Nowra Hill
An unusually male-skewed population (70% male) and a $1,382,500 median house price in a low-density rural setting make Nowra Hill one of the more distinctive suburbs in the Shoalhaven region. Despite household incomes at the 71st percentile nationally, the suburb scores decile 2 on IRSAD and IRSD, placing it among the lowest-advantage areas in Australia. That gap reflects low university attainment at 8.4%, which is 21.7 points below the national average, and an employment base concentrated in Public Admin (30.7%) and Healthcare (14%). The population has grown 26% since 2011, signalling rising demand in a suburb that remains almost entirely detached houses across 34 km2.
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
21
Median House
$1.4M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
Buyers in Nowra Hill are acquiring large detached homes: 99.2% of dwellings are separate houses and 69.6% have 4 or more bedrooms, a profile that suits families looking for space rather than density. The median house price of $1,382,500 is elevated relative to the local income base, though the mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.3% stays below the 30% stress threshold. Prices have eased from a 2024 peak of $1,535,000 to $1,301,250 in 2025, a 15.2% decline that gives buyers more room than was available a year ago. Only 45.5% of dwellings are mortgaged, compared to 43.3% owned outright, which is higher than the national average for outright ownership and suggests long-term, settled residents rather than a high-churn buyer market.
For Buyers
Buyers in Nowra Hill are acquiring large detached homes: 99.2% of dwellings are separate houses and 69.6% have 4 or more bedrooms, a profile that suits families looking for space rather than density. The median house price of $1,382,500 is elevated relative to the local income base, though the mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.3% stays below the 30% stress threshold. Prices have eased from a 2024 peak of $1,535,000 to $1,301,250 in 2025, a 15.2% decline that gives buyers more room than was available a year ago. Only 45.5% of dwellings are mortgaged, compared to 43.3% owned outright, which is higher than the national average for outright ownership and suggests long-term, settled residents rather than a high-churn buyer market.
For Investors
With only 11.2% of dwellings rented, Nowra Hill is a homeowner suburb rather than a rental market, limiting the tenant pool available to investors. Weekly rent of $285 is low in absolute terms, and against the $1,382,500 median house price the implied gross yield is under 1.1%. The vacancy rate of 4.3% is above a tight market threshold, meaning the modest rental demand is not fully absorbed. On the positive side, net internal migration averages 96 people per year and overseas migration adds 78, giving a balanced inflow that supports long-term demand. Twenty development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, mostly residential, consistent with an area absorbing population growth rather than stagnating.
Development Activity
Total DAs
104
Last 12 Months
21
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+31.2%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The 70% male share is the most striking demographic feature in Nowra Hill and sits well above the national near-50/50 split, likely reflecting defence and public sector workforce accommodation in the Shoalhaven area. The median age of 37 is 3.0 years below the national figure, pointing to a younger working-age population. Overseas-born residents account for 12.7%, which is 8.9 points below national, and ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic: English (547), Irish (149) and Scottish (137) are the top reported ancestries. University qualifications at 8.4% are 21.7 points below the national average, consistent with trade and public sector occupational profiles. Average household size of 3.0 is 0.5 above the national figure, reflecting the prevalence of families with children, who make up 37.4% of all families.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
99.2%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
0.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Nowra Hill's housing stock is almost entirely detached houses at 99.2%, with apartments accounting for the remaining 0.8%. The 4-plus bedroom category dominates at 69.6% of dwellings, well above typical suburban norms, suggesting the suburb caters to large families or lifestyle properties on generous land. Tenure is split between outright owners (43.3%) and mortgagees (45.5%), with renters at just 11.2%, lower than most comparable NSW suburbs. Prices fell 15.2% from $1,535,000 in 2024 to $1,301,250 in 2025, reversing gains made during the regional property run-up. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, and at 26.3% of income, mortgage stress is not yet a concern for the median household sitting at the 71st income percentile nationally.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$285
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
27.5%
Couples, no children
1,017
Total families
Economy & Employment
Public Administration dominates the local employment base at 30.7% of workers (136 residents), far above the national share, which reflects proximity to defence facilities and government services in the broader Shoalhaven area. Healthcare is the second-largest sector at 14% (62 workers), followed by Construction at 10.8% (48) and Education at 7.4% (33). By occupation, Managers (124) outnumber Professionals (101), with Community and Personal Service workers (91) the third-largest group. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, below the national benchmark, but the participation rate of 37.0% is low, because 1,123 residents are not in the labour force, many of them likely retirees or dependants in the large household units. SEIFA decile 2 on IEO and IRSD signals below-average educational and economic resources compared to the national distribution.
Unemployment
5.6%
Labour Force
10,221
Unemployed
575
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
69.7%
Part-time
27.3%
Participation
37.0%
Employed
703
Occupations
Top Industries
University
8.4%
Postgraduate
2.1%
Born Overseas
12.7%
Dwellings
365
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 79.6% driving to work, but 13.5% walk or cycle, unusually high for a low-density rural suburb of 63 residents per km2, pointing to localised employment or school trips on foot. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families depend on schools in neighbouring Nowra and surrounding areas. Crime data is not available for Nowra Hill in this dataset, though the IRSD decile 2 score indicates below-average socioeconomic resources compared to the national median. The rent-to-income ratio of 15.0% is comfortable for the 11.2% of residents who rent, and volunteering at 12.5% reflects some community engagement. Only 5.8% of residents (74 people) need daily assistance, a low rate for the age and income profile.
Drive
79.6%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
13.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.66%/yr
(+393 people/yr)
EstablishedNowra Hill has added 26% to its population since 2011, well above typical established-suburb baselines, and is currently growing at 1.66% annually, adding roughly 393 people per year to the surrounding area. Net internal migration averages 96 arrivals per year and overseas migration contributes 78, a balanced dual-source inflow that reduces reliance on any single driver. The gentrification score of 36 indicates early signs of transition: real incomes grew 20.3% over the decade, the working-age share held steady with a 0.1-point gain, and the senior share rose 2.1 points. Affordability has worsened, with housing costs rising from 45.2% to 50.5% of income between 2011 and 2021, signalling that demand has outpaced income growth. Medium forecasts project continued population expansion through 2031.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+78
Net Internal / yr
+96
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +26% since 2011, Net internal migration +96/yr, Accelerating: 10% → 15%
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 offers large detached homes (99.2% of stock) on generous land across 34 km2, with a median age of 37 and household incomes at the 71st percentile nationally. The trade-off is limited local services and a decile 2 SEIFA score, placing it below the national median for socioeconomic advantage. It suits families and defence-linked workers rather than those seeking walkable urban amenity.
What is the median house price in Nowra Hill?
The median house price is $1,382,500 based on recent PSI data. Prices peaked at $1,535,000 in 2024 and eased to $1,301,250 in 2025, a 15.2% decline. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, representing 26.3% of household income, below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Nowra Hill?
No schools are recorded inside the Nowra Hill suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Nowra and surrounding Shoalhaven suburbs. University qualifications locally are 8.4%, which is 21.7 points below the national average, reflecting the trade and public sector employment base.
Is Nowra Hill safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Nowra Hill in this dataset. As a proxy, the suburb scores decile 2 on IRSD, below the national median for relative disadvantage, which warrants consideration. The area's low renter share of 11.2% and high outright ownership of 43.3% are consistent with a settled, stable resident base.
Is Nowra Hill good for property investment?
The investment case is modest. Weekly rent of $285 against a $1,382,500 median implies a gross yield under 1.1%, and the vacancy rate of 4.3% shows demand is not tight. The 15.2% price fall from 2024 to 2025 adds near-term risk. Longer-term support comes from 26% population growth since 2011 and net internal migration of 96 people per year.
How is Nowra Hill's population changing?
The population has grown 26% since 2011 and is currently expanding at 1.66% per year, adding around 393 people annually to the area. Net internal migration averages 96 arrivals per year and overseas migration contributes 78, giving a balanced inflow. Medium forecasts project continued growth through 2031.
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 Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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