Cessnock crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
2,426 recorded in this period, compared with 2,179 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Cessnock
Cessnock is a city and locality situated in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, located within the City of Cessnock local government area (postcode 2325). Positioned approximately 120 kilometres north-northwest of Sydney and 45 kilometres west of Newcastle, the area serves as a gateway to the famous Hunter Valley wine region. According to the 2021 Australian census, the urban centre and its surrounding locality support a growing population, reflecting its transition from a traditional industrial base to a regional residential and tourism hub.
The locality functions as the primary commercial and administrative heart of the Cessnock local government area, featuring retail precincts, medical services, and educational facilities including local primary and secondary schools. Parks, sporting complexes, and community infrastructure support local daily life, while the broader region is internationally recognised for its vineyards, cellar doors, accommodation, and hospitality venues that draw significant tourism traffic.
Historically, Cessnock developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a major coal-mining town following the establishment of the South Maitland coalfields. The extraction industry shaped the economic, social, and demographic fabric of the area for decades. Although large-scale underground mining has largely concluded, the heritage of this era is preserved in local architecture, monuments, and historical societies, alongside a broader regional transition towards agriculture, viticulture, and services.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Breach bail conditions | 340 | 326 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 247 | 216 |
| Malicious damage to property | 225 | 235 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 197 | 167 |
| Steal from retail store | 151 | 99 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 150 | 100 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 125 | 146 |
| Fraud | 100 | 82 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 100 | 94 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 80 | 74 |
| Other theft | 73 | 51 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 66 | 57 |
| Trespass | 56 | 50 |
| Sexual assault | 51 | 52 |
| Possession and/or use of amphetamines | 48 | 22 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 43 | 54 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 38 | 47 |
| Steal from dwelling | 38 | 46 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 16,300 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.