South Nowra
Rent grew 65% over the decade in South Nowra yet the median house price sits at $660,000, well below the NSW average, a gap that signals demand outrunning supply without fully repricing. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 2 places South Nowra in the lowest advantage tier nationally, yet household income sits at the 63.3rd percentile because the local economy is anchored by healthcare (26.1% of workers) and public administration (19.6%). Median age of 33 is 7 years below the national figure, shaping a young, mortgage-belt suburb where 41.2% of dwellings are owner-occupied with a loan.
Population
3,165
Median Age
33.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,789/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
91
Median House
$660K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price of $660,000 is down from $750,000 in 2024 to $645,000 in 2025, a 14% correction that has improved entry affordability. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000 and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.8% stays below the 30% stress threshold, lower than many NSW coastal markets. Stock is 89.3% separate houses with apartments at just 0.7%, so buyers compete directly for detached homes. Four-plus bedroom homes account for 58.7% of dwellings, consistent with the family-oriented, young-median-age profile of the suburb.
For Buyers
The median house price of $660,000 is down from $750,000 in 2024 to $645,000 in 2025, a 14% correction that has improved entry affordability. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000 and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.8% stays below the 30% stress threshold, lower than many NSW coastal markets. Stock is 89.3% separate houses with apartments at just 0.7%, so buyers compete directly for detached homes. Four-plus bedroom homes account for 58.7% of dwellings, consistent with the family-oriented, young-median-age profile of the suburb.
For Investors
A 35.7% renter share and $398 weekly rent give landlords a solid tenant pool, though the 4.2% vacancy rate is slightly above the healthy 2-3% range. Net internal migration of 96 per year and overseas migration of 78 per year provide balanced demand support. Development activity at 82 applications in 12 months includes subdivisions and dwelling additions, pointing to ongoing estate evolution. Rent growth of 65% over the decade outpaced real income growth of 20.3%, improving yields from a low base. Annual population growth of 1.66% is above average for an established suburb, supporting long-run demand at the current $660,000 price point.
Development Activity
Total DAs
445
Last 12 Months
91
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+40.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
With a median age of 33, South Nowra sits 7 years below the national figure, one of the younger profiles in the Shoalhaven region. Overseas-born residents make up 16.7%, which is 4.9 points below national, reflecting a predominantly locally-born population with English (1,199), Irish (282) and Scottish (256) leading ancestry. Non-English languages are spoken by a small share, with Malayalam (32), Nepali (17) and Punjabi (16) the most common, consistent with a modest healthcare-sector migrant cohort. University qualifications at 22.5% are 7.6 points below national, aligned with a workforce in community services and public administration. Average household size of 2.8 is 0.3 above national, reflecting 1,312 couples-with-children families out of 2,543 total.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
89.3%
Houses
9.7%
Townhouse
0.7%
Apartment
Tenure
The stock is 89.3% separate houses, with semi-detached at 9.7% and apartments at just 0.7%, a far more detached-dominant profile than the NSW state average. Four-plus bedroom homes make up 58.7% and three-bedroom homes 28.6%, so small-format housing is rare. Tenure splits into 41.2% mortgaged, 35.7% renting and 23% owning outright. The median price fell 14% from $750,000 in 2024 to $645,000 in 2025. Both rent-to-income at 22.2% and mortgage-to-income at 25.8% remain below the 30% stress threshold, meaning housing costs are more manageable here than in most NSW markets despite the IRSAD decile 2 ranking.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wk
$398
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$830
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.2%
Unoccupied
47
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
22.5%
Couples, no children
2,543
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates at 26.1% of workers (268 people) and Public Administration follows at 19.6% (201), meaning nearly half the local workforce depends on government or health services, giving employment more stability than market-dependent suburbs. Construction (8.4%), Retail (8.3%) and Education (7.6%) round out the top five. The unemployment rate of 4.3% sits modestly above the national low, and the participation rate of 60.7% is below average because 703 residents are not in the labour force. The IRSAD decile of 2 places South Nowra in the lowest nationally, yet household income at the 63.3rd percentile exceeds the midpoint because public sector roles pay stable above-minimum wages.
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
65.1%
Part-time
30.6%
Participation
60.7%
Employed
1,387
Occupations
Top Industries
University
22.5%
Postgraduate
5.2%
Born Overseas
16.7%
Dwellings
1,058
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 92.2% of residents driving to work, with only 0.3% using public transport, reflecting the lower-density outer-suburb layout. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families draw on neighbouring Nowra schools. The IRSAD decile of 2 places South Nowra in the lowest advantage tier nationally, relevant for service access and infrastructure quality. Housing costs stay manageable: rent-to-income at 22.2% and mortgage-to-income at 25.8% both stay below the 30% threshold. About 7.5% of residents (223 people) need daily assistance, and volunteering sits at 11.9%, slightly below the national average.
Drive
92.2%
Public Transport
0.3%
Walk / Cycle
1.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.66%/yr
(+393 people/yr)
EstablishedSouth Nowra's population grew 24.7% over the past decade, well above average for an established suburb, driven by balanced migration: net internal flow of plus 96 per year and overseas migration of plus 78. Annual growth is forecast at 1.66%, adding roughly 393 people a year, with medium scenarios reaching around 26,466 by 2031 at the broader area level. The gentrification stage reads early signs with a score of 36, supported by population up 26% since 2011. Affordability has worsened from 45.2% in 2011 to 50.5% in 2021, showing that price growth has outpaced income gains, and rent growth of 65% has compounded that squeeze.
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 South Nowra compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Nowra a good suburb to live in?
South Nowra offers entry-level affordability, with a $660,000 median house price and mortgage-to-income of 25.8%, below the 30% stress threshold. The suburb scores IRSAD decile 2, the lowest advantage tier nationally, meaning service access is more limited. Its young median age of 33, family-scale housing and stable public sector employment suit buyers prioritising affordability over high-amenity location.
What is the median house price in South Nowra?
The median house price is $660,000 (2024-2025, PSI derived), down from $750,000 in 2024 to $645,000 in 2025, a 14% correction. Weekly rent averages $398 and monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.8%, below the 30% stress benchmark.
What schools are in South Nowra?
No schools are recorded within the South Nowra suburb boundary in this dataset. Families access schools in neighbouring Nowra. The suburb has a university qualification rate of 22.5%, which is 7.6 points below the national average, reflecting a workforce concentrated in trades, community services and public administration.
Is South Nowra safe?
Crime statistics are not available at the suburb level for South Nowra in this dataset. As context, the suburb scores IRSAD decile 2 nationally, the lower advantage tier, which is associated with higher rates of property and personal crime in comparable areas. Buyers should consult NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics for current local data before deciding.
Is South Nowra good for property investment?
South Nowra has a 35.7% renter share and $398 weekly rent, with balanced migration adding 174 people per year (96 internal plus 78 overseas). The 4.2% vacancy rate is slightly above the healthy 2-3% range. Rent grew 65% over the decade and annual population growth of 1.66% is above average for an established suburb, supporting long-run rental demand.
How is South Nowra's population changing?
The suburb is part of a broader Nowra area that grew 24.7% over the past decade. Annual growth is forecast at 1.66%, adding about 393 people per year. Migration is balanced, with net internal flow of 96 per year and overseas migration of 78 per year. The gentrification score of 36 signals early-stage demographic change, with population up 26% since 2011.
How much development is happening in South Nowra?
82 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, covering dwelling alterations, swimming pools and subdivisions. This active level of activity indicates ongoing estate infill and renovation, consistent with a suburb at the early gentrification stage whose population grew 26% since 2011.
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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