Empire Vale crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
11 recorded in this period, compared with 6 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Empire Vale
Empire Vale is a rural locality in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, situated within the Ballina Shire local government area (postcode 2478). Geographically, the area is characterized by low-lying, fertile alluvial plains associated with the Richmond River floodplain, supporting a primarily agrarian landscape. Due to its rural nature, the population is small and dispersed, with residents typically residing on acreage or working farms.
The local economy and lifestyle are closely tied to agriculture, with the surrounding land predominantly utilized for sugarcane cultivation, macadamia orchards, and cattle grazing. While Empire Vale itself lacks a commercial town center, it is positioned just south of larger regional hubs like Alstonville and Ballina, which provide essential services, high schools, health care, and retail amenities. Local transport relies on regional road networks connecting the farming community to the broader Northern Rivers infrastructure.
European settlement in the area dates back to the 19th century, driven by the timber industry, river transport, and the subsequent establishment of the sugar cane industry, which remains a cornerstone of the local agricultural identity. The locality’s heritage is reflected in its historic rural properties, remnants of early drainage and farming infrastructure, and its enduring connection to the traditional custodians of the land, the Bundjalung nation.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Malicious damage to property | 2 | 0 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 2 | 0 |
| Blackmail and extortion | 1 | 0 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 1 | 0 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 1 | 0 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 1 | 1 |
| Other drug offences | 1 | 0 |
| Steal from dwelling | 1 | 0 |
| Trespass | 1 | 0 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 185 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.