Nowra Hill
Large blocks and a 99.2% separate-house share give Nowra Hill a distinctly low-density profile across 33.99 square kilometres, with 2,141 residents and a density of 63 people per square kilometre. Compared with nearby Nowra and South Nowra, the suburb reads as a family and mortgage-belt locality rather than a compact apartment market. Its median age is 37, while average household size is 3.0 people, or 0.5 above the national comparison. Household income sits at the 71st percentile, although 70.0% of residents are male and public administration, trades and healthcare shape the employment base. The housing pattern reflects larger households and detached dwellings, while 71.3% of workers drive, because daily services and jobs are spread across the wider Nowra area.
Local council: Shoalhaven
Population
2,141
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,902/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
25
Nowra Hill suits buyers seeking detached, family-sized housing, with 69.6% of dwellings containing four or more bedrooms and 99.2% classed as separate houses. The typical mortgage indicator is $2,167 per month, equal to 26.3% of household income, while rent is $285 per week and rent-to-income is 15.0%. Ownership is relatively strong, with 42.1% owning outright and 44.3% paying a mortgage, compared with just 10.9% renting. The average household has 3.0 people, 0.5 above the national average, which helps explain demand for larger homes. Buyers should budget for car travel and compare block size, renovation needs and commuting costs than relying on dwelling size alone.
For Buyers
Nowra Hill suits buyers seeking detached, family-sized housing, with 69.6% of dwellings containing four or more bedrooms and 99.2% classed as separate houses. The typical mortgage indicator is $2,167 per month, equal to 26.3% of household income, while rent is $285 per week and rent-to-income is 15.0%. Ownership is relatively strong, with 42.1% owning outright and 44.3% paying a mortgage, compared with just 10.9% renting. The average household has 3.0 people, 0.5 above the national average, which helps explain demand for larger homes. Buyers should budget for car travel and compare block size, renovation needs and commuting costs than relying on dwelling size alone.
For Investors
The rental profile is modest but potentially supported by employment linked to public administration, healthcare, construction and education. Only 10.9% of households rent, while the weekly rent indicator is $285 and vacancy is 4.3%, suggesting a less pressured market than locations with extremely tight vacancy. The 71st household-income percentile is above the midpoint, and mortgage stress is not flagged at 26.3% of income, which may support owner-occupier demand more than a large investor pool. Development activity reached 24 applications over 12 months, including sheds and dwelling alterations, so small-scale improvement is more evident than a clear apartment pipeline. Balanced migration and annual growth of 1.66% provide a steadier comparison than a high-growth speculative market.
Development Activity
Total DAs
111
Last 12 Months
25
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+66.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Nowra Hill has a median age of 37, three years below the national comparison, but its age profile is not strongly youth-led: the young share fell by 0.9 percentage points while the senior share rose by 2.1 points. University attainment is 8.4%, which is 21.7 percentage points below the national figure, and overseas-born residents account for 12.7%, 8.9 points below national levels. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts are 547, 149 and 137 respectively, alongside 855 people recorded under Ancestry NS. Christianity is the largest stated religion at 703 people, followed by no religion at 534. The 3.0-person average household is 0.5 above national average, consistent with 46.4% of families being couples with children and 15.2% being one-parent families.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
99.2%
Houses
0.0%
Townhouse
0.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Nowra Hill is overwhelmingly a detached-house market: separate houses account for 99.2% of dwellings, compared with 0.8% apartments. Four or more bedrooms make up 69.6%, while three-bedroom homes account for 22.0%, so the housing stock is considerably larger than a compact, apartment-led format. Tenure is weighted toward ownership, with 42.1% owned outright and 44.3% mortgaged, while 10.9% is rented and 2.7% falls into other tenure categories. Mortgage costs are $2,167 per month and represent 26.3% of income, lower than a severe stress threshold, while rent is $285 weekly and 15.0% of income. Compared with smaller-dwelling markets, the 4.3% vacancy rate and large-house mix point to family demand and car-oriented land use.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $285.
$600
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $610 · units $470
HH Size
3.0
Personal Income / wk
$838
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.3%
Unoccupied
17
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
15.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.3%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
46.4%
Couples with children
39.9%
Couples, no children
15.2%
Single parent
336
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public administration is the leading industry at 30.7%, or 136 workers, followed by healthcare at 14.0% and 62 workers, construction at 10.8% and 48, education at 7.4% and 33, and other services at 6.3% and 28. Trades are the largest occupation group with 173 people, ahead of managers at 124 and professionals at 101, giving the suburb a practical and public-sector employment base. The labour force is 769, with an unemployment rate of 2.9%, a participation rate of 39.3% and a full-time employment rate of 65.6%. Household income ranks at the 71st percentile, above the midpoint, but education attainment is low at 8.4%. That contrast helps explain why SEIFA deciles are 2 for IEO, 3 for IER, 2 for IRSD and 2 for IRSAD: income is stronger than the broader education and disadvantage indicators.
Unemployment
2.9%
Labour Force
769
Unemployed
22
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.6%
Part-time
28.5%
Participation
39.3%
Employed
747
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
8.4%
Postgraduate
2.1%
Born Overseas
12.7%
Dwellings
365
Transport to Work
Nowra Hill's 33.99 square kilometre footprint and density of 63 people per square kilometre create a spacious setting, but they also make private transport important. Car driving accounts for 71.3% of residents, much higher than the 12.1% who walk or cycle, while 10.5% work from home. Families should check school options across the wider Nowra area and confirm enrolment zones against the exact address. Volunteering is recorded at 12.5%, and 5.8% of residents report needing assistance, or 74 people, which points to some community support needs. The IRSAD decile is 2, below the middle deciles, so access to services and household resources may vary more than the suburb's detached housing appearance suggests. A current street-level safety check is sensible because no comparable crime rate is stated.
Drive
71.3%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
12.1%
Work from Home
10.5%
Growth Outlook
Growth across Nowra Hill and the wider area is steady rather than rapid, with a forecast annual trend of 1.66% and a Balanced migration driver. The wider-area population change measure is 24.7% over ten years, while the trajectory is Mixed because affordability has worsened from 45.2 in 2011 to 50.5 in 2021. Rent growth of 65.0% is higher than real income growth of 20.3%, creating pressure for renters and first-home buyers even though the weekly rent indicator is $285. The forecast gentrification score is 36 at the Early signs stage, while the shift assessment records a score of 71 at an Advanced stage. Together, these signals point to gradual change, rising costs and selective upgrades rather than a sudden redevelopment cycle.
Population trend: Shoalhaven council area
Nowra Hill sits in the Shoalhaven council area. These are the council area's residents, not Nowra Hill's.
Residents 2025
111,755
Growth, 5 yr average
+0.8%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+0.7%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Nowra Hill compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nowra Hill a good suburb to live in?
Nowra Hill can suit households wanting space, with 99.2% separate houses, 69.6% four-plus-bedroom homes and a 3.0-person average household. Car dependence is high at 71.3%, so lifestyle fit is stronger for residents comfortable travelling to services and employment across the wider Nowra area.
What is the median house price in Nowra Hill?
A reliable median house price is not stated for Nowra Hill. Buyers can use the $2,167 monthly mortgage indicator and compare current listings by land size, bedroom count and condition, noting that 69.6% of homes have four or more bedrooms and 99.2% are separate houses.
What schools are in Nowra Hill?
School choice for a Nowra Hill address should be checked across the wider Nowra area, with enrolment zones confirmed against the exact property. Travel planning matters because 71.3% of residents drive, while only 12.1% walk or cycle, and local school access may depend on the address.
Is Nowra Hill safe?
A suburb-specific crime rate is not stated, so prospective residents should review current NSW Police information and inspect the exact street at different times. The suburb has 2,141 residents across 33.99 square kilometres, making street conditions and distance from services important parts of a practical safety assessment.
Is Nowra Hill good for property investment?
Nowra Hill may suit a steady, family-oriented investment strategy rather than a high-yield growth bet. Rent is $285 per week, vacancy is 4.3%, renting is 10.9% and 24 development applications were recorded over 12 months. Annual growth is forecast at 1.66%, with Balanced migration.
How is Nowra Hill's population changing?
The current population is 2,141, while the wider-area population change measure is 24.7% over ten years. Annual growth is forecast at 1.66% with Balanced migration. The young share has fallen by 0.9 percentage points and the senior share has risen by 2.1 points, indicating gradual ageing within mixed growth.
What development is happening in Nowra Hill?
There were 24 development applications over the past 12 months, with examples including sheds and dwelling alterations. This points to incremental property improvement rather than a clearly established large-scale housing pipeline, so buyers should check council approvals for the immediate street and surrounding lots.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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