NSW · Shoalhaven Council
Nowra, NSW, 2541
Desirability index
78.8/100
How this score is calculated#95 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Suburb snapshot
Nowra is a mid-sized suburb in the Shoalhaven area, home to around 9,956 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show reported crime totals of around 4,614 offences in Jan 2025 to Dec 2025, roughly 463.4 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $530 (flats $401, houses $550), 8 school and preschool sites in the area, strong public transport coverage with many public transport stops, a higher concentration of local shops, services, and recreation amenities, 1 active roadworks or transport incidents on nearby routes, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb and hospitals or GP clinics within the suburb.
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
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.
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)
- 4,614
- Against the person
- 1,268
- Against property
- 1,696
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 463.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 8 residents
- State safety percentile
- 23.7th (lower crime is better)
- Year-on-year change
- -0.2%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions633
- Domestic Violence Related Assault305
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment444
- Malicious Damage To Property449
- Steal From Retail Store420
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
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
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
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· 36 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
2024· 46 proposals
46 proposals lodged in 2024. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2023· 53 proposals
53 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2022· 62 proposals
62 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2021· 98 proposals
98 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2020· 2 proposals
2 proposals lodged in 2020. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020; 2020–2026; 2021… · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
85 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).
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 78.8/100
- Cohort rank
- #95 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Bridge Rd Opp Shoalhaven Counciltransport
- Bridge St Op Hyam Sttransport
- Kinghorne St At Junction Sttransport
- Nowra Bus Terminal, Stewart Pltransport
- Nowra Bus Terminal, Stewart Pltransport
- Nowra East Public School Preschoolchildcarekindergarten
- Graham LodgeheritagePleasant Way, NowraSHR
- Meroogalheritage35 West Street NowraSHR
- Bay Audiohealthaudiologist
- Blooms The Chemisthealthpharmacy
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Updated on site
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Updated on site
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Updated on site
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Similar suburbs
Suburbs with a comparable population profile, socio-economic decile, and location.