NSW/2026-04-29/1eccf1a530fa1be5) · As of Apr 2026. Zone boundaries are amended periodically; verify the exact property with the relevant council before relying on permitted use.