Ettalong Beach crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
362 recorded in this period, compared with 317 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Ettalong Beach
Ettalong Beach is a coastal locality situated on the Central Coast of New South Wales within the Central Coast Council local government area and carries the postcode 2257. Positioned on the southern shores of the Central Coast, it overlooks Broken Bay and Brisbane Water, offering a sheltered coastal environment adjacent to neighboring Umina Beach and Wagstaffe. Demographically, the area functions primarily as a residential suburb and a popular holiday destination, characterized by a significant proportion of retirees alongside families and weekend visitors.
The locality serves as a commercial and recreational hub for the Woy Woy Peninsula, featuring a central retail strip along Ocean View Road that includes supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, and specialty stores. The Ettalong Beach waterfront provides public amenities such as a patrolled surf beach, extensive foreshore parks, a cycleway, and a dedicated ferry terminal. This terminal operates a regular passenger ferry service linking Ettalong Beach to Palm Beach in Sydney's northern suburbs, facilitating both tourism and commuter travel.
Historically, the area was traditionally inhabited by the Darkinjung people before European settlement in the 19th century. The name "Ettalong" is derived from an Aboriginal word, believed to mean "place of drinking" or to refer to the local water source. Originally developed as a quiet fishing and holiday village, the locality gradually transitioned into a permanent residential suburb throughout the mid-to-late 20th century, accompanied by ongoing urban development and modern foreshore revitalizations that shaped its current identity as a vibrant coastal community.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 46 | 50 |
| Malicious damage to property | 46 | 45 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 41 | 24 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 33 | 31 |
| Breach bail conditions | 22 | 8 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 20 | 22 |
| Other offences | 20 | 21 |
| Fraud | 13 | 9 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 12 | 7 |
| Other theft | 12 | 11 |
| Steal from dwelling | 10 | 8 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 8 | 5 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 8 | 14 |
| Trespass | 8 | 5 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 7 | 1 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 6 | 8 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 6 | 5 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 5 | 6 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 5,161 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.