🔍

Shell Cove

NSW 2529 • Rest of NSW

7,591
Population (2021)
$127,504
Median Household Income
10.07 km²
Area
$600/wk
Median Rent
CoastalGrowth SuburbFamily-FriendlyMaster-PlannedAffluent

About Shell Cove

Shell Cove is an affluent seaside suburb in the Shellharbour area of the Illawarra region, New South Wales, located approximately 100 kilometres south of Sydney. With a population of around 7,600 that has grown rapidly from 5,600 in 2016, it is one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the Illawarra. The suburb adjoins Bass Point and Killalea State Park, featuring a master-planned community developed by Shellharbour Marina Pty Ltd. Shell Cove is characterised by modern housing, a boat harbour, and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Shell Cove offers a premium coastal lifestyle with its centrepiece marina and waterfront dining precinct, The Waterfront Shell Cove. Residents enjoy access to pristine beaches, Bass Point Reserve (a heritage-listed nature area), and Killalea State Park with its popular surf beach. The suburb features parks, playgrounds, cycling paths, and a village centre with shops and cafes. It attracts young families and sea-changers seeking a modern, low-maintenance home near the coast with a strong sense of community.

Shell Cove falls under postcode 2529 and is governed by Shellharbour Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Shellharbour electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2529
Urban Area
Shellharbour
LGA / Council
Shellharbour
Federal Electorate
Whitlam
State Electorate
Shellharbour
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.61°, 150.87°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
10.07 km²
Elevation
25m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Shell Cove for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$1.45M
134 sales · ▲ 7.4% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$1.11M
35 sales · ▼ 23.2% vs 2024

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$600
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,386
Avg Household Size
3 people
Median Age
40 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Shellharbour Junction
3.5 km
42 min
Oak Flats
5 km
60 min

Bus Services

  • 43 — Shell Cove to Shellharbour City Centre 15 min
  • 45 — Shell Cove to Wollongong 50 min

Commute to Wollongong CBD

Distance
20 km
By Train
35-40 min from Shellharbour Junction
By Bus
50-60 min
By Car (Peak)
25-35 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20-25 min

🛣️ Sydney CBD ~2 hours by train; most residents commute to Wollongong or Shellharbour

Walkability Car-Dependent

The Waterfront precinct is walkable but most daily errands require a car due to the suburban layout

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Shell Cove, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Bass Point Reserve
Boollwarroo Parade, Shell Cove • SHR #01896

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Shellharbour Local Government Area, which contains Shell Cove. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
201.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 3.4%
Motor vehicle theft
182.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
267.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
8.6 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
331 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.2%
View all 62 offence types for Shellharbour →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
5,624
Census 2021
7,591
▲ 35.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$39,208
Personal Income 2021
$48,412
▲ 23.5% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$48,412 / yr
$931/wk
Household
$127,504 / yr
$2452/wk
Family
$138,164 / yr
$2657/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 6,093
Born Overseas 1,320

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 310
  • 2. North Macedonia 103
  • 3. South Africa 67
  • 4. New Zealand 63
  • 5. Italy 46
  • 6. Egypt 45
  • 7. Scotland 41
  • 8. Germany 40
  • 9. India 33
  • 10. Ireland 27

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,833
Australian 2,689
Irish 736
Scottish 674
Italian 406
Macedonian 396
German 319
Australian Aboriginal 206
Maltese 174
Spanish 135

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

4,118
Both parents born in Australia
2,008
Both parents born overseas
1,147
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
58.0%
No Religion
32.7%
Islam
2.0%
Buddhism
0.6%
Hinduism
0.5%
Sikhism
0.1%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
428 (5.6%)
5-14 years
1,137 (15.0%)
15-19 years
597 (7.9%)
20-24 years
421 (5.5%)
25-34 years
642 (8.5%)
35-44 years
1,103 (14.5%)
45-54 years
1,159 (15.3%)
55-64 years
889 (11.7%)
65-74 years
699 (9.2%)
75-84 years
382 (5.0%)
85+ years
139 (1.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shell Cove known for? +

Shell Cove is an affluent seaside suburb in the Shellharbour area of the Illawarra region, New South Wales, located approximately 100 kilometres south of Sydney. With a population of around 7,600 that has grown rapidly from 5,600 in 2016, it is one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the Illawarra.

How far is Shell Cove from Wollongong CBD? +

Shell Cove is approximately 20 kilometres from Wollongong CBD. The drive takes around 25-35 min during peak hour and 20-25 min off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately 35-40 min from Shellharbour Junction.

Does Shell Cove have public transport? +

Shell Cove is served by Shellharbour Junction station (3.5 km, approximately 42 min walk) on the T4 South Coast Line. Local bus services including 43 also connect residents to Shell Cove to Shellharbour City Centre.

What is the population of Shell Cove? +

According to the 2021 Census, Shell Cove has a population of approximately 7,591 residents.

Is Shell Cove a good place to live? +

Shell Cove is well-regarded for its coastal lifestyle, offering natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and a relaxed community feel. It suits those who prioritise beach access and a quieter pace of life over proximity to a major city.

What is the postcode for Shell Cove? +

The postcode for Shell Cove in NSW is 2529.

What is the average income in Shell Cove? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Shell Cove is about $931 per week (around $48,400 per year). The median household income is $2,452 per week and the median family income is $2,657 per week.

What is the median house price in Shell Cove? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,450,000, up 7.4% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $1,110,000, down 23.2% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Shell Cove? +

The median age in Shell Cove is 40. The largest age group is 45–54 (1,159 residents, around 15%). Around 28% of residents are under 20 and about 16% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Shell Cove a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Shell Cove is part of the Shellharbour LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Shell Cove? +

In Shell Cove, the median weekly rent is $600, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,386 (2021 Census).