Shellharbour
NSW 2529 · Shellharbour
3,520 (2021) → 3,808 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.
Shellharbour is a high growth suburb in Shellharbour, NSW 2529, about 84km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $1.40M is more expensive than the NSW average. The suburb has 3 schools, a transport score of 63/100, and is right by the coast. Shellharbour has an overall score of 63/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 53/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2529 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (4.52%), North Macedonia (1.25%), New Zealand (1.19%), Italy (0.65%), Malta (0.51%)
Top languages: Macedon (2.1%), Spanish (0.88%), Greek (0.57%), Italian (0.54%), Portuguese (0.51%)
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 969 (below the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Stella Maris Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · CatholicICSEA 1050
- Shellharbour Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 999
- Amity College Illawarra CampusCombined · Independent
Nearby (within 10km)
- Flinders Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.4kmICSEA 1004
- Warilla High SchoolSecondary · Government · 1.4kmICSEA 968
- Shell Cove Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.1kmICSEA 1049
- Warilla Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.4kmICSEA 937
- Shellharbour Anglican CollegeCombined · Independent · 2.4kmICSEA 1099
- Peterborough SchoolCombined · Government · 2.5kmICSEA 938
- Aspect South Coast School, Barrack HeightsPrimary · Independent · 2.5km
- Barrack Heights Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.6kmICSEA 873
- Nazareth Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 2.7kmICSEA 1052
- Illawarra Environmental Education CentreCombined · Government · 2.8km
- Mount Warrigal Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3.1kmICSEA 885
- Oak Flats High SchoolSecondary · Government · 3.3kmICSEA 932
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
Plenty of options
Well above average — a good spread of gyms and sports facilities within easy reach.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Great outdoor access
Well above average — plenty of parkland and outdoor recreation within easy reach.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
Some cultural venues
Around the national average — a handful of cultural venues, with more on offer a short trip away.
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
A few good options
A handful of local venues to choose from — nothing epic, but you're not driving far either.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: Liquor & Gaming NSW · Updated June 2024
Childcare
Strong options nearby
Well above average for childcare services — good choice and quality, with most families finding a place without a long drive.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register · Updated July 2026
Aged Care
Government-subsidised aged care services located in this suburb. Star Ratings are the official ratings for residential aged care homes.
Source: Dept of Health, Disability and Ageing · Updated May 2026 Star Ratings
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 Shellharbour with another suburb
Compare two suburbs
Frequently asked questions about Shellharbour
Is Shellharbour safe?
Shellharbour has a residential safety score of 53/100, 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 7,926 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Shellharbour?
In Shellharbour, the median house price is $1.40M and the median unit price is $861K. Median weekly house rent is $800.
How far is Shellharbour from Sydney CBD?
Shellharbour is about 84.4 km from Sydney CBD, an estimated 220 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Shellharbour?
Shellharbour has 3 schools, with an average ICSEA of 1025 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Shellharbour?
Shellharbour has a transport score of 63/100 and 32 bus stops.