Population
+11.4% since 2016.
Shellharbour, NSW
Shellharbour had a population of 76,271 at the 2021 Census (+11.4% since 2016). Median age 39.3. Median weekly household income $1,647. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.
Shellharbour at a glance
What the 2021 Census says, compared with New South Wales.
Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Shellharbour's population grew by 11.4% to 76,271, faster than New South Wales as a whole (+7.9%). Its median age of 39.3 is close to the NSW average (38.4). Children under 10 make up 12.4% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 13.0%.
27.1% of households rent, a smaller share than the NSW average of 33.1%. 34.3% own their home outright. Almost every home is a house; flats and apartments are 4.7% of homes. The 2021 Census counted 27,543 households.
The median household earns $1,647 a week, below the NSW average of $1,829. Renters pay a median $416 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $2,052 a month.
16.9% of residents were born overseas, fewer than the NSW average of 31.0%. 10.3% use a language other than English at home. 39.5% report no religion, higher than the NSW average (35.7%).
Key figures
2021 Census, Shellharbour beside NSW and Australia.
| Measure | Shellharbour | NSW | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,271 | 8,072,171 | 25,422,828 |
| Growth since 2016 | +11.4% | +7.9% | +8.6% |
| Median age | 39.3 | 38.4 | 38.2 |
| Households | 27,543 | 2,900,456 | 9,275,123 |
| Flats and apartments | 4.7% | 21.8% | 14.3% |
| Renting | 27.1% | 33.1% | 31.1% |
| Owned outright | 34.3% | 32.0% | 31.4% |
| Median household income a week | $1,647 | $1,829 | $1,747 |
| Median rent a week | $416 | $423 | $376 |
| Median mortgage repayment a month | $2,052 | $2,142 | $1,866 |
| Born overseas | 16.9% | 31.0% | 29.3% |
| Other language at home | 10.3% | 28.2% | 23.6% |
| No religion | 39.5% | 35.7% | 41.9% |
Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built
Population and age
Each census since 2011, and the age profile in 2021.
Age
Median age 39.3, against 38.4 for New South Wales.
Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built
Cultural background
The largest groups in Shellharbour at the 2021 Census.
Ancestry
Languages at home
Country of birth
Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built
Around Shellharbour
The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.
Explore Shellharbour in Censible
Every census figure for Shellharbour, mapped and compared with any other place. A free account takes a minute.