NSW · Shellharbour Council
Shell Cove, 2529
Current weather
13.5°CClear sky
66% humidity · 5.2 km/h wind · 20.2° / 9° today · 2.1 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
Suburb profile
Shell Cove is a coastal mid-sized suburb where beach life and relaxed outdoor living shape the local character. Coastal living here comes with genuine distance from the capital, a self-contained pace with the sea at its heart. Sea breezes and coastal air are part of everyday life, especially on warmer evenings.
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. Buses and nearby services make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward.
Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by parks and green space and housing affordability, while safety and local dining and lifestyle amenities sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar coastal suburbs.
Population
- 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)
- 142 / 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 · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
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 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 tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 616
- Against the person
- 107
- Against property
- 230
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 81.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 71 residents
- State safety percentile
- 57.3th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +0.6%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
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 · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,049
- Shell Cove Public SchoolPrimary
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 · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
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 · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
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 · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
445 planning-related records
2026· 31 proposals
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 SEASIDE AVENUE SHELL COVE 2529Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool33 NAUTICA CRESCENT SHELL COVE 2529Under Assessment
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 2529Under Assessment
- 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 2529Additional Information Requested
- 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 · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
88 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- BWSAlcohol
- BreadrocksBakery
- Bench (26)
- Bicycle Parking (2)
- Cove Bvd at Whitsunday DrBus stop
- Cove Bvd before Brindabella DrBus stop
- Cove Bvd opp Brindabella DrBus stop
- Cove Bvd opp Whitsunday DrBus stop
- Harbour Bvd after Aquatic DrBus stop
- Harbour bvd before Aquatic DrBus stop
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
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 · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 2
- Emergency department
- 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 · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
1 state heritage place
- Bass Point ReserveBoollwarroo Parade, Shell CoveSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
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 · Period: current · Updated on site
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 · Period: current · Updated on site
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 features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 63.3/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 10% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 561st in Australia
- State rank
- 209th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #16 among Coastal & beach · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #30 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Amazon Hub Lockeramenitiesparcel_locker
- Australia Post Parcel Lockeramenitiesparcel_locker
- BWSamenitiesalcohol
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
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.