Barrack Heights crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
386 recorded in this period, compared with 405 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Barrack Heights
Barrack Heights is a residential suburb located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, within the City of Shellharbour local government area and bearing the postcode 2528. Situated approximately 100 kilometres south of Sydney and just inland from Lake Illawarra and the coast, the suburb is characterized by an established urban layout with a mix of detached housing and medium-density developments. According to standard demographic profiles, it is a diverse and working-class community that accommodates families, couples, and single residents, reflecting broader regional population trends in the Illawarra.
Local life in Barrack Heights is supported by a range of neighbourhood amenities designed to serve its residential population. The suburb features local shopping strips, parks, and community facilities, while being closely positioned to larger commercial hubs such as Stockland Shellharbour for more extensive retail, dining, and professional services. Educational needs are met by local public schools, and the area benefits from proximity to regional transport networks, including local bus routes and nearby train stations, connecting residents to Wollongong and Sydney.
Historically, the land encompassing Barrack Heights and the broader Shellharbour region was traditionally inhabited by the Wadi Wadi people, an Aboriginal Australian language group of the Dharawal nation. European settlement in the 19th century initially transformed the area for agricultural use, particularly dairy farming and cedar cutting. Through the mid-to-late 20th century, as the population of the Illawarra expanded due to industrial growth in nearby Wollongong and Port Kembla, Barrack Heights was progressively developed into the residential suburb it is today.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 59 | 43 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 48 | 34 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 39 | 41 |
| Malicious damage to property | 30 | 38 |
| Fraud | 26 | 33 |
| Breach bail conditions | 22 | 35 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 19 | 19 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 16 | 21 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 13 | 10 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 13 | 27 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 12 | 15 |
| Steal from dwelling | 12 | 11 |
| Sexual assault | 11 | 7 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 8 | 14 |
| Other theft | 8 | 0 |
| Possession and/or use of amphetamines | 7 | 7 |
| Other offences | 6 | 5 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 6 | 6 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 6,003 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.