Cooks Gap crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
23 recorded in this period, compared with 10 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Cooks Gap
Cooks Gap is a rural locality situated in the Central Tablelands region of New South Wales, within the Mid-Western Regional Council local government area and the 2850 postcode. The area is characterized by undulating agricultural land, native bushland, and the prominent geographic feature of Cooks Gap itself, a mountain pass on the Castlereagh Highway north of Mudgee. Due to its rural nature, the population is very small, primarily comprising residents engaged in local agriculture, grazing, and lifestyle properties.
As a quiet country locality, Cooks Gap has minimal commercial amenities, relying heavily on nearby regional hubs such as Mudgee and Gulgong for retail, healthcare, and educational services. Local life is centered around rural primary production, community-based interactions, and the natural environment of the surrounding Great Dividing Range foothills. The Castlereagh Highway serves as the primary transport corridor traversing the area, connecting regional centers to the north and south.
Historically, the locality derives its name from the mountain pass, which was a significant route for early explorers, pastoralists, and transport operators navigating the rugged terrain of the Central West. The broader region has a rich history tied to nineteenth-century pastoral settlement, timber-getting, and the historic transport routes that linked the interior of New South Wales to coastal markets. While few heritage buildings remain in the immediate gap, the landscape retains strong historical associations with early colonial expansion and regional infrastructure development.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 4 | 0 |
| Other drug offences | 3 | 0 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 3 | 1 |
| Arson | 2 | 0 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 2 | 0 |
| Steal from dwelling | 2 | 0 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 1 | 0 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 1 | 1 |
| Malicious damage to property | 1 | 0 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 1 | 1 |
| Possession and/or use of amphetamines | 1 | 0 |
| Sexual assault | 1 | 1 |
| Trespass | 1 | 2 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 549 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.