Clifton crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
3 recorded in this period, compared with 6 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Clifton
Clifton is a coastal suburb located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, situated approximately 25 kilometres north of Wollongong within the City of Wollongong local government area (postcode 2515). Positioned on a narrow strip of land between the Tasman Sea and the dramatic Illawarra Escarpment, the locality experiences a constrained geography that has historically shaped its settlement patterns. Due to its steep terrain and limited land area, Clifton has a very small resident population, often recording low demographic figures relative to surrounding suburbs.
Local life and amenities in Clifton are heavily influenced by its proximity to both the ocean and the escarpment, offering residents a quiet, scenic coastal environment. The suburb is traversed by the historic Grand Pacific Drive, featuring the prominent Sea Cliff Bridge, which extends northward from Clifton over the ocean to bypass landslide-prone sections of Lawrence Hargrave Drive. While Clifton itself has few commercial amenities, it relies on neighbouring localities within the 2515 postcode, such as Coalcliff and Thirroul, for retail, schooling, and broader community services.
Historically, Clifton developed as a coal-mining settlement in the late 19th century, driven by the extraction of the region's rich Illawarra coal seams. The Clifton coal mine, which operated from the late 1800s, was one of the earliest deep-mining ventures in the northern Illawarra area, with some operations historically extending beneath the ocean floor. The heritage of the suburb is tied to this industrial past, as well as the engineering challenges posed by the sheer cliffs that define its landscape, eventually necessitating major modern transport solutions like the Sea Cliff Bridge.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Liquor offences | 1 | 0 |
| Malicious damage to property | 1 | 2 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 1 | 0 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 35 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.