Evans Head crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
215 recorded in this period, compared with 194 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Evans Head
Evans Head is a coastal town located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, within the Richmond Valley Council local government area (postcode 2473). Situated approximately 720 kilometres north of Sydney and 110 kilometres south of the Gold Coast, the locality is bounded by the Tasman Sea to the east and the Evans River to the north. According to the 2021 Australian census, Evans Head recorded a population of approximately 3,000 residents. The geography is characterized by extensive surfing beaches, coastal heathlands, and proximity to the Broadwater National Park and Bundjalung National Park.
The local economy and lifestyle are closely tied to coastal tourism, fishing, and recreation. Amenities in the town include a central commercial strip featuring retail shops, cafes, and essential services, alongside a public primary school, a surf lifesaving club, and sporting facilities. The Evans River provides sheltered waters for boating, swimming, and recreational fishing, while the surrounding national parks support eco-tourism activities such as bushwalking and camping.
Historically, the area is part of the traditional lands of the Bundjalung nation, whose people maintained a rich cultural connection to the coastal resources and waterways. European settlement began in the mid-19th century, driven by the timber industry, cedar-getting, and maritime trade utilizing the Evans River bar. The town derived its name from Evans Headland, which was named after naval surveyor Evans. During World War II, the locality played a strategic military role with the establishment of the RAAF Station Evans Head, which served as a bombing and gunnery school and remains an important part of the region's heritage.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Malicious damage to property | 29 | 19 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 21 | 18 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 19 | 9 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 18 | 17 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 15 | 12 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 14 | 7 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 13 | 23 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 11 | 6 |
| Other theft | 8 | 8 |
| Breach bail conditions | 7 | 7 |
| Fraud | 6 | 8 |
| Liquor offences | 6 | 5 |
| Resist or hinder officer | 6 | 3 |
| Sexual assault | 6 | 8 |
| Other offences against the person | 4 | 1 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 3 | 5 |
| Possession and/or use of cocaine | 3 | 0 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 3 | 6 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 2,907 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.