NSW · Shellharbour Council
Shellharbour, 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
Suburb profile
Shellharbour is a coastal mid-sized suburb where beach life and relaxed outdoor living shape the local character. The coast is the anchor, with regional towns nearby for markets, dining and weekend exploring. Salt air and open horizons give the suburb a relaxed, outdoor feel year-round.
Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with family life visible on every street. There are enough cafés and casual dining options to keep weekends interesting. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls.
Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible. Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by housing affordability and parks and green space, while safety sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar coastal suburbs.
Population
- 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)
- 92 / 204 / 218
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)
- 286
- Against the person
- 50
- Against property
- 107
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 81.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 70 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
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 1,050
- Nazareth Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary
- Shellharbour Public SchoolPrimary
- Stella Maris Catholic Primary 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
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 · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
189 planning-related records
2026· 10 proposals
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 2529Additional Information Requested
- 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 2529Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Demolition; Subdivision; Dual occupancy (attached)12 WILLIAM STREET SHELLHARBOUR 2529Under Assessment
- 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 2529Under Assessment
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 · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
117 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bendigo BankATM
- Bbq (4)
- Bench (13)
- Addison St at Mary StBus stop
- Addison St at Wentworth StBus stop
- Addison St before Mary StBus stop
- Addison St opp Pioneer ParkBus stop
- Amity College, Shellharbour RdBus stop
- Kingdom Hall, Parklands DrBus stop
- Kingdom Hall, Wattle RdBus 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
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 · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 3
- Emergency department
- 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 · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
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
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 · Period: current · Updated on site
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 features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 63.8/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 10% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 514th in Australia
- State rank
- 195th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #8 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #29 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 82%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Acai BrosamenitiesAddison Streetfast_food
- Addison St at Mary Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Addison St at Wentworth Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Addison St before Mary Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Addison St opp Pioneer Parkamenitiesbus_stop
- Amity College, Shellharbour Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Andamanamenitiesrestaurant
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
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.