Shellharbour
At a median age of 46, Shellharbour runs 6 years above the national figure, making it one of the older resident bases along the Illawarra coast. The median house price reached $1,025,000 in 2024-2025, supported by a population that grew 43.8% over the decade and continues to expand at 2.31% annually, well above the national average. Household income sits at the 52.4th percentile nationally, yet 38.4% of owners hold their property outright, suggesting a long-settled, equity-rich base. The IRSAD and IRSD scores both sit at decile 6, placing Shellharbour in the middle tier for advantage and disadvantage.
Population
3,520
Median Age
46.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,596/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
42
Median House
$1.0M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price is $1,025,000, rising from $992,500 in 2024 to $1,100,000 in 2025, a 10.8% gain in one year. Separate houses make up 68.6% of the stock, well above the national apartment-heavy mix in comparable coastal markets. Bedroom distribution skews large, with 34.2% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms and 40.0% having three, suiting families seeking space. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 31.4%, above the 30% stress threshold compared to the household income at the 52.4th national percentile. Outright owners at 38.4% outnumber mortgage holders at 28.0%, indicating a mature, equity-strong ownership base rather than a suburb driven by recent first-home buyers.
For Buyers
The median house price is $1,025,000, rising from $992,500 in 2024 to $1,100,000 in 2025, a 10.8% gain in one year. Separate houses make up 68.6% of the stock, well above the national apartment-heavy mix in comparable coastal markets. Bedroom distribution skews large, with 34.2% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms and 40.0% having three, suiting families seeking space. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 31.4%, above the 30% stress threshold compared to the household income at the 52.4th national percentile. Outright owners at 38.4% outnumber mortgage holders at 28.0%, indicating a mature, equity-strong ownership base rather than a suburb driven by recent first-home buyers.
For Investors
Renters account for 33.6% of households, providing a solid tenant pool, and weekly rent averages $420. The vacancy rate of 7.6% is elevated compared to tighter coastal markets and warrants attention before committing. Development activity is active at 40 applications in the past 12 months, including dual occupancy and subdivision works, reflecting genuine supply appetite. Population growth runs at 2.31% annually, driven by net internal migration of 232 per year and net overseas migration of 81 per year, both positive demand signals. The gentrification score of 41 places Shellharbour in the active stage, with population up 49% since 2011 and sustained internal migration, factors that historically support medium-term price growth above state averages.
Development Activity
Total DAs
223
Last 12 Months
42
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+31.2%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Shellharbour iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Stella Maris Catholic Primary School
K-6 · 405 students
Shellharbour Public School
K-6 · 368 students
Demographics
The median age of 46 sits 6 years above the national figure, and the trajectory is firmly aging: the senior share rose 5.1 points while the young share fell 4.3 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents reach 15.6%, which is 6.0 points below the national average, reflecting a predominantly locally-born population. Ancestry is dominated by English (1,446 residents), Irish (418) and Scottish (347), with Italian (182) the main non-Anglo-Celtic group. University qualifications stand at 24.9%, which is 5.2 points below the national figure, consistent with the suburb's public administration and healthcare workforce profile. Average household size of 2.5 matches the national figure, and 31.5% of families are couples without children, common in an aging population.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
68.6%
Houses
14.8%
Townhouse
15.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is weighted toward ownership: 38.4% own outright and 28.0% carry a mortgage, while 33.6% rent. Outright owners outnumbering renters by a significant margin points to a settled, long-held stock rather than a high-turnover rental market. Separate houses dominate at 68.6%, with apartments at 15.9% and semi-detached at 14.8%, a lower density profile than the NSW state average for coastal suburbs. The median price moved from $992,500 in 2024 to $1,100,000 in 2025, an 10.8% one-year gain. Four-plus bedroom homes account for 34.2% of dwellings, skewing larger than many Sydney-fringe markets. Rent-to-income at 26.3% remains below the 30% stress threshold, meaning tenants are currently less stressed than mortgage holders at 31.4%.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$420
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$741
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.6%
Unoccupied
114
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
31.4% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
31.5%
Couples, no children
2,889
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads local employment at 22.5% of the workforce (242 workers), reflecting the Shellharbour Hospital precinct nearby, and Education follows at 13.6% (146 workers). Construction and Public Administration each account for 10.1% (108 workers each), with Manufacturing at 6.2% (67 workers). By occupation, Professionals (326) and Community/Personal service workers (238) are the two largest groups, consistent with a healthcare-anchored economy. The unemployment rate is 4.3%, slightly above typical coastal averages, and the participation rate of 51.1% is lower than state norms, partly because 1,140 residents are not in the labour force given the older age profile. The IRSAD decile of 6 places Shellharbour in the middle tier for overall advantage, higher than its IEO decile of 4 which reflects lower education and occupation scores.
Unemployment
3.7%
Labour Force
11,638
Unemployed
436
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.2%
Part-time
37.5%
Participation
51.1%
Employed
1,462
Occupations
Top Industries
University
24.9%
Postgraduate
5.1%
Born Overseas
15.6%
Dwellings
1,374
Transport to Work
Transport in Shellharbour is car-dependent: 91.3% of commuters drive, compared to the national average, and only 0.3% use public transport, one of the lowest rates in coastal NSW. Walking or cycling accounts for 3.2% of journeys. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in surrounding Shellharbour City suburbs. The IRSAD decile of 6 places the suburb in the middle tier for relative advantage nationally. Housing stress among renters is contained, with rent-to-income at 26.3%, lower than the national threshold of 30%. The volunteer rate of 13.3% and 6.1% of residents requiring daily assistance both sit within normal ranges for an aging coastal community with a median age of 46.
Drive
91.3%
Public Transport
0.3%
Walk / Cycle
3.2%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.31%/yr
(+485 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 43.8% over the decade and sits at an estimated 20,964 in 2025, with forecasts projecting 24,156 by 2031 under the medium scenario. Annual growth of 2.31% adds around 485 persons per year, above the national average for established coastal suburbs. The primary growth driver is internal migration at a net 232 per year, reinforced by overseas migration of 81 per year. Rent grew 50.0% over the period while real income grew 18.3%, a widening gap that has pushed rent-to-income from 58.8% to 60.6% affordability, classified as stable rather than deteriorating. The gentrification score of 41 in the active stage signals ongoing lifestyle-driven demand rather than speculative pressure, with the suburb drawing working-age arrivals even as the existing resident base ages.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+81
Net Internal / yr
+232
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +49% since 2011, Net internal migration +232/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Shellharbour compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shellharbour a good suburb to live in?
Shellharbour offers a predominantly house-based stock (68.6% separate houses) with a median age of 46 and strong ownership rates at 38.4% outright. The IRSAD decile of 6 places it in the national middle tier for advantage. Car dependency is high at 91.3% of commuters, which suits residents comfortable with driving rather than public transport.
What is the median house price in Shellharbour?
The median house price is $1,025,000, rising from $992,500 in 2024 to $1,100,000 in 2025, a 10.8% gain. Weekly rent averages $420 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $2,167, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 31.4%, just above the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Shellharbour?
No schools are recorded within the Shellharbour suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in surrounding Shellharbour City suburbs. The local university qualification rate is 24.9%, which is 5.2 points below the national average, reflecting the healthcare and public administration workforce composition.
Is Shellharbour safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Shellharbour in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the IRSD decile of 6 places the suburb in the national middle tier for relative disadvantage, and 6.1% of residents (207 people) need daily assistance. These figures are consistent with a stable, mid-range coastal community rather than a high-disadvantage area.
Is Shellharbour good for property investment?
Rent of $420 per week against a $1,025,000 median implies a gross yield near 2.1%, modest but supported by 2.31% annual population growth and a gentrification score of 41 in the active stage. The vacancy rate of 7.6% is elevated, so investor demand should focus on house stock where the 33.6% renter share provides a solid tenant base. Net internal migration of 232 per year is a positive long-term demand signal.
How is Shellharbour's population changing?
The population reached an estimated 20,964 in 2025, up 43.8% over the decade, and is forecast to reach 24,156 by 2031 at 2.31% annual growth. Internal migration drives the increase at a net 232 per year, reinforced by overseas migration of 81 per year. The existing resident base is aging, with the senior share up 5.1 points over the decade.
How much development is happening in Shellharbour?
There were 40 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including dual occupancy subdivisions and new dwelling construction. This level of activity reflects genuine supply interest, consistent with population growth of 2.31% annually and a gentrification score of 41, which puts the suburb in the active stage of change.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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