NSW · Shoalhaven Council
Nowra, 2541
Current weather
13.4°CClear sky
57% humidity · 8.3 km/h wind · 18.6° / 9.5° today · 2.2 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
- National parks
Suburb profile
Nowra is a regional centre in Shoalhaven that balances local services with a more relaxed pace of life. Life revolves around the local community, with the wider region offering trips and services when needed. Tree-lined streets and leafy pockets give the suburb a noticeably green, settled character.
Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with plenty of young families in the mix. Neighbourhood food and coffee spots add warmth to the local routine. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.
Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible. The area offers approachable housing costs alongside a lifestyle that still feels complete.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by parks and green space and growth momentum, while community and employment and safety sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar regional towns.
Population
- Population
- 9,956
- Median age
- 40
- Median household income / week
- $1,037
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 350 of 4,198
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,500
- Employment rate
- 39.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 393 / 524 / 188
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $401
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $550
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $530
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 296
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 1,638
- Against the person
- 450
- Against property
- 602
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 164.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 22 residents
- State safety percentile
- 93.3th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +0.1%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions633
- Domestic Violence Related Assault305
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment444
- Malicious Damage To Property449
- Steal From Retail Store420
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 8
- Median school ICSEA (8 schools)
- 965
- Nowra Christian SchoolCombined
- Nowra East Public SchoolPrimary
- Nowra High SchoolSecondary
- Nowra Hill Public SchoolPrimary
- Nowra Public SchoolPrimary
- Shoalhaven High SchoolSecondary
- St John the Evangelist Catholic High SchoolSecondary
- St Michael's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
240 public transport stops in this suburb
- Bridge Rd Opp Shoalhaven Council
- Bridge St Op Hyam St
- Kinghorne St At Junction St
- Nowra Bus Terminal, Stewart Pl
- Nowra Bus Terminal, Stewart Pl
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- RoadworksEast Street, Plunkett Street15 Jun 2026 – 23 Jul 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
318 planning-related records
2026· 21 proposals
June 2026
- Dual occupancy; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation17 VENDETTA STREET NOWRA 2541Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure3 GUNGAROO PLACE NOWRA 2541Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 OLIVER PARADE NOWRA 2541Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation82 SHOALHAVEN STREET NOWRA 2541Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces130 BICE ROAD NOWRA 2541Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport36 WARRIGAL STREET NOWRA 2541Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport18 CORNELIUS PLACE NOWRA 2541Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Service station112 KALANDAR STREET NOWRA 2541Under Assessment
May 2026
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia117 OSBORNE STREET NOWRA 2541Under Assessment
- Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 O'KEEFFE AVENUE NOWRA 2541Withdrawn
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Residential Accommodation6 VIEW STREET NOWRA 2541Under Assessment
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure20 NORTH STREET NOWRA 2541Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Medium Density Housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation16 WEST STREET NOWRA 2541Under Assessment
- Subdivision14 RIVERVIEW ROAD NOWRA 2541Under Assessment
February 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia8 ELIZABETH AVENUE NOWRA 2541Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport18 CORNELIUS PLACE NOWRA 2541Determined
- Demolition; Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Retail Premise83 Junction St NOWRA - Lot 1 DP 539582Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation14 HOBART STREET NOWRA 2541Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure2A ERNEST STREET NOWRA 2541Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure14 MORTON PARADE NOWRA 2541Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure46 LYREBIRD DRIVE NOWRA 2541Determined
2025· 19 proposals
December 2025
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia119 BERRY STREET NOWRA 2541Additional Information Requested
- Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure1 CLIPPER ROAD NOWRA 2541Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Community facility103 JUNCTION STREET NOWRA 2541Determined
- Business premises; Advertising and signage; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia52 WORRIGEE STREET NOWRA 2541Deferred Commencement
November 2025
- Pub; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure90 KALANDAR STREET NOWRA 2541Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Group home; Group home (permanent)68 JOURNAL STREET NOWRA 2541Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure14 ELDER CRESCENT NOWRA 2541Determined
- Commercial development; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care31 HOLLOWAY ROAD NOWRA 2541Determined
October 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support40 JUNCTION STREET NOWRA 2541Determined
- Subdivision102 KALANDAR STREET NOWRA 2541Determined
- Subdivision68 RAINFORD ROAD NOWRA 2541Determined
September 2025
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure41 WEST STREET NOWRA 2541Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure28 PLUNKETT STREET NOWRA 2541Determined
- Advertising and signage; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Neighbourhood supermarket; Hours of operation and trading15 KINGHORNE STREET NOWRA 2541Determined
- Commercial development; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care31 HOLLOWAY ROAD NOWRA 2541Determined
July 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure77 PARK ROAD NOWRA 2541Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure12 GREENWELL POINT ROAD NOWRA 2541Determined
- Office Premise; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia30 OSBORNE STREET NOWRA 2541Deferred Commencement
June 2025
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure96 WALLACE STREET NOWRA 2541Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
97 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- LiquorlandAlcohol
- StrandbagsBag
- Bakers DelightBakery
- Punch the PloughmanBakery
- Bicycle
- Direct BikesBicycle
- Nowra Cycle CentreBicycle
- Bicycle Parking
- Albatross Rd after Berry StBus stop
- Berry St at Albatross RdBus stop
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
13 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Allowrie Crescent ReservePark
- Arunta Close ReservePark
- Davis ParkPark
- Harry Sawkins ParkPark
- Margaret Kerwick ParkPark
- Marriott ParkPark
- Mavromattes ReservePark
- Paringa ParkPark
- Parramatta ParkPark
- Rauch ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 8
- Emergency department
- On site
- Bay Audioaudiologist
- Blooms The Chemistpharmacy
- Chemist Outletpharmacy
- Nowra Private Hospitalhospital
- Nowra RadiologyNorth Streetcentre
- Ramsay Pharmacypharmacy
- Shoalhaven District Memorial HospitalScenic Drivehospital
- Shoalhaven Drug & Alcohol ServiceBerry Streetclinic
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 1/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 1/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
2 state heritage places
- Graham LodgePleasant Way, NowraSHR
- Meroogal35 West Street NowraSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Nowra East Public School Preschoolkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 16
- Parks (OSM)
- 16
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 62.3/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 12% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 654th in Australia
- State rank
- 246th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #16 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #33 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Albatross Rd after Berry Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Autobarnamenitiescar_parts
- Bakers Delightamenitiesbakery
- Berry St at Albatross Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Bicycleamenitiesbicycle
- Bicycle Parkingamenitiesbicycle_parking
- Blooms The Chemistamenitiespharmacy
- Boer War Memorialamenitiesfountain
- Bridge St opp Hyam Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Cafeamenitiescafe
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Shoalhaven Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.