Coolah crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
103 recorded in this period, compared with 112 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Coolah
Coolah is a rural town located in the Central West region of New South Wales, within the Warrumbungle Shire local government area (postcode 2843). Situated approximately 390 kilometres north-west of Sydney, the locality lies in a picturesque valley near the headwaters of the Talbragar River, flanked by the prominent Coolah Tops National Park. According to the 2021 Australian census, the town and surrounding district support a population of roughly 1,200 residents, whose economy is primarily driven by agricultural enterprises, including sheep, cattle, and cereal cropping.
The town serves as a commercial and social hub for the surrounding rural community, featuring essential local amenities such as primary and secondary schooling, medical services, sporting facilities, and traditional country retail businesses. Coolah is well-regarded for its natural assets, notably the nearby Coolah Tops, which attract visitors for camping, bushwalking, and birdwatching amidst old-growth snow gum forests and waterfalls.
European settlement in the Coolah district began in the early 19th century following exploration by Allan Cunningham in 1823, who traversed the region during his search for pastoral lands. The name "Coolah" is derived from an Aboriginal word, believed to mean "the place of the jumping kangaroo" or referring to a native log used for water storage. The town developed steadily through the late 1800s as a service centre for the expanding agricultural frontier, leaving a legacy of historic buildings and heritage sites that reflect its pastoral origins.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Breach bail conditions | 14 | 2 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 12 | 9 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 10 | 14 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 9 | 14 |
| Fraud | 7 | 0 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 7 | 12 |
| Malicious damage to property | 6 | 13 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 6 | 3 |
| Other offences | 5 | 5 |
| Receiving or handling stolen goods | 5 | 0 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 4 | 2 |
| Resist or hinder officer | 3 | 0 |
| Arson | 2 | 0 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 2 | 4 |
| Steal from dwelling | 2 | 4 |
| Trespass | 2 | 8 |
| Escape custody | 1 | 0 |
| Offensive conduct | 1 | 0 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 1,262 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.