Clarence Town crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
81 recorded in this period, compared with 107 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Clarence Town
Clarence Town is a rural locality situated in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, within the Dungog Shire local government area, bearing the postcode 2321. Located approximately 45 kilometres north of Newcastle, the settlement is positioned on the banks of the Williams River. The surrounding geography is characterised by undulating pastoral land, floodplains, and native bushland. According to the 2021 Australian census, the locality and its immediate surrounds support a small, predominantly Australian-born population engaged in local agriculture, trades, and commuting to nearby regional industrial hubs.
The locality functions as a quiet residential and agricultural hub, offering essential community amenities including a local public school, sports grounds, a general store, and local recreational facilities centered around the river. The Williams River provides significant lifestyle and tourism appeal, frequently utilised for recreational boating, fishing, and camping. As a tight-knit rural community, local life is supported by volunteer groups and community organizations that host regional events and maintain public infrastructure.
Clarence Town holds a notable place in Australian maritime and colonial history, having been established in the early 19th century as one of the colony's earliest inland river ports. Gazetted in 1832, the town grew rapidly due to its strategic position on the Williams River, serving as a vital transport and shipbuilding hub for timber and agricultural produce hauled from the Hunter Valley. Today, the locality retains a high concentration of heritage-listed sites and historic colonial buildings, reflecting its 19th-century origins as a bustling commercial and industrial river settlement.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic violence related assault | 22 | 20 |
| Malicious damage to property | 11 | 12 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 9 | 16 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 7 | 8 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 6 | 3 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 5 | 2 |
| Other theft | 5 | 0 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 4 | 0 |
| Fraud | 3 | 6 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 2 | 2 |
| Arson | 1 | 3 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 1 | 4 |
| Criminal intent | 1 | 0 |
| Offensive conduct | 1 | 0 |
| Sexual assault | 1 | 3 |
| Steal from dwelling | 1 | 5 |
| Trespass | 1 | 1 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 2,265 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.