Median house price
$1.17M
+7.1% change
NSW · Shellharbour Council
Shell Cove, 2529
Est. population · Jun 2025
8,037
Growth (1 yr)
+2.2%
Growth (5 yr)
+9.7%
Median age
40
Median income
$2,452/wk
Employment rate
62.7%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,173,000
Languages at home
12.3%non-English
Most common: Macedonian, Arabic, Spanish
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- High desirability
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
Suburb profile
Shell Cove is a coastal mid-sized suburb a long way from Sydney, where beach life and a quieter rhythm set the tone. Neighbouring centres cover more of the weekly rhythm than the distant capital does. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with a strong presence of young families throughout.
Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Everyday errands are walkable, and buses keep the wider city within easy reach. Housing is expensive relative to much of the state.
A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
Desirability rates good overall, led by community and employment, plus schools and education, while safety land closer to the middle of the pack for similar coastal suburbs.
At a glance
Shell Cove snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$760/wk
Houses $800 · Units $650
Population (ERP)
8,037
+2.2% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.2%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#18
among Coastal & beach · Established
Safety
55th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
90th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
76th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 59.2/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 15% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1105th in Australia
- State rank
- 320th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #18 among Coastal & beach · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #35 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $650
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $800
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $760
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 190
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,173,000
- Median price change
- +7.1%
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent and sales tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · January to March 2026; October to December 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
8,037(June 2025)
+2.2% annual · +9.7% over 5 years · 90th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +2.2%
- 5-year growth
- +9.7%
- Change in 1 year
- +176
- Change in 5 years
- +711
- Growth rank in NSW
- 90th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~9,250), extrapolated at +2.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 7,591
- Median age
- 40
- Median household income / week
- $2,452
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 133 of 2,582
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,386
- Employment rate
- 62.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 2,140 / 201 / 102
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 594
- Against the person
- 103
- Against property
- 222
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 73.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 74 residents
- State safety percentile
- 55.1th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +0.6%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions667
- Fraud135
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment161
- Steal From Motor Vehicle128
- Steal From Retail Store211
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Rolling 12-month windows
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 1,074
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 76th
School list
- Illawarra Environmental Education CentreCombined · Government · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
- Shell Cove Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1049 · 68th percentile · LBOTE 20% · 463 students · Top SEA quarter 25% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- Shellharbour Anglican CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1099 · 84th percentile · LBOTE 13% · 981 students · Top SEA quarter 42% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Early Learning on Bribiekindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
56 public transport stops in this suburb
- Cove Bvd Before Brindabella Dr
- Shellharbour Rd Before Cove Bvd
- Southern Cross Bvd After Banks Dr
- Southern Cross Bvd At Mornington Ct
- Southern Cross Bvd Before Monkhouse Pde
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
166 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
4 restaurants · 2 cafes · 2 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 1 bakeries · 1 places of worship · 6 playgrounds · 1 ev charging
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 21 parks mapped in suburb, 6 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 56 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 84/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.26
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.92
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 2.77
Food & drink(7)
- BreadrocksBakery
- Leaf Cafe & Co Shell CoveCafe
- Naturally TastyCafe
- Georgia RoseRestaurant
- The Salty SquidRestaurant
- Waterfront TavernRestaurant
9 Marina Drive, Shell Cove
- Waterview Japanese RestaurantRestaurant
Shopping(3)
- The Source Bulk FoodsSupermarket
- WoolworthsSupermarket
Community(3)
- Early Learning on BribieKindergarten
- Illawarra Environmental Education CentreSchool
- Shell Cove Public SchoolSchool
Shell Cove
Health & services(3)
- Shell Cove Family HealthClinic
- Choice PharmacyPharmacy
101 Cove Boulevard
- Shell Cove Vet ClinicVeterinary
Sport & outdoors(18)
- Anchorage ParkPark
- Brindabella WetlandsPark
- Condons ParkPark
- Harbour View ParkPark
- Hartog ParkPark
- James Cook ParkPark
- McKinnery ParkPark
- Park
- Seafarers ReservePark
- Seascape ParkPark
- Torres ParkPark
- Playground (6)
- Sports field
Entertainment(2)
- Viewpoint (2)
Transport(13)
13 bus stops
Other(25)
- BWSAlcohol
- Bench (26)
- Bicycle Parking (2)
- Drinking water
- ChargefoxEV charging
- Fish Cleaning
- Garden (16)
- Shell Cove Community GardenGarden
- Mancave BarbershopHairdresser
Unit 6 100 Cove Boulevard, Shell Cove
- Bliss Ice Cream & GelatoIce Cream
- Kiosk
- Amazon Hub LockerParcel Locker
- Australia Post Parcel LockerParcel Locker
- Early Learning on BribieParking
- Parking (26)
- Shell Cove Family HealthParking
- Parking Entrance (2)
- Parking Space (6)
- Picnic Table
- South Coast City ChurchPlace of worship
- Public toilets
- Shelter (15)
- Slipway
- Trolley Bay (4)
- Waste Basket (5)
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
20 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Anchorage ParkPark
- Bass Point ReservePark
- Brindabella WetlandsPark
- Condons ParkPark
- Endeavour ParkPark
- Harbour View ParkPark
- Hartog ParkPark
- James Cook ParkPark
- Mainsail ParkPark
- McKinnery ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 38
- Parks (OSM)
- 21
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- South Coast City Church
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 2
- Nearest hospital
- Shellharbour Private Hospital (4.8 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Choice PharmacyCove BoulevardPharmacy
- Shell Cove Family HealthClinic
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 179
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 22.3
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 321 mm · ~40 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 359 mm · ~45 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 263 mm · ~33 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 242 mm · ~30 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal.
2026· 39 proposals
August 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure23 NAUTICA CRESCENT SHELL COVE 2529Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool31 NAUTICA CRESCENT SHELL COVE 2529Under Assessment
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure31 NAUTICA CRESCENT SHELL COVE 2529Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure35 PITT AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool27 PITT AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Additional Information Requested
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation/Tourist Premise1 GOLF DRIVE SHELL COVE 2529Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool60 SEAFARING WAY SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool10 TROON AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 SEASIDE AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool33 NAUTICA CRESCENT SHELL COVE 2529Determined
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Swimming pool4 APOLLO DRIVE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport4 GALLEON AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Subdivision; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure76 THE PROMONTORY DRIVE SHELL COVE 2529Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool24 SEABOARD WAY SHELL COVE 2529Determined
April 2026
- Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure90 BRIGANTINE DRIVE SHELL COVE 2529Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 WHIMBREL TERRACE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Swimming pool19 THURSDAY AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure23 OCEANFRONT DRIVE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool1 LORD HOWE AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureLot 7114, 47 Seafaring Way SHELL COVE NSW 2529Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool60 SEAFARING WAY SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation50 PITT AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Additional Information Requested
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Minor building alterations (external)42 SOUTHERN CROSS BOULEVARD SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation4 SNELL AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure23 OCEANFRONT DRIVE SHELL COVE 2529Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool22 SEABOARD WAY SHELL COVE 2529Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation6 PITT AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 OCEANFRONT DRIVE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure17 NAUTICA CRESCENT SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure23 OCEANFRONT DRIVE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 NAUTICA CRESCENT SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation27 NAUTICA CRESCENT SHELL COVE 2529Determined
January 2026
- Home business; Home occupation; Hours of operation and trading20 TROON AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure; Residential AccommodationCOVE BOULEVARD SHELL COVE 2529Under Assessment
- Signage; Advertising and signage1 KILLALEA DRIVE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)27 THE PROMONTORY DRIVE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Minor building alterations (external); Swimming pool9 MAINSAIL AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool49 SEAFARING WAY SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation27 PITT AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
2025· 9 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure29 PITT AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool22 PITT AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure37 PITT AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure39 PITT AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure25 NAUTICA CRESCENT SHELL COVE 2529Determined
November 2025
- Signage; Advertising and signage1 KILLALEA DRIVE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Subdivision20 Quayside Avenue, Shell CoveDetermined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation6 PITT AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool7 NAUTICA CRESCENT SHELL COVE 2529Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- Check signage. Follow directions on site. Reduce your speed. Construction of Road crossings & Shared pathCove Boulevard18 Jun 2026 – 23 Oct 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Heritage
1 heritage place
- Bass Point ReserveBoollwarroo Parade, Shell CoveSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Whitlam
- Member of Parliament
- Carol BERRY (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 130,093
- Turnout (2025)
- 93.2%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- -2.1 pp toward Coalition
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 43.8%Labor 56.3%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 5.8 km away).
Coalition 44.3%Labor 55.7%
0.6 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -1.1 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- Shell CoveLabor 53.5% · Coalition 46.5% TPP (2025)1.1 km away
- Flinders CentralLabor 60.4% · Coalition 39.6% TPP (2025)2.6 km away
- ShellharbourLabor 54.9% · Coalition 45.1% TPP (2025)3.0 km away
- BlackbuttLabor 62.2% · Coalition 37.8% TPP (2025)4.4 km away
- Warilla SouthLabor 58.8% · Coalition 41.2% TPP (2025)4.5 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Shellharbour Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.