Shelly Beach, QLD: suburb profile

The population of Shelly Beach QLD is 925 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Shelly Beach is $893 per week ($46,436 per year). Median rent in Shelly Beach is $450 per week ($1,950 per month). Shelly Beach has a median age of 48 years, older than the national median of 38. Shelly Beach has a population density of 1,836 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Shelly Beach is New Zealand. The most common religion is No religion (44.6% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Spanish. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Shelly Beach is $2,200.

Population
925
Census 2021
Median income
$893/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$450/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
48years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021.

Shelly Beach vs the typical QLD suburb

The median personal income in Shelly Beach is $893 a week, 20% above the typical QLD suburb ($747). That ranks 355th of 1,527 QLD suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $450 a week, $130 more than the typical QLD suburb. Rent takes 22.2% of the median household income here, against 20.4% in the typical QLD suburb. The median resident is 48, 6 years older than in the typical QLD suburb (42).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureShelly BeachTypical QLDDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$893/wk$747/wk +20%$766/wk
Household income$2,026/wk$1,593/wk +27%$1,637/wk
Rent$450/wk$320/wk +41%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,200/mo$1,625/mo +35%$1,733/mo
Median age4842 +6 yrs42
Rent share of household income22.2%20.4% +1.8 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Shelly Beach, the typical QLD suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Shelly Beach Population

925 residents at the 2021 Census.

Shelly Beach Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$893/wk
$46,436 per year
Ranked 2,215 of 14,663
Median Rent
$450/wk
$1,950 per month
Ranked 1,049 of 14,663
Median Age
48years
10 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$2,200/mo
Avg household size: 2.5 · 0.8 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Shelly Beach Rent Prices & Affordability

22% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $2,026/wk
Median rent $450/wk
Rent to income 22.2%

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

Median rent in Shelly Beach against your income

About $8,779 a month
Median rent $450/wk
Left after rent $1,576/wk
Rent share 22.2%

Shelly Beach Schools

9
schools nearby
6
government
1035
avg ICSEA score
4,874
total students
Our Lady of the Rosary School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 321 students
1092
ICSEA
Caloundra Christian College Independent
Combined · Prep-12 · 438 students
1058
ICSEA
Currimundi State School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 619 students
1041
ICSEA
Talara Primary College Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 974 students
1035
ICSEA
Caloundra State School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 481 students
1027
ICSEA
Golden Beach State School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 548 students
1015
ICSEA
Currimundi Special School Government
Combined · Prep-12 · 177 students
1006
ICSEA
Caloundra State High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,316 students
1004
ICSEA
Kairos Community College - Caloundra Campus Independent
Secondary

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

All schools near Shelly Beach, with a map

Shelly Beach Map

Shelly Beach, Queensland Map data: OpenStreetMap
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Shelly Beach, Queensland: 26.7963°S, 153.1463°E

Shelly Beach Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (9)

People in Shelly Beach

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 46.7% (430) Female 53.3% (491)

Population Density

1,836
people per km²
925 people · 0.5 km²

Households

2.5
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$2,429
Family income/wk

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)

Most common overseas birthplaces

New Zealand
3.8%
England
3.5%
United States of America
1.8%
South Africa
1.5%
India
0.6%
Canada
0.5%
Malaysia
0.4%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Spanish
0.9%
German
0.4%
Afrikaans
0.3%
French
0.3%
Arabic
0.0%
Australian Indigenous Languages
0.0%
Cantonese
0.0%
Mandarin
0.0%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
49.8%
Australian
33.5%
Irish
19.9%
Scottish
12.4%
German
6.2%
Italian
3.1%
Australian Aboriginal
2.1%
Dutch
1.0%
French
1.0%
Greek
1.0%
Polish
1.0%

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

Religion

No religion
44.6%
Catholic
21.6%
Anglican
13.7%
Not stated
6.1%
Uniting Church
3.9%
Christian (other)
1.9%
Buddhism
1.6%
Pentecostal
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

2.3%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
54.4% 423
Separated
4.9% 38
Divorced
7.2% 56
Widowed
4.5% 35
Never married
29.0% 225

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
35.6%
Couple: no children
33.8%
Couple: no children under 15
17.3%
One parent: children under 15
6.7%
One parent: no children under 15
6.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
21.5%
2 persons
40.1%
3 persons
15.0%
4 persons
13.9%
5 persons
6.8%
6+ persons
2.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Shelly Beach

Housing Tenure

Of the 338 occupied private dwellings in Shelly Beach at the 2021 Census, 25.7% were rented, 45.3% owned outright and 25.1% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
2.1% 7 dwellings
Owned outright
45.3% 153 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
25.1% 85 dwellings
Rented
25.7% 87 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
2.4% 8 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
98.6%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
3.0%
2 bedrooms
16.6%
3 bedrooms
38.4%
4 bedrooms
27.8%
5 bedrooms
11.5%
6+ bedrooms
2.7%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
4.8%
$300-$449/mo
8.1%
$600-$799/mo
8.1%
$800-$999/mo
4.8%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
8.1%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
9.7%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
21.0%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
11.3%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
24.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
2.8%
1 vehicle
32.8%
2 vehicles
41.1%
3 vehicles
15.0%
4+ vehicles
8.3%

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

Work, income and education in Shelly Beach

Employment

Employed full-time
29.7% 207 people
Employed part-time
29.9% 209 people
Unemployed
2.6% 18 people
Not in labour force
37.8% 264 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
42.1%
Managers
13.3%
Clerical & Administrative
12.1%
Community & Personal Service
10.3%
Technicians & Trade Workers
10.0%
Sales Workers
6.4%
Labourers
4.5%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
1.2%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.3%
$300-$399/wk
1.0%
$400-$499/wk
3.6%
$500-$649/wk
4.3%
$650-$799/wk
7.2%
$800-$999/wk
3.9%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
7.9%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.6%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
4.9%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.6%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
9.5%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
7.2%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
6.9%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
7.6%
$4,000+/wk
21.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
7.5%
$1-$149/wk
4.8%
$150-$299/wk
6.3%
$300-$399/wk
2.8%
$400-$499/wk
4.0%
$500-$649/wk
3.1%
$650-$799/wk
11.1%
$800-$999/wk
9.4%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.3%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.4%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.9%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
8.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
4.1%
$3,500+/wk
7.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
72.1%
Did not go to work
18.3%
Car (passenger)
4.7%
Walked only
1.7%
Bicycle
1.2%
Other
1.2%
Truck
0.9%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
76.7%
Year 10 or equivalent
16.8%
Year 11 or equivalent
5.4%
Year 9 or equivalent
1.2%

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

Qualifications

Bachelor Degree
39.9%
Certificate III/IV
24.0%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
17.8%
Postgraduate Degree
12.2%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.5%
Certificate I/II
1.5%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
22.0%
Health
22.0%
Architecture & Building
10.5%
Society & Culture
10.5%
Engineering
9.9%
Education
9.0%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
6.9%
Natural & Physical Sciences
3.9%
Agriculture & Environment
3.6%
Creative Arts
1.5%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
22.7%
Secondary: Government
17.3%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
15.3%
Pre-school
11.3%
Secondary: Catholic
10.0%
Primary: Catholic
10.0%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
9.3%
Vocational Education
4.0%

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

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
92.0%
Has need for assistance
3.2%
Need for assistance not stated
4.8%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
53
Heart disease
29
Asthma
28
Arthritis
26
Lung condition
15
Diabetes
12
Cancer
12
Stroke
7
Dementia
4

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
15.9% 116
Did not provide
84.1% 612

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
21.3% 157
Not a volunteer
78.7% 580

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Reserves
0.4% 3
Previously served
4.1% 30
Never served
95.5% 702

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
36.7%
1 child
8.0%
2 children
29.6%
3 children
19.6%
4 children
5.2%
5+ children
0.8%

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

When Migrants Arrived

1951: 1960
6
1961: 1970
10
1971: 1980
10
1981: 1990
27
1991: 2000
20
2001: 2010
36
2011: 2015
13
2017
3
2019
3

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

Population Mobility

17.3%
moved in the last year
47.2%
moved in the last 5 years
3.6%
unemployment rate (Census)
61.4%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
721
Moved from QLD
96
Moved: same area (SA2)
22
Moved from NSW
11
Moved from ACT
10
Moved from VIC
7
Moved from WA
6
Moved from overseas
3

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
21.0%
5: 14 hours
32.6%
15: 29 hours
19.0%
30+ hours
8.9%
Did not do domestic work
18.6%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
87.8%
Step family: no other children
8.2%
Blended family: no other children
4.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Burbank
Income: $901/wk Rent: $365/wk $85/wk less rent
Lake Macdonald
Income: $721/wk Rent: $420/wk $30/wk less rent
Brandon
Income: $762/wk Rent: $200/wk $250/wk less rent
Ocean View
Income: $941/wk Rent: $350/wk $100/wk less rent
Carbrook
Income: $748/wk Rent: $375/wk $75/wk less rent
Tinbeerwah
Income: $776/wk Rent: $400/wk $50/wk less rent
Chandler (Qld)
Income: $944/wk Rent: $368/wk $82/wk less rent
Rangewood
Income: $965/wk Rent: $400/wk $50/wk less rent

Suburbs near Shelly Beach

The closest suburb to Shelly Beach is Kings Beach, 0.7 km away.

Kings Beach
0.7 km away · income $789/wk · rent $370/wk
Moffat Beach
0.8 km away · income $782/wk · rent $400/wk
Dicky Beach
1.8 km away · income $664/wk · rent $400/wk
Caloundra
1.8 km away · income $584/wk · rent $360/wk
Battery Hill
2.6 km away · income $715/wk · rent $400/wk
Aroona
3.3 km away · income $775/wk · rent $450/wk

Compare Shelly Beach (Sunshine Coast - Qld)

Frequently Asked Questions About Shelly Beach

What is the population of Shelly Beach QLD?

The population of Shelly Beach QLD is 925 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,836 people per km². Shelly Beach is ranked #4,094 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Shelly Beach?

The median personal income in Shelly Beach QLD is $893 per week, or $46,436 per year. The median household income is $2,026 per week. Family income is $2,429 per week. Shelly Beach is ranked #2,215 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Shelly Beach?

Median rent in Shelly Beach QLD is $450 per week ($1,950 per month). Rent represents 22.2% of household income, which is considered affordable. Shelly Beach ranks #1,049 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Shelly Beach?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Shelly Beach QLD 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 QLD is 48 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 Queensland with a population of 925. The median income is $893/wk, which is above the typical QLD suburb ($747/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (22.2% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Brisbane Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 32552. All dollar figures in AUD.