Shell Cove, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Shell Cove NSW is 7,591 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Shell Cove is $931 per week ($48,412 per year). Median rent in Shell Cove is $600 per week ($2,600 per month). Shell Cove has a median age of 40 years, older than the national median of 38. Shell Cove has a population density of 751 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Shell Cove is England. The most common religion is No religion (32.5% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Macedonian. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Shell Cove is $2,386.

There were 58 recorded offences in Shell Cove in 2025-26, a rate of 8 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (21 offences).

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au), 2025-26.

Shell Cove Map

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Shell Cove Population

7,591 residents at the 2021 Census.

Shell Cove Median Income & Rent

Median Income

$931/wk

$48,412 per year

Ranked 1,797 of 14,663

Median Rent

$600/wk

$2,600 per month

Ranked 202 of 14,663

Median Age

40years

2 years older than the national median

Mortgage

$2,386/mo

Avg household size: 3 · 0.8 per bedroom

Shell Cove Demographics

Gender Split

Male 50.3% (3,816) Female 49.7% (3,772)

Population Density

751

people per km²

7,591 people · 10.1 km²

Households

Avg household size

0.8

Persons per bedroom

$2,657

Family income/wk

Shell Cove Age Distribution

0-4

5-9

10-14

15-19

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

45-49

50-54

55-59

60-64

65-69

70-74

75-79

80-84

85+

Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Shell Cove Home Ownership

Of owner-occupied homes in Shell Cove, 45.8% are owned outright and 54.2% have a mortgage.

Owned outright

45.8%

Owned with mortgage

54.2%

Rented homes are not included in this breakdown.

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
Egypt
Germany
India
Croatia
Chile
Canada
China

Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Shell Cove Religion

No religion

32.5%

Catholic

27.6%

Anglican

14.7%

Not stated

5.9%

Eastern Orthodox

5.2%

Christian (other)

3.5%

Islam

2.0%

Uniting Church

2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Shell Cove Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent

57.8%

Year 10 or equivalent

30.2%

Year 11 or equivalent

7.1%

Year 9 or equivalent

4.9%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Macedonian
Arabic
Spanish
Serbian
Greek
Italian
Turkish

Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Spoken at Home by SAL

Shell Cove Employment

Employed full-time

40.1% 2,147 people

Employed part-time

22.9% 1,227 people

Unemployed

2.7% 142 people

Not in labour force

34.3% 1,835 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Shell Cove Qualifications

Certificate III/IV

37.1%

Bachelor Degree

26.9%

Advanced Diploma/Diploma

21.1%

Postgraduate Degree

8.5%

Graduate Diploma/Certificate

4.7%

Certificate I/II

1.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Shell Cove Occupation

Professionals

30.5%

Managers

16.0%

Technicians & Trade Workers

14.0%

Clerical & Administrative

13.7%

Community & Personal Service

12.5%

Sales Workers

5.0%

Machinery Operators & Drivers

4.6%

Labourers

3.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Shell Cove Field of Study

Management & Commerce

23.2%

Engineering

20.3%

Health

12.9%

Society & Culture

12.6%

Education

10.4%

Architecture & Building

6.7%

Food, Hospitality & Personal Services

4.3%

Information Technology

3.1%

Natural & Physical Sciences

2.8%

Creative Arts

2.5%

Agriculture & Environment

1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

Shell Cove Dwelling Types

Separate house

91.2%

Semi-detached (2+ storey)

6.5%

Semi-detached (1 storey)

2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Shell Cove Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk

1.4%

$1-$149/wk

0.4%

$150-$299/wk

0.9%

$300-$399/wk

0.7%

$400-$499/wk

2.6%

$500-$649/wk

2.7%

$650-$799/wk

4.5%

$800-$999/wk

4.7%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

5.8%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

6.1%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

4.8%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

5.1%

$2,000-$2,499/wk

11.1%

$2,500-$2,999/wk

9.2%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

10.7%

$3,500-$3,999/wk

7.5%

$4,000+/wk

21.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Shell Cove Marital Status

Married

58.5% 3,528

Separated

2.4% 142

Divorced

6.7% 404

Widowed

4.4% 264

Never married

28.1% 1,696

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Shell Cove Ancestry

English

37.3%

Australian

35.4%

Irish

9.7%

Scottish

8.9%

Italian

5.3%

Macedonian

5.2%

German

4.2%

Australian Aboriginal

2.7%

Maltese

2.3%

Spanish

1.8%

Greek

1.5%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Shell Cove School & University Attendance

Primary — Government

28.1%

Secondary — Government

18.4%

Secondary — Catholic

11.8%

Vocational Education

11.5%

Pre-school

10.5%

Secondary — Other Non-Govt

7.6%

Primary — Other Non-Govt

6.3%

Primary — Catholic

5.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

Shell Cove Need for Assistance

Needs assistance

4.1%

No need for assistance

95.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Shell Cove Volunteering

Volunteer

12.0% 689

Not a volunteer

88.0% 5,038

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Shell Cove Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo

5.9%

$300-$449/mo

1.4%

$450-$599/mo

1.6%

$600-$799/mo

1.6%

$800-$999/mo

2.8%

$1,000-$1,399/mo

8.5%

$1,400-$1,799/mo

10.8%

$1,800-$2,399/mo

24.5%

$2,400-$2,999/mo

20.5%

$3,000-$3,999/mo

22.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Shell Cove How People Get to Work

Car (driver)

70.9%

Did not go to work

22.2%

Car (passenger)

4.1%

Walked only

1.1%

Bicycle

0.4%

Other

0.4%

Train

0.3%

Truck

0.3%

Motorbike/Scooter

0.1%

Bus

0.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Shell Cove Car Ownership

0 vehicles

0.9%

1 vehicle

24.5%

2 vehicles

47.1%

3 vehicles

16.9%

4+ vehicles

10.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Shell Cove Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom

0.8%

2 bedrooms

2.8%

3 bedrooms

22.8%

4 bedrooms

60.3%

5 bedrooms

12.1%

6+ bedrooms

1.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Shell Cove Population Mobility

16.7%

moved in the last year

46.5%

moved in the last 5 years

3.6%

unemployment rate (Census)

65.0%

labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Shell Cove Indigenous Population

2.6%

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Shell Cove Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health

580

Asthma

278

Arthritis

254

Heart disease

178

Diabetes

165

Cancer

118

Lung condition

Kidney disease

Stroke

Dementia

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Shell Cove Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk

10.0%

$1-$149/wk

4.7%

$150-$299/wk

5.4%

$300-$399/wk

3.1%

$400-$499/wk

2.7%

$500-$649/wk

2.9%

$650-$799/wk

8.0%

$800-$999/wk

8.7%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

10.5%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

7.9%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

7.8%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

6.2%

$2,000-$2,999/wk

14.3%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

3.4%

$3,500+/wk

4.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

Shell Cove Family Structure

Couple — children under 15

47.2%

Couple — no children

23.4%

Couple — no children under 15

21.4%

One parent — children under 15

4.1%

One parent — no children under 15

3.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Shell Cove Military Service

Current ADF — Regular

0.3% 18

Current ADF — Reserves

0.1% 7

Previously served

2.2% 126

Never served

97.4% 5,599

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Shell Cove Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance

13.2% 759

Did not provide

86.8% 4,970

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Shell Cove Children Ever Born

No children

29.5%

1 child

9.7%

2 children

36.7%

3 children

17.6%

4 children

5.7%

5+ children

0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

Shell Cove When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951

1951–1960

1961–1970

236

1971–1980

210

1981–1990

170

1991–2000

121

2001–2010

204

2011–2015

125

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Shell Cove Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours

22.6%

5–14 hours

31.2%

15–29 hours

15.0%

30+ hours

10.0%

Did not do domestic work

21.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Shell Cove Household Size

1 person

11.3%

2 persons

33.3%

3 persons

17.3%

4 persons

25.2%

5 persons

9.5%

6+ persons

3.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Shell Cove Where Residents Moved From

Same address

5,996

Moved from NSW

730

Moved — same area (SA2)

374

Moved from overseas

Moved from VIC

Moved from QLD

Moved from ACT

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Shell Cove Family Blending

Intact family — no other children

83.4%

Step family — no other children

11.5%

Blended family — no other children

4.4%

Other couple — children only

0.5%

Intact family — other children present

0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Shell Cove Crime Statistics

58 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft

Other Against Property

Assault

Property Damage

Other Against Person

Sexual Offences

Drug Offences

Weapons

Total offences by year

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au).

Shell Cove Schools

schools nearby

government

1045

avg ICSEA score

3,199

total students

Shellharbour Anglican College Independent

Combined · K-12 · 981 students

1099

ICSEA

Minnamurra Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 464 students

1068

ICSEA

Stella Maris Catholic Primary School Catholic

Primary · K-6 · 405 students

1050

ICSEA

Shell Cove Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 463 students

1049

ICSEA

Flinders Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 518 students

1004

ICSEA

Shellharbour Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 368 students

999

ICSEA

Illawarra Environmental Education Centre Government

Combined

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Shell Cove, with a map

Shell Cove Rent Prices & Affordability

24% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $2,452/wk

Median rent $600/wk

Rent to income 24.5%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Shell Cove against your income

Your weekly income

About $10,625 a month

Median rent $600/wk

Left after rent $1,852/wk

Rent share 24.5%

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

South Albury

Income: $775/wk Rent: $200/wk $400/wk less rent

East Albury

Income: $858/wk Rent: $280/wk $320/wk less rent

East Tamworth

Income: $915/wk Rent: $325/wk $275/wk less rent

Bulli

Income: $952/wk Rent: $370/wk $230/wk less rent

Lochinvar

Income: $889/wk Rent: $370/wk $230/wk less rent

Lambton

Income: $846/wk Rent: $380/wk $220/wk less rent

Belmont North

Income: $748/wk Rent: $380/wk $220/wk less rent

Tatton

Income: $1,009/wk Rent: $385/wk $215/wk less rent

Shell Cove vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Shell Cove is $931 a week, 22% above the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 520th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $600 a week, $215 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 24.5% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 40, 3 years younger than in the typical NSW suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
Measure	Shell Cove	Typical NSW	Typical Australia
Personal income	$931/wk	$765/wk	$766/wk
Household income	$2,452/wk	$1,704/wk	$1,637/wk
Rent	$600/wk	$385/wk	$330/wk
Mortgage repayment	$2,386/mo	$1,965/mo	$1,733/mo
Median age	40	43	42
Rent share of household income	24.5%	22.6%	20.3%

Suburbs near Shell Cove

The closest suburb to Shell Cove is Shellharbour, 3.4 km away.

Shellharbour

3.4 km away · income $741/wk · rent $420/wk

Flinders (NSW)

3.8 km away · income $822/wk · rent $490/wk

Kiama Downs

4.7 km away · income $872/wk · rent $490/wk

Blackbutt (NSW)

4.7 km away · income $707/wk · rent $420/wk

Barrack Heights

5.0 km away · income $618/wk · rent $380/wk

Warilla

6.1 km away · income $531/wk · rent $300/wk

Compare Shell Cove

Frequently Asked Questions About Shell Cove

What is the population of Shell Cove NSW?

The population of Shell Cove NSW is 7,591 according to the ABS Census 2021.The suburb has a population density of 751 people per km².Shell Cove is ranked #947 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Shell Cove?

The median personal income in Shell Cove NSW is $931 per week, or $48,412 per year.The median household income is $2,452 per week.Family income is $2,657 per week.Shell Cove is ranked #1,797 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Shell Cove?

Median rent in Shell Cove NSW is $600 per week ($2,600 per month).Rent represents 24.5% of household income, which is considered affordable.Shell Cove ranks #202 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Shell Cove?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Shell Cove NSW is $2,386. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Shell Cove?

The median age in Shell Cove NSW is 40 years.This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Shell Cove a good suburb to live in?

Shell Cove is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 7,591.The median income is $931/wk, which is above the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk).Rent affordability is rated as affordable (24.5% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Sydney Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 13547. All dollar figures in AUD.