Blackbutt vs Shell Cove
Blackbutt (median $1,060,000) is roughly 27% cheaper to buy into than Shell Cove ($1,450,000). Over the past year, Blackbutt (+8.6%) ran 1.2 percentage points ahead of Shell Cove (+7.4%) on house-price growth.
Buying in Blackbutt or Shell Cove?
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Blackbutt and Shell Cove side by side
| Measure | Blackbutt | Shell Cove |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,060,000 | $1,450,000 |
| Median unit | $343,440 | $343,440 |
| House price change, 12 months | +8.6% | +7.4% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $810/wk | $810/wk |
| Unit rent | $660/wk | $660/wk |
| Owner occupied | 69.0% | 77.0% |
| Renter occupied | 29.0% | 19.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 964 | 968 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 34 | 22 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 3,291 | 7,591 |
| Median age | 43 | 40 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 1020 mm | 1060 mm |
| Mean max, January | 26.1°C | 25.9°C |
Green dot: better on that measure (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk). Each suburb’s profile gives the source and period of its figures.
Which suits whom
Blackbutt scores higher on walkability (34/100 vs 22/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Shell Cove (968) sits above Blackbutt (964).
- For buyers
- Blackbutt is the lower entry point at $1,060,000 median, 27% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Blackbutt carries both higher gross yield (3.97% vs 2.90%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.
- For families
- Shell Cove edges out on average school ICSEA (968 vs 964). Shell Cove also has a higher family-household share (87% vs 77%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Blackbutt vs Shell Cove: common questions
Is Blackbutt or Shell Cove cheaper to buy in?
Blackbutt has the lower median house price at $1,060,000, roughly 27% below Shell Cove ($1,450,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Blackbutt or Shell Cove?
Over the past 12 months, Blackbutt grew +8.6% vs +7.4% in Shell Cove, a gap of 1.2 percentage points. Twelve-month growth can swing year to year, so weight long-run trends from the individual suburb profiles before making a buy decision.
Does Blackbutt or Shell Cove have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Shell Cove scores 968 vs 964 in Blackbutt. ICSEA is a school-community indicator, not a quality rating, so always check NAPLAN results and catchment boundaries for the specific address you're considering.
Which is more walkable, Blackbutt or Shell Cove?
Blackbutt scores 34/100 on walkability vs 22/100. Above 70 is considered very walkable (most errands on foot), 50-69 is walkable for some errands, below 50 typically requires a car for daily life.
Which suburb has higher rental yield, Blackbutt or Shell Cove?
Gross rental yield on houses is 3.97% in Blackbutt vs 2.90% in Shell Cove. Gross yield equals annual rent divided by purchase price. Net yield (after strata, rates, insurance, agent fees and maintenance) typically runs 1.5-2 percentage points lower.
Keep comparing
The two suburbs
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