Shellharbour at a glance
Walk score
0
Very car dependent
Population
3,520
Median age 46
The brief
What to know about Shellharbour.
The postcode for Shellharbour is 2529 (NSW).
Shellharbour (2529) sits in the Shellharbour region of NSW.
Shellharbour has roughly 3,520 residents, with an established, older skew. Households are mostly owner-occupied. Daily life is car-dependent: most residents drive to work, school and the shops.
Side by side
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Day to day
What it’s like to live here.
Shellharbour scores 0/100 on walkability, which makes it car-dependent with limited public transport. Plan for two cars in a typical household, especially if work isn't local.
Schooling within or near the suburb covers 12 government primary, 3 government secondary, 2 Catholic, 1 independent.
Who lives here
Demographics.
The 2021 Census put Shellharbour's population at 3,520, with a median age of 46. That sits as an established, older skew. Households are mostly owner-occupied (65% own, 33% rent), which shapes everything from school catchment stability to how often properties turn over. The household mix skews family-dominated (73% family households, 24% lone person), so amenity decisions tend to follow what families want: parks, schools, supermarkets.
Population
3,520
Median age
46
Family households
73%
Lone person
24%
Demographics data as of May 2026· ABS 2021 Census
Market
The price of a home here.
Median house price
Verified median pending
We don't yet have a verified suburb-level median for this market. We're working on a data partner; in the meantime, treat the state-level figures as a guide only. How we source data.
Sales data as of May 2026· rental-nsw
Rental and ownership
Weekly rent (house)
$470/wk
Weekly rent (unit)
$420/wk
Owner occupied
65%
Renter occupied
33%
At a deeper level
3,520
Median age: 46
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Safety
Crime and safety.
301
total offences in 2025
Top offence categories
Crime statistics are reported at LGA level and may cover a broader area than this suburb.
Source: State Police Open Data
Crime data as of January 2025· State Police Open Data
Getting around
Walkability.
0
0
100
Scores calculated from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL)
Walkability data as of May 2026· OpenStreetMap
Place
Location.
Amenities
Transport
Education
Schools in Shellharbour.
Local schools for Shellharbour
View the catchment for each school to find out more.
Government School Catchment
Shell Cove Public School
Illawarra Environmental Education Centre
Flinders Public School
© ACARA, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Frequently asked
About Shellharbour.
- What is the Shellharbour postcode?
- Shellharbour is in the 2529 postcode, in NSW, in the Shellharbour City Council region.
- Where is Shellharbour?
- Shellharbour is a regional suburb in NSW, postcode 2529, in the Shellharbour City Council region.
- What is the average rent in Shellharbour?
- The median weekly rent for houses is $470, for units it's $420.
- What schools are in Shellharbour?
- There are 20 schools serving Shellharbour on this page, including Shell Cove Public School, Shellharbour Anglican College, Illawarra Environmental Education Centre.
- How walkable is Shellharbour?
- Shellharbour has a Walk Score of 0 out of 100, highly car-dependent. transit score 0, bike score 100.
- What suburbs are near Shellharbour?
- Shellharbour is close to Shell Cove, Flinders, Minnamurra, Blackbutt, Barrack Heights.
- What is the population of Shellharbour?
- The population of Shellharbour is approximately 3,520 (2021 Census). The median age is 46.
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Side by side
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Sources cited
Median, growth and rental data from state revenue offices and ABS. Census from ABS 2021. Climate from BoM. Hazard from Geoscience Australia. School data from ACARA. Crime from state police open data. Full methodology →
Always dated
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