Median house price
$1.17M
+7.1% change
NSW · Shellharbour Council
Shellharbour, 2529
Est. population · Jun 2025
3,752
Growth (1 yr)
+2.2%
Growth (5 yr)
+9.6%
Median age
46
Median income
$1,596/wk
Employment rate
55.2%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,173,000
Languages at home
7.8%non-English
Most common: Macedonian, Spanish, Greek
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Shellharbour is a coastal mid-sized suburb a long way from Sydney, where beach life and a quieter rhythm set the tone. Day-to-day life leans on nearby towns and local hubs rather than the metro area. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with family life visible on every street.
For coastal suburbs, the café and dining scene is notably rich, with locals returning to favourite spots. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Most routine trips are on foot, while buses cover longer journeys across the metro area.
Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers. Light infill development is updating a few streets while the wider area stays largely unchanged.
Schools and education push the suburb to a good desirability read, even as safety look more ordinary among similar coastal suburbs.
At a glance
Shellharbour snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$760/wk
Houses $800 · Units $650
Population (ERP)
3,752
+2.2% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
7.6%
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
#9
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Safety
55th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
90th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
48th
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
- 61.0/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 13% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 918th in Australia
- State rank
- 261st in NSW
- Peer rank
- #9 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #31 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 93%
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
3,752(June 2025)
+2.2% annual · +9.6% over 5 years · 90th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +2.2%
- 5-year growth
- +9.6%
- Change in 1 year
- +82
- Change in 5 years
- +330
- 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 (~4,300), extrapolated at +2.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 3,520
- Median age
- 46
- Median household income / week
- $1,596
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 114 of 1,495
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 55.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 943 / 204 / 218 (+ 9 other)
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)
- 277
- Against the person
- 48
- Against property
- 104
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 73.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 73 residents
- State safety percentile
- 55th (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
- 4
- Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
- 1,001.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 48th
School list
- Shellharbour Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 999 · 46th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 368 students · Top SEA quarter 13% · 0.3 km awayView on My School →
- Stella Maris Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1050 · 68th percentile · LBOTE 1% · 405 students · Top SEA quarter 21% · 0.7 km awayView on My School →
- Flinders Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1004 · 49th percentile · LBOTE 18% · 518 students · Top SEA quarter 12% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Warilla High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 968 · 32th percentile · LBOTE 18% · 1,020 students · Top SEA quarter 7% · 1.4 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
Public transport
58 public transport stops in this suburb
- Kingdom Hall, Parklands Dr
- Ocean Beach Dr After Melia St
- Ocean Beach Dr After Parklands Dr
- Ocean Beach Dr At Evergreen Dr
- Shellharbour Rd Opp Woodlands Dr
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
182 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
3 restaurants · 8 cafes · 1 pubs · 1 pharmacies · 6 fast food · 1 libraries · 1 places of worship · 6 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Good local dining options — 18 food & drink venues nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 10 parks mapped in suburb, 6 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 58 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 12 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 75/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 2.27
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 5.11
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 2.84
Food & drink(18)
- Beach CombersCafe
- Bean RoastedCafe
Addison Street
- Green PoppyCafe
- Pacinos CafeCafe
- Shellharbour Country KitchenCafe
10 Addison Street
- The Sunken SpudCafe
2-4 Darley Street, Shellharbour
- Village FixCafe
- Whitehouse CafeCafe
- Acai BrosFast food
Addison Street
- Fast food
- Hooked Fish and ChipsFast food
5 Addison Street, Shellharbour
- Nourished Poke BowlsFast food
- Santorini By The SeaFast food
Unit 2 7 Addison Street, Shellharbour
- SubwayFast food
- Ocean Beach HotelPub
- AndamanRestaurant
- Harbour Thai RestaurantRestaurant
Unit 4 7 Addison Street, Shellharbour
- Relish on AddisonRestaurant
Shopping(5)
- Superior MeantsButcher
Addison Street
- 7-ElevenConvenience store
- Shellharbour Convenience StoreConvenience store
- The PantryConvenience store
Addison Street
Community(4)
- Shellharbour Branch LibraryLibrary
- Amity College, Illawarra CampusSchool
- Shellharbour Public SchoolSchool
Shellharbour
- Stella Maris Catholic Primary SchoolSchool
16 Wentworth Street, Shellharbour
Health & services(2)
- Shellharbour Village DentalDentist
Unit 2 9 Addison Street, Shellharbour
- Shellharbour Village PharmacyPharmacy
Unit 1 9 Addison Street
Sport & outdoors(22)
- Bardsley ParkPark
- Eric Cleary ParkPark
- Grey ParkPark
- Little ParkPark
- McNabb ParkPark
- Myimbarr Community ParkPark
- Ron Costello OvalPark
- Russell East ParkPark
- Shellharbour ReservePark
- Sophia ParkPark
- Playground (6)
- Sports centre
- Shellharbour Skate ParkSports field
- Sports field
- Tom Willoughby OvalSports field
- Beverley Whitfield Ocean PoolSwimming pool
19 Hockey Esplanade, Shellharbour
- Swimming pool
Entertainment(1)
- The Roo Theatre CompanyTheatre
Transport(27)
27 bus stops
Other(36)
- Bendigo BankATM
- Cowries BeachAttraction
- Bbq (4)
- Bench (13)
- Soft WashCar wash
- Shellharbour Beachside Holiday ParkCaravan Site
1 John Street, Shellharbour
- Harbour RoseClothes
- Drinking water
- Shellharbour Fire StationFire station
301 Wattle Road, Shellharbour
- Fish Cleaning
- Fitness Station
- Garden (3)
- Shellharbour Workers Club Visitors CentreInformation
- Visitor Information CentreInformation
- Laundry
- The Harbour LaundretteLaundry
- Shellharbour ClubLicensed Club
- Shellharbour Village Thai MassageMassage
- PRP Diagnostic Imaging ShellharbourMedical Imaging
- Ocean Beach HotelOutdoor Seating
- Parking (26)
- Shellharbour Surf Life Saving Club ParkingParking
- 7-ElevenPetrol station
- Petrol station
- Picnic Table (11)
- Shellharbour Community ChurchPlace of worship
- Shellharbour Post OfficePost office
28 Addison Street
- Amenities & Laundry BlockPublic toilets
- Public toilets
- Sanitary Dump Station
- Shelter (11)
- Shower (2)
- Slipway
- Telstra PayphoneTelephone
- Track (3)
- Waste Basket (4)
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
10 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bardsley ParkPark
- Eric Cleary ParkPark
- Grey ParkPark
- Little ParkPark
- McNabb ParkPark
- Myimbarr Community ParkPark
- Ron Costello OvalPark
- Russell East ParkPark
- Shellharbour ReservePark
- Sophia ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 10
- Parks (OSM)
- 10
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
- Shellharbour Community 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
- 3
- Nearest hospital
- Shellharbour Private Hospital (2.5 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- PRP Diagnostic Imaging ShellharbourMedical_Imaging
- Shellharbour Village DentalAddison StreetDentist
- Shellharbour Village PharmacyAddison StreetPharmacy
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)
- 84
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 22.4
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· 13 proposals
July 2026
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation31-33 ADDISON STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Under Assessment
- Pub; Hours of operation and trading11 MARINA DRIVE SHELL COVE 2529Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation1 5 REID STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Additional Information Requested
June 2026
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)4 EASTERN AVENUE SHELLHARBOUR 2529Additional Information Requested
- Attached dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 21 EASTERN AVENUE SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation facility (indoor); Hours of operation and trading25 ADDISON STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Under Assessment
May 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure19 OCEAN BEACH DRIVE SHELLHARBOUR 2529Under Assessment
April 2026
- Demolition; Subdivision; Dual occupancy (attached)12 WILLIAM STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure30 MARY STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure19 DARLEY STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Additional Information Requested
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)2 14 WOLLONGONG STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure37 DARLEY STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 WENTWORTH STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
2025· 28 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure17 OLD BASS POINT ROAD SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
- Temporary building, structure or use; Entertainment associated with existing premises; Temporary structure1 WOLLONGONG STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)31 TOWNS STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Dual occupancy (attached)12 BOOLLWARROO PARADE SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool8 GARDENERS CRESCENT SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
November 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation facility (major)WILLIAM STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
October 2025
- Demolition; Pub; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 WOLLONGONG STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
September 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Shipping containersWATTLE ROAD SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
August 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure10 SOPHIA STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
July 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Storage premisesWILLIAM STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure17 OLD BASS POINT ROAD SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
- Demolition; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure30 MARY STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool59 BOOLLWARROO PARADE SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool8 GARDENERS CRESCENT SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation67 ADDISON STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Withdrawn
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)WILLIAM STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
May 2025
- Pub; Hours of operation and trading11 MARINA DRIVE SHELL COVE 2529Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure6 WILSON STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure66 MARY STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
- Subdivision57 DARLEY STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure49 BOOLLWARROO PARADE SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
- Home business; Home occupation; Hours of operation and trading14 OCEAN BEACH DRIVE SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
April 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise1 LIDDELL STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 OCEAN BEACH DRIVE SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
February 2025
- Demolition; Shop top housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure5 ADDISON STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Withdrawn
January 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support20 PARKLANDS DRIVE SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
- Demolition; Pub; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 WOLLONGONG STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation33A WOLLONGONG STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
2024· 2 proposals
December 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation24 SOPHIA STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Determined
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 1B WOLLONGONG STREET SHELLHARBOUR 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)
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
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 3.0 km away).
Coalition 43.5%Labor 56.5%
0.3 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -4.3 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- ShellharbourLabor 54.9% · Coalition 45.1% TPP (2025)0.5 km away
- Flinders CentralLabor 60.4% · Coalition 39.6% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- Warilla SouthLabor 58.8% · Coalition 41.2% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- BlackbuttLabor 62.2% · Coalition 37.8% TPP (2025)2.1 km away
- Shell CoveLabor 53.5% · Coalition 46.5% TPP (2025)2.2 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)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
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.