Shell Cove
NSW 2529 · Shellharbour
7,591 (2021) → 8,213 est. (2025) · High Growth
Part of the Shellharbour local government area (est. 83,053 residents)
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Shell Cove is a high growth suburb in Shellharbour, NSW 2529, about 87km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $1.46M is more expensive than the NSW average. The suburb has 2 schools, a transport score of 52/100, and is right by the coast. Shell Cove has an overall score of 54/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 73/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2529 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (4.08%), North Macedonia (1.36%), South Africa (0.88%), New Zealand (0.83%), Italy (0.61%)
Top languages: Macedon (2.81%), Arabic (1.05%), Spanish (0.78%), Italian (0.61%), Serbian (0.61%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: NSW Valuer General · Updated Q1 2026
Residential Safety
Recorded residential incidents (latest year), with rate per 100,000 residents:
Includes street and public-place assaults — supplementary context, not part of the safety score.
Residential incidents over time
Sum of the five residential categories above — not all recorded crime.
Area crime context
An independent score — crime data quality varies by state, so safety is shown separately and is not part of the overall score.
Source: BOCSAR · Updated March 2026
Schools
Strong school options
Well above average — good-quality schools within reach and a healthy range of options to choose from.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 986 (below the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Shell Cove Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1049
- Illawarra Environmental Education CentreCombined · Government
Nearby (within 10km)
- Shellharbour Anglican CollegeCombined · Independent · 1.8kmICSEA 1099
- Stella Maris Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 2.1kmICSEA 1050
- Shellharbour Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.3kmICSEA 999
- Flinders Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.4kmICSEA 1004
- Amity College Illawarra CampusCombined · Independent · 2.9km
- Minnamurra Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3.1kmICSEA 1068
- Warilla High SchoolSecondary · Government · 3.9kmICSEA 968
- Nazareth Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 4.4kmICSEA 1052
- Warilla Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 4.8kmICSEA 937
- Aspect South Coast School, Barrack HeightsPrimary · Independent · 4.8km
- Barrack Heights Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 4.9kmICSEA 873
- Peterborough SchoolCombined · Government · 4.9kmICSEA 938
Source: ACARA MySchool · Updated 2025
Transport
Source: TfNSW GTFS
Employment & Economy
Top local industries
Source: DEWR SALM / ABS Census 2021 · Updated SALM Mar 2026 / 2021 Census
Liveability
Amenities within 2–3km
Counted within a short distance of the suburb centre (so nearby facilities count), with the in-boundary count shown beneath.
In this suburb
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap · Healthdirect NHSD (via Geoscience Australia)
Fitness
Limited facilities
Below average — fewer fitness options nearby, so you may need to travel to a gym or pool.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Limited outdoor options
Below average — fewer parks and green spaces close by.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
Limited cultural access
Below average — fewer cultural venues nearby.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Culture Score is a national percentile weighting theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and arts centres most heavily.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Entertainment Scene
Quiet area
Pretty light on licensed venues. Good for peace and quiet; less so for spontaneous nights out.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: Liquor & Gaming NSW · Updated June 2024
Childcare
Limited options
Below average for childcare access — fewer services nearby, and families may need to travel further for preferred options.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register · Updated July 2026
Places of Worship
Mapped places of worship within 3km of the suburb centre, grouped by religion where recorded. Community mapping may not capture every congregation.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Population & Growth
High GrowthSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Shellharbour
Compare Shell Cove with another suburb
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Frequently asked questions about Shell Cove
Is Shell Cove safe?
Shell Cove has a residential safety score of 73/100, based on residential crime (break-ins, theft from dwellings, vehicle theft, domestic assault and robbery) per resident relative to the NSW median. Its total recorded incident rate is 2,872 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Shell Cove?
In Shell Cove, the median house price is $1.46M and the median unit price is $1.25M. Median weekly house rent is $800.
How far is Shell Cove from Sydney CBD?
Shell Cove is about 86.6 km from Sydney CBD, an estimated 226 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Shell Cove?
Shell Cove has 2 schools, with an average ICSEA of 1049 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Shell Cove?
Shell Cove has a transport score of 52/100 and 29 bus stops.