New South Wales · Suburb Profile

Shelly Beach NSW — Suburb Profile

Population, median income, rent prices, housing costs and demographics for Shelly Beach, New South Wales. ABS Census 2021.

The population of Shelly Beach NSW is 1,313 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Shelly Beach is $801 per week ($41,652 per year). Median rent in Shelly Beach is $423 per week ($1,833 per month). Shelly Beach has a median age of 47 years, older than the national median of 38. Shelly Beach has a population density of 1129.6 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Shelly Beach is England. The most common religion is Catholic (33% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Arabic. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Shelly Beach is $2,200.

There were 13 recorded offences in Shelly Beach in 2025-26, a rate of 10 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was property damage (5 offences).

Shelly Beach Map

📍

Loading map…

Shelly Beach Population

residents (Census 2021)

Shelly Beach Median Income & Rent

💰

Median Income

$801/wk

$41,652 per year

#3609 of 14,663

🏠

Median Rent

$423/wk

$1,833 per month

#1490 of 14,663

👤

Median Age

47years

9 years older than national median

🏡

Mortgage

$2,200/mo

Avg household size: 2.5 · 0.7 per bedroom

Shelly Beach Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.7% (640) Female 51.3% (674)

Population Density

1129.6

people per km²

1,313 people · 1.2 km²

Households

2.5

Avg household size

0.7

Persons per bedroom

$2,146

Family income/wk

Shelly Beach 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 & Locality (SAL)

Shelly Beach Housing Tenure

🏠

Owned outright

59.4% 244 dwellings

🏦

Owned with mortgage

40.6% 167 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021 — Suburb & Locality (SAL)

Shelly Beach Country of Birth

Australia

94.8%

England

4.0%

India

0.7%

Germany

0.5%

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

Shelly Beach Religion

Catholic

32.6%

No Religion

31.7%

Anglican

18.4%

Not stated

9.2%

Uniting Church

2.8%

Christinty Prsbytrin Refrmd

2.0%

Christian (other)

1.7%

Pentecostal

1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G14 — Religion by SAL

Shelly Beach Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent

52.2%

Year 10 or equivalent

36.1%

Year 9 or equivalent

6.0%

Year 11 or equivalent

5.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G16 — Highest Year of School by SAL

Shelly Beach Languages Spoken at Home

Arabic

33.3%

Other

26.7%

German

20.0%

Italian

20.0%

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

Shelly Beach Employment

💼

Employed full-time

32.0% 309 people

⏰

Employed part-time

22.7% 219 people

🔍

Unemployed

2.3% 22 people

🏠

Not in labour force

43.0% 415 people

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

Shelly Beach Qualifications

Certificate III/IV

43.8%

Bachelor Degree

23.1%

Advanced Diploma/Diploma

22.1%

Postgraduate Degree

5.1%

Graduate Diploma/Certificate

5.0%

Certificate I/II

1.0%

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

Shelly Beach Occupation

Professionals

27.8%

Technicians & Trade Workers

18.5%

Managers

15.0%

Clerical & Administrative

14.0%

Community & Personal Service

10.8%

Sales Workers

5.8%

Labourers

5.5%

Machinery Operators & Drivers

2.8%

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

Shelly Beach Field of Study

Management & Commerce

23.2%

Engineering

14.0%

Education

13.7%

Architecture & Building

11.7%

Health

10.9%

Society & Culture

9.9%

Food, Hospitality & Personal Services

5.9%

Creative Arts

5.6%

Agriculture & Environment

3.3%

Information Technology

1.0%

Natural & Physical Sciences

0.8%

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

Shelly Beach Dwelling Types

Separate house

87.0%

Semi-detached (1 storey)

8.4%

Semi-detached (2+ storey)

4.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G36 — Dwelling Structure by SAL

Shelly Beach Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk

1.1%

$1-$149/wk

0.9%

$150-$299/wk

1.1%

$300-$399/wk

2.2%

$400-$499/wk

5.0%

$500-$649/wk

5.2%

$650-$799/wk

7.3%

$800-$999/wk

4.8%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

8.4%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

10.8%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

6.3%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

5.8%

$2,000-$2,499/wk

11.2%

$2,500-$2,999/wk

5.6%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

6.0%

$3,500-$3,999/wk

4.5%

$4,000+/wk

13.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G33 — Household Income by SAL

Shelly Beach Marital Status

💍

Married

51.8% 578

↔️

Separated

2.9% 32

📋

Divorced

7.8% 87

🕊️

Widowed

8.6% 96

👤

Never married

28.9% 322

Source: ABS Census 2021 G05 — Marital Status by SAL

Shelly Beach Ancestry

Australian

33.8%

English

31.9%

Irish

12.3%

Scottish

7.1%

Other

3.2%

Aboriginal Australianralian

2.9%

German

2.7%

Italian

1.8%

Dutch

1.7%

Chinese

0.9%

French

0.8%

Maltese

0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G08 — Ancestry by SAL

Shelly Beach School & University Attendance

Secondary — Government

19.7%

Primary — Catholic

18.9%

Primary — Government

16.8%

Pre-school

13.0%

Secondary — Catholic

11.3%

Vocational Education

10.5%

Primary — Other Non-Govt

5.5%

Secondary — Other Non-Govt

4.2%

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

Shelly Beach Need for Assistance

♿

Needs assistance

5.1% 125

✅

No need for assistance

94.9% 2,319

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

Shelly Beach Volunteering

🤝

Volunteer

14.3% 147

—

Not a volunteer

85.7% 879

Source: ABS Census 2021 G23 — Voluntary Work by SAL

Shelly Beach Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo

7.3%

$600-$799/mo

2.4%

$800-$999/mo

3.2%

$1,000-$1,399/mo

9.7%

$1,400-$1,799/mo

10.5%

$1,800-$2,399/mo

33.1%

$2,400-$2,999/mo

19.4%

$3,000-$3,999/mo

14.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G38 — Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Shelly Beach How People Get to Work

Car (driver)

68.3%

Did not go to work

21.3%

Car (passenger)

3.6%

Truck

2.5%

Other

1.4%

Walked only

1.1%

Bicycle

0.9%

Bus

0.9%

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

Shelly Beach Car Ownership

0 vehicles

4.0%

1 vehicle

33.1%

2 vehicles

42.1%

3 vehicles

12.5%

4+ vehicles

8.3%

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

Shelly Beach Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom

3.0%

2 bedrooms

8.5%

3 bedrooms

42.4%

4 bedrooms

33.5%

5 bedrooms

10.1%

6+ bedrooms

2.4%

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

Shelly Beach Population Mobility

11.3%

moved in the last year

36.3%

moved in the last 5 years

2.8%

unemployment rate (Census)

55.1%

labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021 G43 — Summary by SAL

Shelly Beach Indigenous Population

4.9%

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

122

Indigenous residents

2,359

Non-Indigenous residents

Source: ABS Census 2021 G07 — Indigenous Status by SAL

Shelly Beach Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health

103

Arthritis

Asthma

Heart disease

Lung condition

Stroke

Cancer

Diabetes

Kidney disease

Dementia

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

Shelly Beach Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk

8.9%

$1-$149/wk

4.5%

$150-$299/wk

6.7%

$300-$399/wk

3.1%

$400-$499/wk

3.0%

$500-$649/wk

4.5%

$650-$799/wk

10.3%

$800-$999/wk

10.3%

$1,000-$1,249/wk

11.8%

$1,250-$1,499/wk

9.1%

$1,500-$1,749/wk

7.2%

$1,750-$1,999/wk

6.0%

$2,000-$2,999/wk

9.3%

$3,000-$3,499/wk

2.5%

$3,500+/wk

2.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G17 — Personal Income by SAL

Shelly Beach Family Structure

Couple — children under 15

37.2%

Couple — no children

33.6%

Couple — no children under 15

21.0%

One parent — no children under 15

5.4%

One parent — children under 15

2.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G29 — Family Composition by SAL

Shelly Beach Military Service

🏅

Previously served

3.7% 38

👤

Never served

96.3% 987

Source: ABS Census 2021 G22 — ADF Service by SAL

Shelly Beach Unpaid Carers

🤲

Provided unpaid assistance

12.9% 132

—

Did not provide

87.1% 893

Source: ABS Census 2021 G25 — Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Shelly Beach Children Ever Born

No children

29.6%

1 child

7.7%

2 children

37.1%

3 children

19.5%

4 children

6.0%

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

Shelly Beach When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951

1951–1960

1961–1970

1971–1980

1981–1990

1991–2000

2001–2010

2011–2015

2016

2018

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

Shelly Beach Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours

20.8%

5–14 hours

28.9%

15–29 hours

16.7%

30+ hours

11.5%

Did not do domestic work

22.1%

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

Shelly Beach Household Size

1 person

26.1%

2 persons

35.8%

3 persons

13.4%

4 persons

15.8%

5 persons

5.9%

6+ persons

3.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G35 — Household Size by SAL

Shelly Beach Where Residents Moved From

Same address

1,056

Moved from NSW

106

Moved — same area (SA2)

Moved from overseas

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

Shelly Beach Family Blending

Intact family — no other children

86.6%

Step family — no other children

8.1%

Blended family — no other children

3.4%

Intact family — other children present

2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021 G31 — Family Blending by SAL

Shelly Beach Crime Statistics

Reported offences in 2025-26 — 13 total

Property Damage

Theft

Sexual Offences

Other Against Person

Offence trend by year:

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR — bocsar.nsw.gov.au

Shelly Beach Schools

schools nearby

government

999

avg ICSEA score

3,361

total students

The Central Coast Montessori Primary School Independent

Primary · K-6 · 66 students

1100

ICSEA

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School Catholic

Primary · K-6 · 606 students

1057

ICSEA

Bateau Bay Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 614 students

1029

ICSEA

Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College The Entrance Campus Government

Secondary · 7-12 · 756 students

987

ICSEA

Killarney Vale Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 477 students

963

ICSEA

Brooke Avenue Public School Government

Primary · K-6 · 420 students

931

ICSEA

The Entrance Public School Government

Primary · P-6 · 422 students

923

ICSEA

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

View all schools in Shelly Beach with map →

Shelly Beach Rent Prices & Affordability

26%

of income

Moderate

Household Income $1,646/wk

Median Rent $423/wk

Rent-to-Income 25.7%

Rent is between 25–35% of household income — moderate housing costs.

If you earn X in Shelly Beach

Your weekly income

≈ $7,133/month

Median rent $423/wk

Left after rent $1,223/wk

Rent share 25.7%

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Hay (NSW)

Income: $669/wk Rent: $175/wk Save: $248/wk

Balranald

Income: $687/wk Rent: $200/wk Save: $223/wk

Bombala

Income: $725/wk Rent: $215/wk Save: $208/wk

Tumbarumba

Income: $677/wk Rent: $220/wk Save: $203/wk

Girards Hill

Income: $677/wk Rent: $290/wk Save: $133/wk

Boambee

Income: $809/wk Rent: $315/wk Save: $108/wk

Junction Hill

Income: $668/wk Rent: $350/wk Save: $73/wk

Myocum

Income: $738/wk Rent: $380/wk Save: $43/wk

Shelly Beach vs State & National Average

Nearby Suburbs in NSW

Binnaway

Pop: 658 Income: $456/wk Rent: $150/wk

Ashford (NSW)

Pop: 659 Income: $461/wk Rent: $185/wk

Hastings Point

Pop: 661 Income: $520/wk Rent: $290/wk

Bobs Farm

Pop: 662 Income: $551/wk Rent: $196/wk

Wedderburn (NSW)

Pop: 665 Income: $781/wk Rent: $420/wk

Pambula Beach

Pop: 667 Income: $822/wk Rent: $370/wk

Compare Shelly Beach (NSW)

Shelly Beach (NSW) vs Binnaway →Shelly Beach (NSW) vs Ashford (NSW) →Shelly Beach (NSW) vs Hastings Point →Shelly Beach (NSW) vs Bobs Farm →

Frequently Asked Questions About Shelly Beach

What is the population of Shelly Beach NSW?

The population of Shelly Beach NSW is 1,313 according to the ABS Census 2021.The suburb has a population density of 1129.6 people per km².Shelly Beach is ranked #3,580 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Shelly Beach?

The median personal income in Shelly Beach NSW is $801 per week, or $41,652 per year.The median household income is $1,646 per week.Family income is $2,146 per week.Shelly Beach is ranked #3,609 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Shelly Beach?

Median rent in Shelly Beach NSW is $423 per week ($1,833 per month).Rent represents 25.7% of household income, which is considered moderate.Shelly Beach ranks #1,490 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Shelly Beach?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Shelly Beach NSW is $2,200. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Shelly Beach?

The median age in Shelly Beach NSW is 47 years.This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Shelly Beach a good suburb to live in?

Shelly Beach is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 1,313.The median income is $801/wk, which is above the NSW average of $781/wk.Rent affordability is rated as moderate (25.7% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

📊 Australian Average Salary 🏘️ Australian House Prices 🌆 Sydney Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 13550. All dollar figures in AUD.