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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Nowra Hill is $1.14m. House values have moved -0.3% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Nowra Hill has an estimated 2,134 residents. Density is about 63 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Nowra Hill has an estimated population of around 2,134, derived from AreaSearch address validation and ABS regional updates since the Census. When measured against the 2021 Census tally of 2,141 people, this represents a reduction of 7 people (0.3%). This trend is drawn from an estimated resident population of 2,129 calculated by AreaSearch using the June 2025 ABS ERP release alongside post-Census address validation. The suburb features a spacious density ratio of 62 persons per square kilometer. Interstate migration served as the leading catalyst for expansion, accounting for approximately 36.0% of recent population gains, with natural growth and overseas migration also contributing positively.
Projections for the suburb of Nowra Hill incorporate 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 data based in 2022, supplemented where necessary by 2022 NSW State Government SA2 figures based in 2021. For the years 2032 to 2041, age-specific growth rates from these combined series are applied. Aggregated SA2-level modelling indicates that the suburb of Nowra Hill is positioned within the highest quartile among regional areas in Australia for future growth, with an anticipated addition of 894 persons by 2041, equating to an overall rise of 41.7% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building activity in Nowra Hill remains subdued, averaging less than 1 new dwellings approved annually and recording minimal approvals over five years. Such restrained development levels align with the rural setting of the locality, where building activity is steered by distinct local housing requirements rather than broad market forces. Given the limited volume of approvals, individual projects can create notable fluctuations in annual growth and relativity statistics. Construction and planning volumes in Nowra Hill are noticeably lighter than in the Rest of NSW, with overall development rates also trailing national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Nowra Hill
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Nowra Hill, worth an estimated $10 million. A further 41 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $5.57 billion. 11 are already under construction and 10 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and retail. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Strategic planning schemes, major developments, and infrastructure works play a pivotal role in shaping local performance. AreaSearch has pinpointed 10 projects positioned to influence the locality, featuring major undertakings such as the South Nowra Surcharge Main Upgrade, Cabbage Tree Lane Urban Release Area, Evergreen Rise Estate, and South Nowra Retail Precinct.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Cabbage Tree Lane Urban Release Area
The Cabbage Tree Lane Urban Release Area is zoned for large lot rural residential subdivision in West Nowra, as part of the Nowra-Bomaderry growth strategy. It is expected to support approximately 2,180 dwellings. In June 2024, $10.35 million in funding was allocated for water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades to enable development in this area and Mundamia, supporting up to 2,000 new homes.
Evergreen Rise Estate
A residential development offering house and land packages and vacant lots (501m2 - 1,475m2) in South Nowra. Stage 2 is currently selling, with an estimated land registration (titling) date of January 2026. The estate is a 63-lot residential subdivision combining rural and urban living. Located close to shops, schools, and sports grounds, the development is being marketed with lots available for building dream homes.
South Nowra Retail Precinct
A retail development featuring five retailers, along with bathrooms and a staff kitchen, aimed at enhancing local commercial offerings.
Mundamia Urban Release Area
The Mundamia Urban Release Area is a residential development providing up to 720 dwellings with a mix of housing types, community facilities, and open spaces. Recent updates include funding for water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades to support development and prepare for increased demand.
New Primary School and Preschool at Nowra
New primary school and public preschool for South Nowra/Worrigee area to meet growing demand from residential development. Part of $8.9 billion NSW education infrastructure program.
Flinders Industrial Estate Expansion (Stage 10 - Norfolk Avenue)
Expansion of the Flinders Industrial Estate at South Nowra, funded by a $3 million NSW Government grant, to subdivide six hectares of land on Norfolk Avenue into eight fully serviced industrial lots. The construction work was completed by local companies, and the lots have been sold to businesses, including manufacturing and construction companies, to stimulate job creation and economic growth in the Shoalhaven region.
Nowra Business Park
Nowra Business Park is a landmark industrial development consisting of 68 architecturally designed industrial units ranging from 180m2 to 2000m2, suitable for local tradies, eCommerce operators, or logistics providers. Features include high-clearance roller doors, mezzanines, durable concrete tilt-up construction, allocated parking, easy truck maneuverability, and energy-efficient design. It is located in South Nowra with direct access to the Princes Highway.
Nowra Showground Enhancements - Horse and Cattle Precinct
Upgrading facilities at the Nowra Showground's Horse and Cattle Precinct to support growing agricultural events, expand cattle exhibitions, attract other breeds and livestock, and improve disabled access for inclusive tourism.
727 residents of Nowra Hill are employed, from a labour force of 744. Unemployment sits at 2.3%, with participation at 38.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 4,359, about 2.0 times the resident population, so the area draws in more workers than it sends out. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Statistical analysis by AreaSearch indicates that Nowra Hill possesses a qualified local labour pool with strong representation across essential industries and an unemployment rate of 2.3%. As of March 2026, employed residents total 727, keeping the jobless rate 1.8% under the 4.1% seen across Regional NSW, even though the local participation rate of 38.1% sits substantially below the regional benchmark of 60.6%. Census figures showed that only 10.0% of workers operated from home, a proportion that may have been influenced by Covid-19 restrictions. Local residents are primarily engaged across public administration & safety, construction, and health care & social assistance.
Public administration & safety represents a distinctive local strength, capturing an employment share 4.2 times that of the broader region. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for 9.3% of the resident workforce, trailing the Regional NSW proportion of 16.9%. Recording 2.4 workers for every resident at the Census, the locality serves as a substantial regional employment node that accommodates more positions than living residents and draws commuter traffic from nearby districts. During the 12 months to March 2026, AreaSearch evaluation of broader ABS and SALM metrics revealed a 0.1% rise in the labour force alongside a 1.1% dip in total jobs, causing the unemployment rate to climb by 1.2 percentage points. Over the same timeframe across Regional NSW, employment decreased by 0.9%, the workforce diminished by 0.4%, and unemployment ticked up by 0.5 percentage points. Broader labour demand patterns are informed by Mar-26 national projections from Jobs and Skills Australia, which forecast Australian job numbers to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years across differing sectors. Weighting these projections against the industry structure of Nowra Hill indicates potential local employment gains of 5.5% over five years and 11.7% over ten years, noting that this baseline extrapolation does not incorporate local demographic forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Nowra Hill is $1,902 a week (about $99,000 a year), with median personal income at $838 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $60,154 a year against an average of $74,084. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Tax statistics compiled by AreaSearch from ATO records for financial year 2023 place earnings in the suburb of Nowra Hill above the nationwide benchmark. Taxpayers in the suburb of Nowra Hill recorded a median income of $60,154 and an average income of $74,084, exceeding the respective Regional NSW figures of $52,390 and $65,215. Incorporating a 10.32% Wage Price Index increase since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of approximately $66,362 for median income and $81,729 for average income as of March 2026. Census results position personal, family, and household earnings around the 58th percentile across the country.
The largest income tier encompasses 35.9% of residents (766 people) earning in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, mirroring regional patterns where 29.9% occupy that bracket. Furthermore, residents retain 86.5% of their income for non-housing expenditure.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Nowra Hill had 376 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 99% detached houses and 1% apartments. 46% are owned with a mortgage, 9% rented and 45% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $285 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,167 a month. Rent absorbs 15.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the residential landscape of Nowra Hill is overwhelmingly detached, with houses accounting for 99.2% of stock and other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings) representing 0.8%, compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings in Regional NSW. Outright home ownership stands at 45.0%, significantly outpacing Regional NSW, while 46.4% of homes carry a mortgage and 8.5% are rented. Monthly mortgage commitments average a median of $2,167, eclipsing the Regional NSW median of $1,733 and the national figure of $1,863. In contrast, weekly rental costs are comparatively modest, with a median of $285 against $330 in Regional NSW and $375 across Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Nowra Hill counted 376 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 3.0 people each. 41% are couples with children, more than in 81% of areas nationally, against 31% couples without children. 15% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local living arrangements at 82.7%, consisting of couples with children at 40.7%, couples without children at 31.0%, and single parent families at 10.8%. Non-family dwellings account for 17.3% of the total, divided between lone person households at 15.3% and group households at 2.1%. The typical household accommodates a median of 3.0 people, exceeding the 2.4 recorded across Regional NSW.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
17.5% of adults in Nowra Hill hold a university qualification, including 11.6% with a bachelor degree and 3.8% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 44.2% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 149 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 932 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Tertiary attainment presents a distinct profile in the area, as university qualifications stand at 17.5%, well beneath the NSW mark of 32.2%, highlighting potential avenues for targeted educational development. Higher education completions comprise bachelor degrees at 11.6%, postgraduate qualifications at 3.8%, and graduate diplomas at 2.1%. Conversely, technical and vocational training is strongly represented, with 56.5% of people aged 15+ possessing vocational credentials, including certificates (44.2%) and advanced diplomas (12.3%). Student engagement is prominent across the locality, where 52.8% of the populace attends an educational institution. This learning cohort is distributed across secondary education at 20.4%, primary education at 15.5%, and tertiary education at 6.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Nowra Hill reaches 33 stops on 19 routes, timetabled for about 170 services a week. The typical home sits about 330 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 2.4 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Transit infrastructure in Nowra Hill includes 33 operational public transport stops served by bus services across 19 individual routes, generating 172 weekly passenger trips. Local transit connectivity is rated as good, with residents generally residing 330 meters from their closest stop. Commuters mostly travel outbound, with private vehicles dominating journeys at 85%, alongside 10% walking and 3% cycling. Households maintain an average of 2.4 vehicles per dwelling, which exceeds regional norms, while a modest 10.0% worked from home according to the 2021 Census (a metric potentially affected by COVID-19 conditions).
Network timetables provide an average of 24 trips per day across the collective route network, representing approximately 5 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
68.6% of residents in Nowra Hill report no long-term health condition. 3.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 56.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
An evaluation of mortality data and chronic illness by AreaSearch identifies notable health considerations in Nowra Hill, where common medical conditions affect both younger and older age brackets. Concurrently, private health insurance coverage is elevated, held by approximately 56% of residents (~1,199 people), surpassing the 51.9% proportion observed throughout Regional NSW. Among diagnosed ailments, mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent, reported by 9.5 and 8.6% of community members, while 68.6% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, higher than the 63.3% recorded in Regional NSW. Overall health among working-age individuals tracks close to standard levels.
Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 10.3% of the local population (219 people), well below the 23.3% regional share, and enjoy above-average wellness metrics that rank higher nationally than the local population overall.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Nowra Hill is largely Australian-born, at 87.3% of residents, with 4.3% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (33.8%) and English (29.5%). 4.1% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics for Nowra Hill remain comparatively low, with Australian citizens making up 58.5% of the community, 87.3% of residents born in Australia, and 95.7% using English exclusively in domestic settings. Christianity represents the leading religious affiliation, accounting for 56.6% of the population in Nowra Hill compared with 55.9% across Regional NSW. Regarding ancestral origins, the primary backgrounds reported in Nowra Hill are Australian (33.8%), English (29.5%), and Irish (8.0%). Specific cultural backgrounds also display unique local variations compared to regional rates, including Hungarian at 0.4% (vs 0.2% regionally), New Zealand at 0.9% (vs 0.4%), and Maltese at 0.7% (vs 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Nowra Hill is 36. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 38.7% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The demographic structure of Nowra Hill tilts young and largely pre-family. Updated figures to August 2026 indicate that young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) comprise 38.6% of the community compared to 23.5% in Regional NSW, whereas seniors and retirees (65+) constitute 10.3% against a 23.3% regional benchmark. The median age is estimated at 36, declining from 37 at the 2021 Census and sitting 7 years below the Regional NSW median of 43 from that Census. Since the Census, the share of young to middle aged adults expanded from 35.8% to an estimated 38.6%.
Looking toward 2041, this 25 - 44 cohort is projected to capture the bulk of population gains, increasing by 426 residents (52%) to total 1,250.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Nowra Hill
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 2 months ago all 1 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,141 at the 2021 Census → 2,134 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL13040). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.