Fairy Meadow crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
738 recorded in this period, compared with 697 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Fairy Meadow
Fairy Meadow is a coastal suburb located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, situated approximately 4 kilometres north of the Wollongong central business district within the City of Wollongong local government area (postcode 2519). Positioned between the Tasman Sea to the east and the Illawarra escarpment to the west, the locality encompasses a mix of residential, commercial, and light industrial areas. According to the 2021 Australian census, the suburb recorded a population of roughly 8,500 residents, reflecting a culturally diverse community living across a mix of historical housing, modern apartments, and townhouse developments.
The commercial heart of Fairy Meadow centres along the Princes Highway, featuring a diverse array of retail outlets, supermarkets, restaurants, and professional services that serve both local residents and the broader Wollongong area. The suburb is well-connected by public transport, including the South Coast railway line at Fairy Meadow station and established bus networks. Recreational amenities are prominent, highlighted by access to surf beaches such as Fairy Meadow Beach and Wollongong City Beach, as well as several local parks, sporting ovals, and community facilities.
Originally inhabited by the Wadi Wadi people, the area was settled by Europeans in the early 19th century, with land grants initially utilized for dairy farming and agriculture. The origin of the suburb's picturesque name is commonly attributed to early settlers who remarked upon the local landscape's wildflower meadows and scenic beauty. With the expansion of the Illawarra railway in the late 1800s and subsequent industrial growth in Wollongong, Fairy Meadow transitioned from a rural farming community into a thriving residential and commercial suburb.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Transport regulatory offences | 168 | 125 |
| Steal from retail store | 75 | 51 |
| Malicious damage to property | 51 | 54 |
| Fraud | 39 | 30 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 34 | 30 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 32 | 31 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 28 | 27 |
| Other theft | 28 | 27 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 25 | 25 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 25 | 33 |
| Breach bail conditions | 18 | 37 |
| Steal from dwelling | 17 | 19 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 14 | 18 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 14 | 19 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 14 | 9 |
| Possession and/or use of amphetamines | 13 | 10 |
| Possession and/or use of other drugs | 13 | 5 |
| Sexual assault | 13 | 13 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 7,512 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.