Cobar crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
529 recorded in this period, compared with 516 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Cobar
Cobar is a town and locality situated in the Orana region of central-western New South Wales, within the Cobar Shire local government area (postcode 2835). Located approximately 700 kilometres north-west of Sydney along the Barrier Highway, the area is characterised by an arid to semi-arid landscape. The locality supports a population of approximately 4,000 residents, with a significant proportion of the workforce engaged in the mining sector and associated support services.
Local life in Cobar revolves around its primary industry of mining, alongside extensive pastoral and agricultural activities, particularly sheep and cattle grazing. The town functions as an important regional service hub, providing essential amenities including health services, local retail, education facilities, and recreational spaces. Community infrastructure features sporting clubs, parks, and cultural sites that cater to the local population and transient workers.
European settlement in the area began in the 1870s following the discovery of significant copper deposits by a group of prospectors, including Charles Campbell and Thomas Barton. The town's name is often linked to the Aboriginal word 'Kubbur', referring to red ochre, though some sources suggest alternative origins related to the mining discovery. Cobar subsequently grew into one of New South Wales' premier mineral-producing regions, with gold, lead, zinc, and silver also mined. Heritage sites, including the Great Cobar Museum, preserve the region's industrial and pastoral past.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 48 | 77 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 43 | 29 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 41 | 52 |
| Malicious damage to property | 41 | 51 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 32 | 28 |
| Breach bail conditions | 30 | 42 |
| Sexual assault | 28 | 9 |
| Other offences | 24 | 25 |
| Trespass | 24 | 19 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 22 | 9 |
| Other theft | 18 | 10 |
| Fraud | 17 | 24 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 16 | 14 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 13 | 12 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 13 | 7 |
| Steal from dwelling | 12 | 11 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 11 | 13 |
| Liquor offences | 11 | 6 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 3,603 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.