Gunnedah crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
1,870 recorded in this period, compared with 1,507 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Gunnedah
Gunnedah is a rural town and locality situated in the North West Slopes and Plains region of New South Wales, positioned within the Gunnedah Shire local government area (postcode 2380). Located approximately 430 kilometres north-north-west of Sydney, the area lies within the fertile Namoi River valley and is bounded by the Liverpool Plains to the south. The township and surrounding district support a population of around 12,000 residents, serving as a regional hub for the surrounding agricultural community.
The local economy is anchored by agriculture—notably cotton, wheat, and beef cattle production—alongside a significant coal mining sector. Gunnedah provides a range of essential services and amenities to the district, including primary and secondary schools, health services centered around the Gunnedah District Hospital, and various sporting and recreational facilities. The town acts as a commercial centre with retail precincts, transport links via the Oxley Highway and the Main North railway line, and community infrastructure designed to support the wider shire population.
Prior to European settlement, the area was traditionally inhabited by the Kamilaroi (Gamilaraay) Aboriginal people. European presence in the region began in the 1830s following explorations by figures such as Thomas Mitchell, with the town site gazetted in the mid-19th century. Gunnedah's historical development was driven by pastoralism, the expansion of the rail network, and later, the development of coal resources, leaving a regional heritage reflected in several preserved historic buildings and local museums.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Breach bail conditions | 279 | 198 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 194 | 130 |
| Malicious damage to property | 171 | 157 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 144 | 73 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 102 | 72 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 89 | 103 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 82 | 28 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 72 | 43 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 66 | 76 |
| Arson | 63 | 29 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 61 | 42 |
| Trespass | 61 | 64 |
| Fraud | 54 | 67 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 52 | 102 |
| Other theft | 51 | 39 |
| Steal from retail store | 46 | 28 |
| Steal from dwelling | 45 | 34 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 34 | 20 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 10,359 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.