Shelly Beach
NSW 2261 · Central Coast
1,313 (2021) → 1,346 est. (2025) · Moderate Growth
Part of the Central Coast local government area (est. 356,114 residents)
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Shelly Beach is a moderate growth suburb in Central Coast, NSW 2261, about 62km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $1.66M is more expensive than the NSW average. The suburb has 2 schools, a transport score of 41/100, and is right by the coast. Shelly Beach has an overall score of 53/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 100/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2261 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (3.5%), New Zealand (1.14%), Germany (0.84%), Netherlands (0.69%), China (0.38%)
Top languages: Mandarin (0.53%), Arabic (0.46%), German (0.46%), French (0.38%), Thai (0.3%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: NSW Valuer General · Updated Q1 2026
Residential Safety
Small population (under 3,000) — crime rates may be volatile due to low sample size.
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
Reasonable school mix
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of schools, though the strongest options may require some travel.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 1016 (above the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · CatholicICSEA 1057
- Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College The Entrance CampusSecondary · GovernmentICSEA 987
Nearby (within 10km)
- Brooke Avenue Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.9kmICSEA 931
- Bateau Bay Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.6kmICSEA 1029
- The Entrance Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.7kmICSEA 923
- Killarney Vale Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.8kmICSEA 963
- The Central Coast Montessori Primary SchoolPrimary · Independent · 2.8kmICSEA 1100
- Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College Tumbi Umbi CampusSecondary · Government · 4.1kmICSEA 972
- St John Fisher Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 4.5kmICSEA 1056
- Berkeley Vale Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 5.1kmICSEA 988
- TLK Youth CollegeSecondary · Independent · 5.4kmICSEA 904
- Wamberal Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 5.8kmICSEA 1048
- Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College Berkeley Vale CampusSecondary · Government · 6.4kmICSEA 959
- Chittaway Bay Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 7kmICSEA 992
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
Fitness paradise
Top 20% nationally — gyms, leisure centres, pools and sports fields all close by. Easy to stay active without travelling far.
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
Rich cultural scene
Well above average — a strong mix of 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
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
Some choices available
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of childcare options, though popular services may have waiting lists.
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
Moderate GrowthSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Central Coast
Compare Shelly Beach with another suburb
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Frequently asked questions about Shelly Beach
Is Shelly Beach safe?
Shelly Beach has a residential safety score of 100/100, 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 3,351 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Shelly Beach?
In Shelly Beach, the median house price is $1.66M. Median weekly house rent is $680.
How far is Shelly Beach from Sydney CBD?
Shelly Beach is about 61.6 km from Sydney CBD, an estimated 164 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Shelly Beach?
Shelly Beach has 2 schools, with an average ICSEA of 1022 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Shelly Beach?
Shelly Beach has a transport score of 41/100 and 12 bus stops.