Dungog crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
130 recorded in this period, compared with 102 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Dungog
Dungog is a historic country town located in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, situated approximately 215 kilometres north of Sydney. It serves as the primary administrative centre for the Dungog Shire local government area (postcode 2420) and is nestled within a picturesque valley on the banks of the Williams River. The surrounding landscape is characterised by rolling hills, agricultural land, and proximity to the southern reaches of the Barrington Tops National Park. The wider locality supports a stable rural population engaged largely in agriculture, forestry, and tourism.
The town provides essential local services and amenities, functioning as a commercial and social hub for the surrounding rural community. Dungog features a central business district with heritage storefronts, local retail shops, medical services, and educational facilities, including primary and secondary schools. The locality is connected to Newcastle and Sydney via the regional rail network on the North Coast line. Recreational life is closely tied to the natural environment, with the Williams River and nearby national parks offering opportunities for camping, fishing, and bushwalking.
Originally inhabited by the Guringai and Worimi Aboriginal peoples, European settlement in the Dungog area began in the early 19th century following pastoral expansion into the Hunter Valley. The town was officially surveyed and gazetted in the 1830s, growing steadily as a service centre for the timber-getting and agricultural industries. Dungog retains a high concentration of intact Victorian and Federation-era architecture, earning the town a reputation for its well-preserved historical streetscapes and heritage buildings, such as the Dungog Court House and the Roxy Theatre.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Malicious damage to property | 17 | 7 |
| Trespass | 14 | 2 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 10 | 7 |
| Steal from retail store | 10 | 8 |
| Other theft | 9 | 10 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 8 | 1 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 8 | 14 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 6 | 4 |
| Fraud | 5 | 3 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 5 | 4 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 5 | 9 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 5 | 6 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 5 | 5 |
| Other offences | 4 | 1 |
| Breach bail conditions | 3 | 0 |
| Other drug offences | 3 | 0 |
| Other offences against the person | 3 | 0 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 2 | 1 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 1,983 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.