Bourke crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
1,355 recorded in this period, compared with 1,146 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Bourke
Bourke is a remote town and locality situated in north-western New South Wales, positioned on the south bank of the Darling River (Baaka). Serving as the administrative center for the Bourke Shire local government area within the 2840 postcode, the region covers a vast arid and semi-arid landscape. According to the 2021 Australian census, the broader Bourke LGA has a population of approximately 2,600 residents, a significant portion of whom identify as Indigenous Australians. The economy is traditionally anchored by agriculture, particularly sheep and cattle grazing, alongside irrigated cotton farming along the river.
The town provides essential regional services, functioning as a civic and commercial hub for surrounding pastoral properties and remote communities. Local amenities include health services, schools, sporting facilities, and regional administration offices. The Darling River serves as a focal point for the community, supporting local recreation and tourism, which centers on the area's distinct outback environment and riverine ecosystems. Bourke is accessible via major freight and transport routes, including the Mitchell Highway, connecting it to central New South Wales and southern Queensland.
Historically, Bourke holds a prominent place in Australian exploration and colonial development. Established as a strategic outpost in the 19th century due to its location on the Darling River, it developed into a major inland port during the paddle-steamer era of the late 1800s, facilitating the wool and pastoral trade. The town’s heritage is preserved through several historic buildings, museums, and sites of significance to both European pioneers and the local Aboriginal peoples, whose custodianship dates back tens of thousands of years. The phrase "back of Bourke" entered the Australian lexicon as a colloquialism for a remote, faraway place.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Breach bail conditions | 228 | 223 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 157 | 109 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 132 | 112 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 128 | 123 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 121 | 96 |
| Malicious damage to property | 107 | 78 |
| Trespass | 94 | 55 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 45 | 42 |
| Steal from retail store | 37 | 22 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 29 | 11 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 25 | 33 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 24 | 36 |
| Other offences | 24 | 10 |
| Steal from dwelling | 24 | 27 |
| Fraud | 22 | 17 |
| Sexual assault | 20 | 24 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 19 | 10 |
| Other theft | 18 | 18 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 1,699 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.