North Nowra
NSW 2541 · Shoalhaven
5,856 (2021) → 6,020 est. (2025) · Moderate Growth
Part of the Shoalhaven local government area (est. 111,712 residents)
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
North Nowra is a moderate growth suburb in Shoalhaven, NSW 2541, about 124km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $757K is more affordable than the NSW average. The suburb has 3 schools, a transport score of 35/100, and is about 16km inland. North Nowra has an overall score of 45/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 71/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2541 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (4.7%), New Zealand (1.4%), India (1.02%), Philippines (0.77%), Germany (0.5%)
Top languages: Gujarati (0.56%), Mandarin (0.41%), Arabic (0.36%), Urdu (0.34%), Persian ED (0.32%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: NSW Valuer General · Updated Q1 2026
Residential Safety
Recorded residential incidents (latest year), with rate per 100,000 residents:
Includes street and public-place assaults — supplementary context, not part of the safety score.
Residential incidents over time
Sum of the five residential categories above — not all recorded crime.
Area crime context
An independent score — crime data quality varies by state, so safety is shown separately and is not part of the overall score.
Source: BOCSAR · Updated March 2026
Schools
Limited school choices
Below average for school access — fewer schools nearby, and families may need to travel for preferred options.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 955 (below the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Illaroo Road Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 992
- North Nowra Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 908
- Havenlee SchoolCombined · GovernmentICSEA 849
Nearby (within 10km)
- Shoalhaven River CollegeSecondary · Independent · 2.2kmICSEA 931
- Nowra Anglican CollegeCombined · Independent · 2.3kmICSEA 1094
- St Michael's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 2.7kmICSEA 994
- Novo Education Space ShoalhavenSecondary · Independent · 2.8km
- Bomaderry High SchoolSecondary · Government · 3kmICSEA 955
- Bomaderry Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3.3kmICSEA 908
- Nowra Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3.4kmICSEA 904
- Nowra High SchoolSecondary · Government · 3.6kmICSEA 944
- Nowra East Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 4.1kmICSEA 784
- Cambewarra Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 4.4kmICSEA 1029
- St John the Evangelist Catholic High SchoolSecondary · Catholic · 5.1kmICSEA 1028
- Terara Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 5.2kmICSEA 1009
Source: ACARA MySchool · Updated 2025
Transport
Source: TfNSW GTFS
Employment & Economy
Top local industries
Source: DEWR SALM / ABS Census 2021 · Updated SALM Mar 2026 / 2021 Census
Liveability
Amenities within 2–3km
Counted within a short distance of the suburb centre (so nearby facilities count), with the in-boundary count shown beneath.
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap · Healthdirect NHSD (via Geoscience Australia)
Fitness
Decent access
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of fitness facilities, with more variety a short drive away.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Limited outdoor options
Below average — fewer parks and green spaces close by.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
Some cultural venues
Around the national average — a handful of cultural venues, with more on offer a short trip away.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Culture Score is a national percentile weighting theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and arts centres most heavily.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Entertainment Scene
Quiet area
Pretty light on licensed venues. Good for peace and quiet; less so for spontaneous nights out.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: Liquor & Gaming NSW · Updated June 2024
Childcare
Childcare desert
Very limited childcare services in and around this suburb — families may face significant travel for childcare.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register · Updated July 2026
Aged Care
Government-subsidised aged care services located in this suburb. Star Ratings are the official ratings for residential aged care homes.
Source: Dept of Health, Disability and Ageing · Updated May 2026 Star Ratings
Places of Worship
Mapped places of worship within 3km of the suburb centre, grouped by religion where recorded. Community mapping may not capture every congregation.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Population & Growth
Moderate GrowthSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Shoalhaven
Compare North Nowra with another suburb
Compare two suburbs
Frequently asked questions about North Nowra
Is North Nowra safe?
North Nowra has a residential safety score of 71/100, based on residential crime (break-ins, theft from dwellings, vehicle theft, domestic assault and robbery) per resident relative to the NSW median. Its total recorded incident rate is 4,218 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in North Nowra?
In North Nowra, the median house price is $757K and the median unit price is $534K. Median weekly house rent is $550.
How far is North Nowra from Sydney CBD?
North Nowra is about 123.9 km from Sydney CBD.
What schools are in North Nowra?
North Nowra has 3 schools, with an average ICSEA of 916 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in North Nowra?
North Nowra has a transport score of 35/100.