Nowra (NSW)

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In the suburb of Nowra, the population is estimated at approximately 10,393 as of May 2026, according to evaluations of ABS population updates for the wider region and new addresses validated by Districts since the Census. Compared to the 2021 Census, which recorded 9,956 people, this represents an addition of 437 people (4.4%). This demographic shift is calculated from a resident population of 10,286, which was estimated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP data release, combined with an additional 201 validated new addresses post-Census. With these figures, the suburb of Nowra has a density of 1,156 persons per square kilometer, a level that matches typical averages across sites analyzed by Districts. The 4.4% expansion rate in the suburb of Nowra since the 2021 census outpaced both the SA4 region (3.1%) and the SA3 area, positioning it as a local growth leader. The primary driver of this population growth was interstate migration, which accounted for roughly of the overall population rise during recent timeframes, though overseas migration and natural growth also registered positive gains.

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Nowra features a workforce with a balanced distribution of white and blue collar jobs, including a solid representation of essential service industries, alongside an unemployment rate of 10.9% derived from aggregated statistical area statistics. As of March 2026, working residents count 3,503, while the unemployment rate sits 6.8% higher than the 4.1% rate in Regional NSW, indicating potential for job market gains. Furthermore, the participation rate of 46.7% is notably lower than the 60.6% recorded across Regional NSW. Census data indicates that a modest 8.6% of working residents performed their jobs from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

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According to tax data from the ATO aggregated by Districts for financial year 2023, the income levels in Nowra are below the national average. Taxpayers in the suburb recorded a median income of $39,767 and an average income of $48,977, compared to Regional NSW benchmarks of $52,390 and $65,215. Applying a Wage Price Index growth rate of 10.32% since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of approximately $43,871 for median income and $54,031 for average income as of March 2026. According to Census records, household, family, and individual incomes in the area place between the 4th and 7th percentiles nationwide. In terms of distribution, 30.4% of the population (3,159 individuals) earn within the $800 - 1,499 range, contrasting with the wider region where the - range is most common at . Affordability constraints are significant, with only of income remaining after housing costs, placing the area in the th percentile.

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At the time of the latest Census, the residential mix in Nowra consisted of 81.4% standalone houses and 18.7% other property types like townhouses, flats, or alternative structures, compared to Regional NSW averages of 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Nowra stood at 29.4%, which is lower than the Regional NSW average, with the remaining residential properties split between those with a mortgage (22.9%) and rented properties (47.7%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,500 was significantly below the Regional NSW average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent of $300 was also lower than the regional figure of $330. Nationally, the mortgage payments in Nowra are well below the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also much lower than the national benchmark of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 60.6%, which includes couples with children at 18.8%, couples without children at 23.7%, and single parent families at 16.3%. Non-family households account for 39.4% of the total, consisting of single-person households at 35.4% and group households at 3.9%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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Educational outcomes in the area show areas for growth, with university completion rates at 15.4%, which is considerably lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This difference presents a potential opportunity for focused educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education credential at 10.3%, with postgraduate degrees at 3.2% and graduate diplomas at 1.9%. Vocational and technical training is common, with 41.1% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 9.0% and certificates at 32.1%.

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Public transit analysis shows 148 active transport stops in Nowra, including both bus and rail options. These stops are served by 61 unique routes, which provide 1,516 weekly passenger trips. Access to transit is highly rated, with residents living an average of 131 meters from the nearest stop. Because the area is mostly residential, many workers travel outside the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary commute mode at 90% and walking chosen by 6%. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.0 per dwelling, which is below the regional average. A relatively low 8.6% of residents work from home, based on the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

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Significant health concerns exist across Nowra, as shown by Districts' evaluation of mortality data and the occurrence of chronic illnesses, which impact both younger and older cohorts, alongside an exceptionally low rate of private health insurance, held by approximately 46% of the population (~4,820 people). This compares to 51.9% of residents in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

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Cultural diversity in Nowra is below the state average, with citizens representing 84.2% of the population, 84.9% born in Australia, and 91.5% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 50.6% of residents. The most noticeable deviation from regional patterns is in the Other category, which accounts for 0.9% of the population compared to 0.8% across Regional NSW.

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The median age in Nowra is 39 years, which is notably lower than the Regional NSW average of 43 and closely matches the Australian average of 38 years. Compared to Regional NSW, Nowra has a larger proportion of residents aged 25 - 34 (15.1%) but a smaller share of people aged 65 - 74 (9.9%). Since the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age bracket has risen from 13.6% to 15.1% of the population, and the 35 to 44 cohort grew from 10.4% to 11.9%. Meanwhile, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 11.1% to 10.0%. Looking forward to 2041, demographic forecasts suggest notable changes in the age profile, led by the to age bracket, which is expected to rise by ( people) to reach from .

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Nowra currently has an estimated 685 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 430 children aged 0-2 and 286 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 9% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 48% by 2041 (to approximately 1,016 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,060. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 12.6 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.