Suburb in Shoalhaven

Nowra, NSW

Nowra had a population of 9,956 at the 2021 Census (+8.3% since 2016). Median age 40.9. Median weekly household income $1,035. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

Nowra at a glance

What the 2021 Census says, compared with New South Wales.

In Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Nowra's population grew by 8.3% to 9,956, in step with New South Wales as a whole (+7.9%). With a median age of 40.9, it is older than the NSW average (38.4). Children under 10 make up 12.2% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 17.7%.

47.0% of households rent, a larger share than the NSW average of 33.1%. 29.0% own their home outright. Almost every home is a house; flats and apartments are 4.9% of homes. The 2021 Census counted 3,843 households.

The median household earns $1,035 a week, below the NSW average of $1,829. Renters pay a median $300 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $1,446 a month.

15.1% of residents were born overseas, fewer than the NSW average of 31.0%. 8.5% use a language other than English at home. 44.8% report no religion, higher than the NSW average (35.7%).

Key figures

2021 Census, Nowra beside NSW and Australia.

MeasureNowraNSWAustralia
Population9,9568,072,17125,422,828
Growth since 2016+8.3%+7.9%+8.6%
Median age40.938.438.2
Households3,8432,900,4569,275,123
Flats and apartments4.9%21.8%14.3%
Renting47.0%33.1%31.1%
Owned outright29.0%32.0%31.4%
Median household income a week$1,035$1,829$1,747
Median rent a week$300$423$376
Median mortgage repayment a month$1,446$2,142$1,866
Born overseas15.1%31.0%29.3%
Other language at home8.5%28.2%23.6%
No religion44.8%35.7%41.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Population and age

Each census since 2011, and the age profile in 2021.

Population

+8.3% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 9,1492011
  2. 9,1932016
  3. 9,9562021

Age

Median age 40.9, against 38.4 for New South Wales.

Nowra New South Wales
Share of people by age, Nowra and New South Wales
0–912.2%
10–1912.0%
20–2912.5%
30–3912.2%
40–4910.4%
50–5911.4%
60–6911.5%
70–7910.1%
80+7.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Cultural background

The largest groups in Nowra at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. Australian43.4%
  2. English42.1%
  3. Australian Aboriginal12.6%
  4. Irish11.8%
  5. Scottish9.3%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. Nepali0.6%
  2. Thai0.5%
  3. Tagalog0.5%
  4. Punjabi0.4%
  5. Mandarin0.4%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. England3.6%
  2. India1.5%
  3. the Philippines1.0%
  4. New Zealand1.0%
  5. China0.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Around Nowra

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Explore Nowra in Censible

Every census figure for Nowra, mapped and compared with any other place. A free account takes a minute.