Cooranbong crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
258 recorded in this period, compared with 311 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Cooranbong
Cooranbong is a semirural locality situated in the City of Lake Macquarie local government area of New South Wales, carrying the postcode 2265. Located approximately 120 kilometres north of Sydney, the area is geographically defined by its valley setting near the base of the Watagans National Park, bounded to the east by Dora Creek. According to the 2021 Australian census, Cooranbong recorded a population of approximately 6,300 residents, reflecting steady growth driven by recent suburban development alongside its traditional rural footprint.
Local life in Cooranbong is characterised by a blend of rural-residential living and community-focused infrastructure. The locality serves as a significant regional hub for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Australia, hosting Avondale University, the Sydney Adventist Sanitarium's historical presence, and the central headquarters for the denomination. Essential amenities include local shopping facilities, community parks, and educational institutions ranging from primary schools to tertiary levels. The surrounding natural landscape provides residents with access to bushwalking, creek systems, and proximity to the broader Lake Macquarie waterway.
Historically, the area was originally inhabited by the Awabakal people, with the name "Cooranbong" believed to derive from an Aboriginal word meaning rocky creek or water. European settlement commenced in the mid-19th century, initially driven by the timber-felling industry that harvested native cedar and eucalyptus from the surrounding forests. The character of the locality shifted significantly at the end of the 19th century when the Adventist Church established Avondale College (now University) in 1897 under the guidance of church pioneer Ellen G. White, permanently shaping the cultural, educational, and architectural heritage of the community.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Malicious damage to property | 29 | 30 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 24 | 36 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 23 | 22 |
| Sexual assault | 22 | 16 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 17 | 14 |
| Fraud | 17 | 19 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 16 | 19 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 14 | 10 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 13 | 29 |
| Other theft | 12 | 12 |
| Steal from dwelling | 12 | 9 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 10 | 6 |
| Arson | 7 | 7 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 7 | 8 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 6 | 8 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 5 | 8 |
| Pornography offences | 4 | 1 |
| Breach bail conditions | 3 | 6 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 7,077 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.