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 $1.30M is around the same as 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
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 Q4 2025
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 2025
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 1041
- Shellharbour Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1014
- Amity College Illawarra CampusCombined · Independent
Nearby (within 10km)
- Flinders Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.4kmICSEA 1002
- Warilla High SchoolSecondary · Government · 1.4kmICSEA 970
- Shell Cove Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.1kmICSEA 1054
- Warilla Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.4kmICSEA 925
- Shellharbour Anglican CollegeCombined · Independent · 2.4kmICSEA 1103
- Willans Hill SchoolCombined · Government · 2.5kmICSEA 931
- Peterborough SchoolCombined · Government · 2.5kmICSEA 960
- Aspect South Coast School, Barrack HeightsPrimary · Independent · 2.5km
- Barrack Heights Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.6kmICSEA 870
- Nazareth Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 2.7kmICSEA 1042
- Illawarra Environmental Education CentreCombined · Government · 2.8km
- Mount Warrigal Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3.1kmICSEA 894
Source: ACARA 2023
Transport
Source: TfNSW GTFS
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.
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap
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
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
Population & Growth
High GrowthSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Shellharbour
Compare Shellharbour with another suburb
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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 8,551 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Shellharbour?
In Shellharbour, the median house price is $1.30M and the median unit price is $815K. Median weekly house rent is $800.
How far is Shellharbour from Sydney CBD?
Shellharbour is about 84.4 km from Sydney CBD.
What schools are in Shellharbour?
Shellharbour has 3 schools, with an average ICSEA of 1028 (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.