Shell Cove, NSW 2529
Shell Cove property market
Most of Shell Cove's activity is house sales, with 140 sales (up 6.9%) at around $1.476M (up 6.6%) as of July 2026, taking about 46 days to sell (up from 45 days last year), mostly 4-bedroom (around 55%).
House rentals sit just behind, with 115 leases (sharply down 32%) at $905 a week (up 7.1%), renting out in about 19 days (down from 21 days last year), mostly 4-bedroom (around 55%). Then come 53 unit rentals at $820 a week (up), one of the country's least in-demand unit rental markets. 38 unit sales at around $1.238M (less sought-after than most unit markets).
Who lives hereA high-income, mostly owner-occupied, family-oriented suburb.
House covers houses, duplexes, semi-detached and terraces; Unit covers apartments, units, townhouses and villas.
Shell Cove demographics & population
Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing and Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) 2021 · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.
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InsideWho lives here · What homes cost to buy & rent · How fast homes are selling · How much is for sale or rent · How it compares to nearby suburbs · Schools nearby
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Who lives in Shell Cove?
The age structure, household make-up, and cultural fabric of the people who call this suburb home.
Share of all residents by 5-year band · hover a band for the count + split
A strongly multicultural community with deep migrant heritage.
2020–21 understated — COVID border closures.
Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.
Housing & affordability in Shell Cove
What it costs to live here, who owns versus rents, and the shape of the housing stock.
Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.
Income & employment in Shell Cove
Incomes, employment, and the occupation mix of the people who live here.
A typical household pulls in about 3.6× the typical individual — a multi-earner area.
Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.
Getting around Shell Cove
How people get to work, and how car-dependent the suburb is — the clearest tell of inner-urban versus outer-suburban living.
Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.
Education · ACARA My School 2025
Schools in and around Shell Cove
1 school inside Shell Cove, plus the closest options around it. Families can choose from 1 primary school in Shell Cove and its surrounds — no high school sits within this radius. Distances are straight-line from the suburb centre and are not enrolment catchments — always confirm zones with the school.
ICSEA is ACARA’s official measure of a school’s socio-educational advantage — based mainly on parents’ education and occupation, plus the school’s location and student mix.
- Within Shell Cove · 1Order by
- 1Shell Cove Public SchoolGovernment · Primary · Co-ed · Years K-6 · Within suburbState Rank—English—Maths—Students337Multilingual50%ICSEA Rank50th
Why are some State Rank and star ratings blank? Schools can choose not to publish their results. In practice, schools that score well above their state average almost always publish theirs — so a blank rating more often reflects a school opting out than a top result being hidden. Academic results also tend to rise with ICSEA Rank, so higher-ICSEA schools more often carry a strong State Rank as well.
School profile and ICSEA data sourced from ACARA — © Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (data year 2025) · State Rank & star columns are Micromarkets-compiled academic ratings from publicly available school results · Distances are straight-line from the suburb centre, not catchments.
Turnover
How settled or transient the community is — and where newcomers came from.
Shell Cove median house price & rent
Headline price, rent, yield and time on market for Shell Cove — choose a property type and size below.
House & unit prices by bedroom
Every segment this suburb tracks — sales and rentals side by side, ranked by total activity over the last twelve months.
Shell Cove property growth
Where each segment sits against its peers in the chosen geography — past the midline means it's outperforming the rest.
Market demandHow fast this market is moving — a velocity index built from trailing-year transaction volume and median days on market. Strong volume lifts the score; days on market drags it down, with the drag growing sharply once listings start lingering. Ranked against peers in the chosen geography.
Houses
Units
Buying vs renting in Shell Cove
What it costs each week to own a property versus renting the same one — positive means buying carries the premium, negative means rent covers the mortgage.
How strong is demand, and which way is it heading?
Two questions on one chart — how strong demand is right now, and which way it's heading year-on-year.
Sales market velocity
Shell Cove against the neighbourhood
Eight diagnostic views cutting the data a different way each time — Shell Cove in blue, peers in colour.
How fast — and is it getting faster?
Housing supply & months of stock
How long current listings would take to clear at the recent rate of sales or leases. Critical shortage and Oversupply only fire at the genuine tails of the national distribution — sales tip in under 0.7 months, rentals far faster, under 0.3.
Sales market
| Segment | Band | Months of supply left | YoYYoY change12-month change in months of supply. Down means stock is tightening (fewer months than a year ago); up means stock is loosening. | ListedListedActive listings in this segment right now, derived from months of supply multiplied by the recent transaction rate. | SoldSold (last year)Total sold transactions completed in this segment over the last 12 months. | Per monthPer monthAverage monthly absorption — how many properties are sold each month in this segment, over the last 12 months. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced | 2.1 | ▼ -1.9 | 4 | 23 | 1.9 | |
| Balanced | 2.7 | — | 5 | 23 | 1.9 | |
| Loose | 4.0 | ▼ -0.6 | 8 | 23 | 1.9 | |
| Loose | 5.3 | ▲ +1.9 | 10 | 23 | 1.9 | |
| Loose | 5.6 | ▲ +3.6 | 11 | 23 | 1.9 | |
| Loose | 5.8 | ▲ +1.2 | 11 | 23 | 1.9 | |
| Loose | 6.2 | ▲ +2.2 | 12 | 23 | 1.9 |
Rental market
| Segment | Band | Months of supply left | YoYYoY change12-month change in months of supply. Down means stock is tightening (fewer months than a year ago); up means stock is loosening. | ListedListedActive listings in this segment right now, derived from months of supply multiplied by the recent transaction rate. | LeasedLeased (last year)Total leased transactions completed in this segment over the last 12 months. | Per monthPer monthAverage monthly absorption — how many properties are leased each month in this segment, over the last 12 months. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tight | 0.4 | ▼ -0.3 | 1 | 26 | 2.2 | |
| Tight | 0.4 | ▼ -2.7 | 1 | 26 | 2.2 | |
| Tight | 0.5 | ▼ -0.4 | 1 | 26 | 2.2 | |
| National typical | 0.7 | ▲ +0.7 | 2 | 26 | 2.2 | |
| Loose | 1.2 | ▼ -0.5 | 3 | 26 | 2.2 | |
| Oversupply | 1.9 | ▲ +1.0 | 4 | 26 | 2.2 | |
| Oversupply | 2.3 | ▲ +0.3 | 5 | 26 | 2.2 | |
| Oversupply | 2.5 | ▲ +2.1 | 5 | 26 | 2.2 |
Who's transacting — buyers or tenants?
Out of every property transaction in this suburb, what share are sales versus leases — each point a rolling twelve-month window.
Shell Cove — Units & Houses, all bedrooms
Shell Cove median house price & rent history
Each tape traces one metric across sixty months for the selected segment — every point a trailing twelve-month figure, matching the headline KPIs above.
Five-year summaryAs of Jun 2026, the median house sale price in Shell Cove rose from $625k (Jul 2021) to $883k (Jun 2026) — +41.1% growth over five years — peaking at $1.26M between Oct 2024 and Sep 2025. Median house rent went from $533/wk to $807/wk (+51.4%) over the same period. For units, the median sale price rose from $671k to $915k (+36.3%), with rent up from $413/wk to $683/wk (+65.4%) over the same period.
Suburbs near Shell Cove: prices compared
The nearest suburbs to Shell Cove, ranked by distance — each lined up against Shell Cove on the same measures, so the differences jump out at a glance.
Suburbs like Shell Cove
Suburbs anywhere in NSW that behave like Shell Cove — matched on price, growth, selling speed and demand, not on distance. A shortlist of markets that move the same way — including ones far away you'd never think to compare. (Want the suburbs right next door instead? See Nearby markets above.)
Shell Cove vs Gerringong: the closest sales-market match trades at a median of $848k against Shell Cove's $959k — about 12% lower, with homes selling in 25 days versus 45 days here.
Comparable sales markets to Shell Cove: Gerringong house prices, Shellharbour property market, Colebee property growth, Kiama property growth and Balgownie property growth.
Shell Cove's closest rental-market twins: Balgownie house prices, Shellharbour property market, Colebee property growth, Kiama property growth and Gerringong house prices. Each link opens that suburb's full market report.
Frequently asked · Shell Cove
26 data-driven answers about Shell Cove's property market — every one computed from the metrics above.
What things cost
Prices, rent, yield, ownership costWhat is the median house price in Shell Cove?
#The median house price in Shell Cove, NSW 2529 is $959k as of June 2026, based on 31 sales over the past 12 months. Houses there have moved +50.0% year-on-year. Prices vary by bedroom count, from compact two-bedroom homes to larger four-bedroom houses. See the bedroom-level breakdown below for 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom medians.
What is the median unit price in Shell Cove?
#The median unit price in Shell Cove, NSW 2529 is $959k as of June 2026, based on 31 sales over the past 12 months. Units have moved +50.0% year-on-year and currently trade at roughly 100% of the median house price.
How much does it cost to rent in Shell Cove?
#The median weekly house rent in Shell Cove is $590 as of June 2026, drawn from 22 leases over the past 12 months. Units rent for around $590 per week. House rents have moved +50.0% year-on-year. Current vacancy pressure is shown in the supply section above.
How much is rent for a 3 bedroom house in Shell Cove?
#A 3 bedroom house in Shell Cove rents for a median $590 per week as of June 2026, drawn from 22 leases over the past 12 months. Across other house sizes: 2-bedroom $590/week, 4-bedroom $590/week. Unit rents: 1-bedroom $590/week, 2-bedroom $590/week, 3-bedroom $590/week. Figures cover only segments with enough recent leases to be statistically meaningful; sparse segments are excluded. The segment breakdown covers rent, yield and days on market for every property type and bedroom count.
What is the gross rental yield in Shell Cove?
#Gross rental yield in Shell Cove is 3.09% for houses and 3.09% for units as of June 2026, compared with the NSW unit median of 4.38%. Gross yield is annual rent divided by purchase price — it doesn't account for ownership costs like council rates, strata, maintenance or vacancy.
How much is a 3 bedroom house in Shell Cove?
#As of June 2026, Shell Cove medians by bedroom count:
| Property | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | 4 bed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houses | — | $959k | $959k | $959k | $959k |
| Units | $959k | $959k | $959k | — | $959k |
Figures cover only segments with enough recent transactions to be statistically meaningful; sparse segments are excluded.
What does it cost to own versus rent at the Shell Cove median?
#At the median Shell Cove house ($959k purchase, $590/week rent), weekly mortgage repayments sit at roughly $995 — about $405 more per week than renting. That gap is the ownership premium. For the median unit ($959k purchase, $590/week rent), repayments run about $995 per week. Figures assume 80% LVR, a 6.0% interest rate and a 30-year principal-and-interest loan.
How the market is moving
Speed, supply, growth, cycle phaseWhat are Shell Cove's property market trends?
#Shell Cove's property market trends to June 2026: house prices rose +50.0% year-on-year and units +50.0%; weekly house rents moved +50.0%; homes now sell in a median 45 days — faster than a year ago by 16; sales supply sits at 5.3 months (very loose). Read together — price, rent, selling speed and supply — they show which way the Shell Cove market is leaning. The 5-year tape and demand cycle charts above plot the full trajectory.
What does the data say about Shell Cove as an investment?
#As of June 2026 in Shell Cove, house prices rose +50.0% over the year, gross rental yield is 3.09% against a NSW median of 2.80%, houses take a median 45 days to sell, sales supply is 5.3 months (very loose). Capital growth, rental yield, selling speed and supply are the signals investors weigh — but these figures describe the market, not a recommendation. This is data, not financial advice; always do your own research and consider a licensed adviser.
How quickly do houses sell in Shell Cove?
#Houses in Shell Cove sell in a median 45 days on market as of June 2026, with units clearing slightly similarly at 45 days. Days on market have tightened by 16 days versus a year ago. Faster clearance typically coincides with stronger buyer demand and lower supply.
Is Shell Cove a tight or loose property market right now?
#Shell Cove's sales market sits at 5.3 months of supply for houses as of June 2026 — classified as Very Loose against the Australian distribution. Under 1.7 months is Severe (extreme shortage); over 4.5 months is Loose. The rental side is tighter still at 0.4 months of supply.
Have property prices in Shell Cove gone up or down?
#House prices in Shell Cove moved +50.0% over the 12 months to June 2026, while units moved +50.0%. The 5-year tape above plots the full monthly trajectory — showing where the market changed character rather than just crossing round numbers.
How active is the rental market in Shell Cove?
#Shell Cove's house rental market sits at 0.4 months of supply as of June 2026 — classified as Severe (extreme shortage), with 26 houses leased over the past 12 months. Units sit at 0.4 months. Tighter supply typically corresponds to faster letting and upward pressure on rents.
Where is Shell Cove in its property market cycle?
#Shell Cove's house market is currently in the 'softer_weakening' phase as of June 2026 — combining above-median sales velocity nationally with year-on-year tightening in days on market. The demand cycle chart above plots all eight segments on the same demand-versus-direction axes.
How it compares
Vs state, vs nearby, vs popularHow does Shell Cove compare to other NSW suburbs?
#Shell Cove's median house price ($959k) is 36% above the NSW median ($706k) as of June 2026. On selling speed, houses clear in 45 days vs 23 days state median. On gross yield, Shell Cove sits at 3.09% vs 2.80% state median.
How does Shell Cove compare to neighbouring suburbs?
#Shell Cove's most-similar nearby market is Gerringong (11.4 km away) with a median house price of $848k — about 12% cheaper. The Nearby and Similar markets sections above rank every peer within radius and by composite similarity across price, days on market, yield, ownership cost and cycle phase.
What's the most popular property type in Shell Cove?
#The most-transacted segment in Shell Cove over the 12 months to June 2026 is 2 bed houses with 23 sales. 3 bed houses come second at 23 sales. The buying-versus-renting section above breaks down the top segments with weekly mortgage, rent and ownership-cost detail.
How many properties were sold and leased in Shell Cove last year?
#Shell Cove recorded 23 house sales and 23 unit sales over the 12 months to June 2026 — a combined 46 transactions. On the rental side, 26 houses and 26 units were leased. Segments with statistically thin samples are excluded from displayed figures.
About the area
Population, income, who lives here, schoolsWhat postcode is Shell Cove in?
#Shell Cove is in postcode 2529, in the Illawarra region of NSW. Addresses there are written as Shell Cove, NSW 2529.
What is the population of Shell Cove?
#Shell Cove, NSW 2529 is home to 6,791 residents (ABS Census 2021). The median resident age is 32, and the average household holds 2.0 people. The "Who lives here" section above breaks the community down by age, life stage and tenure.
What is the median household income in Shell Cove?
#The median household in Shell Cove earns $2k per week — roughly $101k a year (ABS Census 2021). Median personal income runs $536/week. Income, rent-to-income and mortgage-to-income context sits in the "Who lives here" section above.
What is the unemployment rate in Shell Cove?
#The unemployment rate in Shell Cove is 50.0% (ABS Census 2021). That sits right around the median for Australian suburbs. The rate counts people who are working or actively looking for work — not a share of all residents. Workforce participation sits at 50%. The local economy section above covers incomes, employment status and the occupation mix.
Do people own or rent in Shell Cove?
#Shell Cove is mostly owner-occupied: about 100% of households are owner-occupiers and 50% rent (ABS Census 2021). Of owners, 50% own outright and 50% are paying off a mortgage.
What schools are near Shell Cove?
#Shell Cove has 73 schools within reach, 1 of them inside the suburb itself — including Shell Cove Public School. The Schools section above maps each one with sector, year range, enrolment, Micromarkets-compiled academic ratings and ICSEA (ACARA).
Is Shell Cove a good place to live?
#Shell Cove, NSW 2529 has a population of 6,791, a median age of 32, a median household income around $2k/week, 50% of households renting (ABS Census 2021). There are 73 schools within reach. Whether it's the right fit depends on your priorities — these figures describe the community, housing mix and amenity rather than offer a verdict.
About this data
Methodology and update cadenceWhen was this Shell Cove market data last updated?
#This Shell Cove market data was last updated July 2026, covering the 12 months to June 2026. Figures are computed monthly from 12-month rolling windows of recorded sales and leases, with five years of monthly history behind the trend charts. Methodology, glossary and data sources are linked in the footer.