Blackbutt crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
94 recorded in this period, compared with 98 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Blackbutt
Blackbutt 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 2529. Situated approximately 100 kilometres south of Sydney and just inland from the coastal hub of Shellharbour, the locality is characterized by a mix of established residential housing and pockets of native bushland. The demographic profile is predominantly family-oriented, featuring a stable population that relies on neighboring commercial and industrial centers for employment and higher-order services.
Local life in Blackbutt centers primarily around suburban living, supported by local parks, green spaces, and community infrastructure. The suburb derives its name from the prominent Blackbutt trees (*Eucalyptus pilularis*) native to the area, which contribute to its leafy, suburban aesthetic. Residents access retail, dining, and professional services in adjacent suburbs such as Shellharbour City Centre and Albion Park, while local road networks provide connectivity to the wider Illawarra region, including Wollongong and Kiama.
Historically, the land upon which Blackbutt sits is part of the traditional country of the Wadi Wadi people of the Dharawal nation. Following European settlement, the area transitioned from timber-getting and agricultural uses—primarily dairy farming—into a residential suburb to accommodate the post-war and late-20th-century population growth of the Shellharbour LGA. Urban development largely accelerated in the latter decades of the twentieth century, transforming the semi-rural landscape into the integrated residential community seen today.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 23 | 10 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 12 | 7 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 7 | 13 |
| Malicious damage to property | 6 | 7 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 6 | 4 |
| Steal from dwelling | 5 | 1 |
| Breach bail conditions | 4 | 3 |
| Fraud | 4 | 7 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 4 | 4 |
| Other offences | 4 | 3 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 4 | 1 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 3 | 5 |
| Blackmail and extortion | 2 | 0 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 2 | 10 |
| Receiving or handling stolen goods | 2 | 0 |
| Arson | 1 | 2 |
| Dealing, trafficking in amphetamines | 1 | 0 |
| Possession and/or use of amphetamines | 1 | 1 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 3,291 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.