South Nowra
With 58.7% of dwellings containing four or more bedrooms and a median age of 33, South Nowra has a relatively young, detached-home profile in the Nowra area. Household income sits at the 63.3rd percentile, while 84.0% drive to work, pointing to a car-oriented mortgage-belt suburb. The population is 3,165 across 8.62 square kilometres, or 367.0 people per square kilometre. Compared with nearby Nowra and Bomaderry, its larger-home format is a notable local distinction, although overseas-born residents account for 16.7%, or 4.9 percentage points below the national comparison.
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
128
South Nowra suits buyers prioritising space over apartment living: 89.3% of homes are separate houses, 58.7% have four or more bedrooms and only 0.7% are apartments. The $2,000 monthly mortgage figure represents 25.8% of household income, while $398 weekly rent represents 22.2%. Ownership is split between 22.7% outright and 40.6% with a mortgage, so the suburb has a substantial active-buyer base. Compared with apartment-oriented markets, South Nowra is more family-sized and house-led, but its 84.0% car-driver share means commute costs should be tested before purchasing.
For Buyers
South Nowra suits buyers prioritising space over apartment living: 89.3% of homes are separate houses, 58.7% have four or more bedrooms and only 0.7% are apartments. The $2,000 monthly mortgage figure represents 25.8% of household income, while $398 weekly rent represents 22.2%. Ownership is split between 22.7% outright and 40.6% with a mortgage, so the suburb has a substantial active-buyer base. Compared with apartment-oriented markets, South Nowra is more family-sized and house-led, but its 84.0% car-driver share means commute costs should be tested before purchasing.
For Investors
Rental demand has a mixed but workable profile. Renting accounts for 35.2% of households, with a weekly rent of $398 and a 4.2% vacancy rate, so pricing needs to be conservative rather than based on scarcity alone. Development activity reached 125 applications in 12 months, including a 2-dwelling dual occupancy and a 1-dwelling house application, which can add competing supply. The 1.66% annual growth trend and Balanced migration driver support a steady case because demand is not reliant on one migration source. Renting at 35.2% is higher than outright ownership at 22.7%, confirming a meaningful tenant base.
Development Activity
Total DAs
493
Last 12 Months
128
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+128.6%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
South Nowra's median age of 33 is 7 years below the national comparison, while its average household size of 2.8 is 0.3 higher than the national figure. Families are prominent: couples with children represent 47.5% of families and one-parent families account for 17.1%. English ancestry is the largest named ancestry at 1,199 people, followed by Irish at 282 and Scottish at 256. Christianity counts 1,465 residents, while 1,278 report no religion and 116 Hinduism. Overseas-born residents make up 16.7%, 4.9 points below the national comparison, and the university qualification share is 22.5%, 7.6 points below. Compared with central Nowra, this points to a younger, family-oriented and Anglo-leaning population.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
89.3%
Houses
9.7%
Townhouse
0.7%
Apartment
Tenure
South Nowra's housing is built around larger detached dwellings. Four or more bedrooms account for 58.7% of homes, compared with 28.6% for three-bedroom stock, while separate houses make up 89.3% and semi-detached homes 9.7%. Tenure is weighted toward current borrowers: 40.6% have a mortgage versus 22.7% who own outright, and 35.2% rent. The monthly mortgage figure is $2,000 and weekly rent is $398; their income shares are 25.8% and 22.2%. A 4.2% vacancy rate provides some rental choice, but 65.0% rent growth has coincided with worsening affordability. Compared with central Nowra, the pattern is more house-led and family-sized.
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $398.
$550
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $570 · units $390
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
47.5%
Couples with children
33.9%
Couples, no children
17.1%
Single parent
840
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment is anchored by healthcare at 26.1% and 268 workers, and public administration at 19.6% and 201 workers, followed by construction at 8.4% and education at 7.6%. Occupations are similarly practical: professionals number 260, trades 257 and community or personal service workers 251. Labour-force participation is 65.0%, unemployment is 4.0% and full-time work is 60.6%, with 903 full-time and 484 part-time workers. Household income is $1,789 weekly, above the midpoint at the 63.3rd percentile. Yet IEO is decile 2, IER 3, IRSD 2 and IRSAD 2, all below higher-ranked areas. The contrast suggests employment is solid because essential services dominate, while broader socioeconomic advantage remains constrained.
Unemployment
4.0%
Labour Force
1,553
Unemployed
62
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.6%
Part-time
32.5%
Participation
65.0%
Employed
1,491
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
22.5%
Postgraduate
5.2%
Born Overseas
16.7%
Dwellings
1,058
Transport to Work
Daily life is strongly car dependent: 84.0% travel as car drivers, compared with 0.2% using public transport, 1.6% walking or cycling and 9.0% working from home. This suits households with private vehicles because most routine trips require road access, but it reduces convenience for non-drivers. South Nowra's IRSAD and IRSD scores are both in decile 2, below higher-ranked areas, and 7.5% of residents need assistance. Volunteering is 11.9%, while 68.5% stayed at the same address and 31.5% moved. Compared with town-centre locations, the suburb prioritises space and vehicle access over car-free convenience.
Drive
84.0%
Public Transport
0.2%
Walk / Cycle
1.6%
Work from Home
9.0%
Population Forecast
+1.66%/yr
(+393 people/yr)
EstablishedGrowth is positive but not uniform. The annual trend is 1.66%, population change across the wider area is 24.7% over 10 years, and the primary migration driver is Balanced, pointing to a mix of local and incoming demand rather than one dominant source. The trajectory is Mixed: affordability moved from 45.2 in 2011 to 50.5 in 2021 and is labelled Worsening, while rent growth reached 65.0%. Gentrification signals are also mixed, with an Advanced stage and score of 71 in the longer shift pattern, but Early signs and a score of 36 in the current growth measure. Compared with a sharply accelerating market, South Nowra looks established and steadily changing, with senior share up 2.1 points and young share down 0.9 points.
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?
It can suit households wanting larger detached homes and car access. South Nowra has a median age of 33, 89.3% separate houses and 84.0% car drivers. Compared with more walkable town-centre areas, it is better suited to residents who value space and private-vehicle convenience.
What is the median house price in South Nowra?
Use recent settled-sales evidence for the current median, since South Nowra's housing mix is 89.3% separate houses and 58.7% four-plus-bedroom homes. Compared with a suburb containing more apartments or smaller dwellings, its headline median can be influenced by the larger family-home format, so compare properties by bedrooms, land size and condition.
What schools are in South Nowra?
School access should be checked by exact address because enrolment zones can cross suburb boundaries. South Nowra's 84.0% car-driver share and 0.2% public transport share mean nearby options may involve driving. Compared with a transit-oriented area, families should allow more time to compare government, Catholic and independent choices across the broader Nowra area.
Is South Nowra safe?
Safety should be checked through current NSW Police or council information for the exact area. South Nowra has 3,165 residents and a 31.5% turnover rate, so conditions can vary between streets and over time. Compared with relying on a broad suburb label, recent local reports provide a more useful basis for judging personal safety and property security.
Is South Nowra good for property investment?
South Nowra has a plausible long-term investment case, but returns depend on purchase price and property type. Renting is 35.2%, weekly rent is $398 and vacancy is 4.2%; development activity reached 125 applications in 12 months. Compared with a tightly held rental market, the vacancy rate calls for conservative yield assumptions, while 1.66% annual growth supports a measured strategy.
How is South Nowra's population changing?
Population change across the wider area is 24.7% over 10 years, with an annual growth trend of 1.66% and a Balanced migration driver. The trajectory is Mixed: the young share fell 0.9 points while the senior share rose 2.1 points. Compared with a purely youthful growth pattern, this suggests gradual ageing alongside continued expansion.
Is South Nowra undergoing development?
Yes. There were 125 development applications in the past 12 months, including a 2-dwelling dual occupancy and a 1-dwelling house application. This is more active than a static established-suburb profile might suggest, although application volume does not guarantee completed supply. Buyers should check approval status and construction timing before assuming a change to local amenity.
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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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