NSW · Central Coast (NSW) Council
Shelly Beach, 2261
Current weather
16.1°CClear sky
58% humidity · 14.3 km/h wind · 21.8° / 13.6° today · 4.3 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Coastal
- National parks
- High desirability
- Green suburb
Suburb profile
Life in Shelly Beach revolves around the coast, with the feel of a smaller community that never strays far from the water. The beach sets the tone, while nearby towns and coastal pockets add variety without a long journey. Sea breezes and coastal air are part of everyday life, especially on warmer evenings.
Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Public transport is a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers.
Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and parks and green space against similar coastal suburbs, even with housing affordability and community and employment holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 1,313
- Median age
- 47
- Median household income / week
- $1,646
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 47 of 543
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,200
- Employment rate
- 53.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 32 / 60 / 0
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)
- $520
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $680
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $620
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 368
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)
- 91
- Against the person
- 28
- Against property
- 35
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 69.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 47 residents
- State safety percentile
- 48.1th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -13.1%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order247
- Breach Bail Conditions456
- Domestic Violence Related Assault295
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment446
- Malicious Damage To Property380
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
- 1,057
- Our Lady of the Rosary 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
23 public transport stops in this suburb
- Grandview St After Shelly Beach Rd
- Shelly Beach Rd Opp Lindsay St
- TLSC The Entrance Campus, Central Coast Hwy
- TLSC The Entrance Campus, Yakalla St
- Yakalla St Before Grandview St
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).
90 planning-related records
2026· 9 proposals
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool101 GRANDVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool108 OAKS AVENUE SHELLY BEACH 2261Under Assessment
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation136 GRANDVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Under Assessment
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool23 PHILLIP STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure23 PHILLIP STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
March 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation130 GRANDVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation34A GRANDVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation100 GRANDVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation54 BELLEVUE STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
2025· 16 proposals
December 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development5 PHILLIP STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
October 2025
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)19 GRANDVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation136 GRANDVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external); Supporting Development90 SHELLY BEACH ROAD SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure58 LIDDELL STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure110 OAKS AVENUE SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space37 WATERVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Withdrawn
August 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation70 BELLEVUE STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure112A GRANDVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space37 WATERVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
June 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure58 SHELLY BEACH ROAD SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
April 2025
- Demolition125 GRANDVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
- Demolition37 WATERVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Fences; Swimming pool5 PHILLIP STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
February 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (attached)136 GRANDVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation34A GRANDVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
2024· 12 proposals
December 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure30 PHILLIP STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure76 BELLEVUE STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
November 2024
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)19 GRANDVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
October 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Registered club; Recreation facility (outdoor)86 BONNIEVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
September 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool49 BELLEVUE STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool8 PHILLIP STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure85 MCLACHLAN AVENUE SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
July 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Automotive/truck premises; Service station50 SHELLY BEACH ROAD SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)125 GRANDVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
January 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure110 GRANDVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure112A GRANDVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Caravan park2 BATEAU BAY ROAD SHELLY BEACH 2261Withdrawn
2023· 3 proposals
December 2023
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure19 PHILLIP STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
November 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure14A GRANDVIEW STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
October 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure52 BELLEVUE STREET SHELLY BEACH 2261Determined
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
25 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Grandview St after Shelly Beach RdBus stop
- Grandview St at Earl StBus stop
- Grandview St at Shelly Beach RdBus stop
- Grandview St opp Earl StBus stop
- Our Lady of The Rosary Primary School, Shelly Beach RdBus stop
- Shelly Beach Dr opp Mayfair StBus stop
- Shelly Beach Rd after Bellevue StBus stop
- Shelly Beach Rd at Lord StBus stop
- Shelly Beach Rd opp Lindsay StBus stop
- TLSC The Entrance Campus, Central Coast HwyBus 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
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Earl Street ReservePark
- Peter Clifford ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 9/10
- 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
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)
- 2
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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
- 45.5/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 38% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2540th in Australia
- State rank
- 802nd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #34 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #85 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 78%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Bateau Bay Baptist Churchamenities8 Yakalla Streetplace_of_worship
- Drinking wateramenitiesdrinking_water
- Grandview St after Shelly Beach Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Grandview St at Earl Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Grandview St at Shelly Beach Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Grandview St opp Earl Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Munchasamenitiescafe
- Our Lady of The Rosary Primary School, Shelly Beach Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Picnic Tableamenitiespicnic_table
- Picnic Tableamenitiespicnic_table
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Central Coast (NSW) Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.