Balaclava crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
21 recorded in this period, compared with 19 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Balaclava
Balaclava is a rural locality in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, situated within the Wingecarribee Shire council area under the postcode 2575. Geographically, the area is characterized by undulating agricultural land, open pastures, and remnant native bushland, typical of the region's cool-temperate highland environment. Demographically, Balaclava is sparsely populated, consisting primarily of rural landholders, acreage residents, and farming properties, contributing to a quiet, low-density settlement pattern.
Due to its rural nature, Balaclava has limited local commercial amenities, with residents relying on nearby towns such as Bowral, Moss Vale, or Sutton Forest for retail, healthcare, education, and professional services. The local lifestyle is centered around agriculture, horticulture, and private rural living. The area is accessed via a network of secondary rural roads that connect it to the broader Southern Highlands transport network, maintaining strong functional ties to nearby regional hubs while preserving its secluded countryside character.
The locality's history is closely tied to the broader European settlement and agricultural development of the Southern Highlands during the 19th century. Originally inhabited by the Gundungurra people, the area was progressively cleared and partitioned for pastoral and agricultural use following European exploration. While Balaclava features few commercial historic sites or public buildings, the cultural landscape retains elements of its early rural heritage through historic homesteads, farm boundaries, and traditional land-use patterns across the Wingecarribee region.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 5 | 2 |
| Malicious damage to property | 4 | 2 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 2 | 0 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 1 | 1 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 1 | 2 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 1 | 2 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 1 | 0 |
| Other offences | 1 | 2 |
| Other theft | 1 | 0 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 1 | 1 |
| Receiving or handling stolen goods | 1 | 0 |
| Steal from dwelling | 1 | 0 |
| Trespass | 1 | 0 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 574 residents. This is not a current population estimate.
Sources and interpretation
These are police-recorded incident or victim counts, not every unreported incident or a prediction of personal safety. Percentage changes are not tests of statistical significance; small counts need particular care.