Shelly Beach, NSW: suburb profile

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 1,130 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Shelly Beach is England. The most common religion is Catholic (30.7% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. 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).

Population
1,313
Census 2021
Median income
$801/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$423/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
47years
Census 2021

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

Shelly Beach vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Shelly Beach is $801 a week, 5% above the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 949th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $423 a week, $38 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 25.7% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 47, 4 years older 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.
MeasureShelly BeachTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$801/wk$765/wk +5%$766/wk
Household income$1,646/wk$1,704/wk −3%$1,637/wk
Rent$423/wk$385/wk +10%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,200/mo$1,965/mo +12%$1,733/mo
Median age4743 +4 yrs42
Rent share of household income25.7%22.6% +3.1 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 NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Shelly Beach Population

1,313 residents at the 2021 Census.

Shelly Beach Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$801/wk
$41,652 per year
Ranked 3,609 of 14,663
Median Rent
$423/wk
$1,833 per month
Ranked 1,490 of 14,663
Median Age
47years
9 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$2,200/mo
Avg household size: 2.5 · 0.7 per bedroom

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

Shelly Beach Rent Prices & Affordability

26% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,646/wk
Median rent $423/wk
Rent to income 25.7%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Shelly Beach against your income

About $7,133 a month
Median rent $423/wk
Left after rent $1,223/wk
Rent share 25.7%

Shelly Beach Schools

7
schools nearby
5
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: 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, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Shelly Beach, New South Wales: 33.3699°S, 151.4848°E

Shelly Beach Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (7)

People in Shelly Beach

Demographics

Gender Split

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

Population Density

1,130
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

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

England
3.5%
New Zealand
1.1%
Germany
0.8%
Netherlands
0.7%
China
0.4%
India
0.3%
Italy
0.3%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Mandarin
0.5%
Arabic
0.5%
German
0.5%
French
0.4%
Thai
0.3%
Italian
0.2%
Afrikaans
0.0%

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

Ancestry

Australian
44.1%
English
41.6%
Irish
16.0%
Scottish
9.3%
Australian Aboriginal
3.7%
German
3.6%
Italian
2.3%
Dutch
2.2%
Chinese
1.2%
French
1.1%
Maltese
1.1%

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

Catholic
30.7%
No religion
29.9%
Anglican
17.4%
Not stated
8.7%
Uniting Church
2.7%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.9%
Christian (other)
1.6%
Pentecostal
1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

4.3%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

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

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

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

Homes in Shelly Beach

Housing Tenure

Of the 500 occupied private dwellings in Shelly Beach at the 2021 Census, 15.8% were rented, 48.8% owned outright and 33.4% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.4% 7 dwellings
Owned outright
48.8% 244 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
33.4% 167 dwellings
Rented
15.8% 79 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.0% 5 dwellings

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

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

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

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

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

Work, income and education in 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

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

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

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

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

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%

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

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

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

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

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
88.3%
Has need for assistance
4.8%
Need for assistance not stated
7.3%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
103
Arthritis
55
Asthma
46
Heart disease
45
Lung condition
29
Stroke
27
Cancer
26
Diabetes
25
Kidney disease
19
Dementia
6

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
12.9% 132
Did not provide
87.1% 893

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
14.3% 147
Not a volunteer
85.7% 879

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Previously served
3.7% 38
Never served
96.3% 987

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
4
1951: 1960
16
1961: 1970
22
1971: 1980
13
1981: 1990
18
1991: 2000
4
2001: 2010
21
2011: 2015
12
2016
3
2018
3

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

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

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
1,056
Moved from NSW
106
Moved: same area (SA2)
21
Moved from overseas
11

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

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

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

13 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Property Damage
5
Theft
4
Sexual Offences
2
Other Against Person
2

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

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

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Hay (NSW)
Income: $669/wk Rent: $175/wk $248/wk less rent
Balranald
Income: $687/wk Rent: $200/wk $223/wk less rent
Bombala
Income: $725/wk Rent: $215/wk $208/wk less rent
Tumbarumba
Income: $677/wk Rent: $220/wk $203/wk less rent
Girards Hill
Income: $677/wk Rent: $290/wk $133/wk less rent
Boambee
Income: $809/wk Rent: $315/wk $108/wk less rent
Junction Hill
Income: $668/wk Rent: $350/wk $73/wk less rent
Myocum
Income: $738/wk Rent: $380/wk $43/wk less rent

Suburbs near Shelly Beach

The closest suburb to Shelly Beach is Long Jetty, 1.2 km away.

Long Jetty
1.2 km away · income $665/wk · rent $360/wk
Bateau Bay
2.1 km away · income $719/wk · rent $400/wk
Killarney Vale
2.3 km away · income $711/wk · rent $400/wk
Blue Bay
2.3 km away · income $731/wk · rent $380/wk
The Entrance
3.1 km away · income $599/wk · rent $360/wk
Forresters Beach
4.5 km away · income $819/wk · rent $470/wk

Compare Shelly Beach (NSW)

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 1,130 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 typical NSW suburb ($765/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.