🔍

Shellharbour

NSW 2529 • Rest of NSW

3,520
Population (2021)
$82,992
Median Household Income
2.48 km²
Area
$420/wk
Median Rent
CoastalHistoricFamily-FriendlyVillage-Atmosphere

About Shellharbour

Shellharbour is a historic coastal suburb in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, approximately 100 km south of Sydney. With a population of around 3,500 and a median age of 46, it serves as the original township and cultural heart of the Shellharbour local government area. The suburb sits at just 2 metres elevation along the coast, centred around the historic Shellharbour Village.

The suburb offers a village atmosphere with boutique shops, cafés, and restaurants clustered around the harbour and Shellharbour Village shopping area. The nearby Shellharbour City Centre (Shell Cove) provides larger retail options. Popular beaches including Warilla Beach and the sheltered harbour pool make it ideal for swimming and fishing. The area attracts families and retirees who value the coastal lifestyle with convenient access to Wollongong and Sydney.

Shellharbour 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
-34.58°, 150.86°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
2.48 km²
Elevation
2m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.26M
38 sales · ▼ 4.3% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$885K
41 sales · ▲ 5% 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)
$420
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,167
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
46 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
8.9%

81 state housing + 42 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Shellharbour Junction
3 km
35 min
Oak Flats
4 km
45 min

Bus Services

  • 34, 34A — Shellharbour Junction Station 10 min
  • 34 — Wollongong 45 min
  • 75 — Shell Cove 15 min

Commute to Sydney

Distance
100 km
By Train
2h 10min
By Car (Peak)
1h 40min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 20min

🛣️ Train from Shellharbour Junction on South Coast Line to Sydney Central. Wollongong is 25 min by train.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The village centre is walkable with shops and beaches accessible on foot, but reaching the train station or larger shopping centres requires transport.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Shop 1201 Shellharbour Square Lake Entance Road Shellharbour 2529 NSW
  • Woolworths
    Stoney Range Centre, New Lake Entrance Road Shellharbour 2529 NSW

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Shellharbour Local Government Area, which contains Shellharbour. 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
3,561
Census 2021
3,520
▼ 1.2% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$32,604
Personal Income 2021
$38,532
▲ 18.2% 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
$38,532 / yr
$741/wk
Household
$82,992 / yr
$1596/wk
Family
$107,432 / yr
$2066/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,854
Born Overseas 529

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 159
  • 2. North Macedonia 44
  • 3. New Zealand 42
  • 4. Italy 23
  • 5. Malta 18
  • 6. Scotland 18
  • 7. United States 18
  • 8. South Africa 15
  • 9. Germany 10
  • 10. Ireland 10

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,446
Australian 1,336
Irish 418
Scottish 347
Italian 182
German 157
Macedonian 116
Australian Aboriginal 107
Maltese 75
Spanish 63

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,080
Both parents born in Australia
792
Both parents born overseas
500
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
57.0%
No Religion
36.3%
Buddhism
0.5%
Islam
0.5%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
155 (4.4%)
5-14 years
376 (10.7%)
15-19 years
235 (6.7%)
20-24 years
186 (5.3%)
25-34 years
386 (11.0%)
35-44 years
348 (9.9%)
45-54 years
450 (12.8%)
55-64 years
619 (17.6%)
65-74 years
450 (12.8%)
75-84 years
227 (6.4%)
85+ years
90 (2.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shellharbour known for? +

Shellharbour is a historic coastal suburb in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, approximately 100 km south of Sydney. With a population of around 3,500 and a median age of 46, it serves as the original township and cultural heart of the Shellharbour local government area.

How far is Shellharbour from Sydney? +

Shellharbour is approximately 100 kilometres from Sydney. The drive takes around 1h 40min during peak hour and 1h 20min off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately 2h 10min.

Does Shellharbour have public transport? +

Shellharbour is served by Shellharbour Junction station (3 km, approximately 35 min walk) on the South Coast Line. Local bus services including 34, 34A also connect residents to Shellharbour Junction Station.

What is the population of Shellharbour? +

According to the 2021 Census, Shellharbour has a population of approximately 3,520 residents.

Is Shellharbour a good place to live? +

Shellharbour 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 Shellharbour? +

The postcode for Shellharbour in NSW is 2529.

What is the average income in Shellharbour? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Shellharbour is about $741 per week (around $38,500 per year). The median household income is $1,596 per week and the median family income is $2,066 per week.

What is the median house price in Shellharbour? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,258,000, down 4.3% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $885,000, up 5% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Shellharbour? +

The median age in Shellharbour is 46. The largest age group is 55–64 (619 residents, around 18%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 22% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Shellharbour a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Shellharbour 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 Shellharbour? +

In Shellharbour, the median weekly rent is $420, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,167 (2021 Census).