Sussex Inlet

NSW 2540 • Rest of NSW

3,888
Population (2021)
$25,688
Median Income
36.36 km²
Area
$310/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetiree-HavenRiversideQuietPeaceful

About Sussex Inlet

Sussex Inlet is a quiet coastal township located on the southern shores of St Georges Basin on the New South Wales South Coast, approximately 200 kilometres south of Sydney and 35 kilometres east of Nowra within the Shoalhaven City Council area. With a population of around 3,888 residents and a median age of 61, it is predominantly a retirement and lifestyle community, attracting those seeking a relaxed pace of life far from urban centres. The suburb's generous 36 square kilometre footprint includes estuary foreshore, rural residential lots, and bushland fringing.

The town is centred around the inlet itself, offering fishing, boating, kayaking, and birdwatching in a peaceful natural setting, with several parks and a small commercial strip catering to everyday needs. Local infrastructure includes a general store, pub, medical services, and a primary school, though residents rely on Nowra or Ulladulla for major retail and services. There is no rail service, making a private vehicle essential; the area appeals strongly to retirees, holiday home owners, and those seeking a genuine escape from city life.

Sussex Inlet falls under postcode 2540 and is governed by Shoalhaven Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the South Coast electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
2540
Urban Area
Shoalhaven
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.15°, 150.56°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
36.36 km²
Elevation
22m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink Coach — Nowra (Bomaderry) 45-60 min
  • Limited local services — Vincentia / St Georges Basin 15-25 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
200 km
By Train
No direct train service; coach to Bomaderry then train to Sydney (~2.5 hr total)
By Car (Peak)
2.5-3 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
2-2.5 hr

🛣️ Accessible via Princes Highway and Jervis Bay Road; a private vehicle is essential

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

The small local strip covers basic needs but most errands and all major shopping require driving

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🔍 Crime Statistics

NSW crime data is provided by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Use the interactive tool below to explore recorded crime incidents in Sussex Inlet by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Sussex Inlet Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Sussex Inlet" under Suburb

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$310
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,511
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
61 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1%

6 state housing + 11 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,575
Census 2021
3,888
8.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$23,452
Income 2021
$25,688
9.5% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,034
Born Overseas 499

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 194
  • 2. New Zealand 45
  • 3. Scotland 31
  • 4. Germany 22
  • 5. Malta 20
  • 6. Netherlands 18
  • 7. China 12
  • 8. Croatia 8
  • 9. India 8
  • 10. Italy 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,749
Australian 1,542
Irish 433
Scottish 415
Australian Aboriginal 152
German 151
Italian 70
Dutch 52
Maltese 40
Polish 35

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,525
Both parents born in Australia
619
Both parents born overseas
424
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
54.9%
No Religion
34.7%
Buddhism
0.5%
Hinduism
0.4%
Islam
0.3%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
132 (3.4%)
5-14 years
263 (6.8%)
15-19 years
149 (3.8%)
20-24 years
111 (2.9%)
25-34 years
260 (6.7%)
35-44 years
258 (6.6%)
45-54 years
356 (9.2%)
55-64 years
687 (17.7%)
65-74 years
873 (22.5%)
75-84 years
557 (14.3%)
85+ years
234 (6.0%)

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