Haywards Bay crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
33 recorded in this period, compared with 42 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Haywards Bay
Haywards Bay is a residential suburb located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, within the City of Wollongong local government area (postcode 2530). Situated approximately 18 kilometres southwest of the Wollongong central business district, the locality occupies a picturesque setting on the western shores of Lake Illawarra. Demographically, it is a predominantly low-density suburban area characterised by modern residential housing developments that cater to families and commuters.
Local life in Haywards Bay is centered on suburban residential living, with its proximity to Lake Illawarra providing residents with access to scenic views, walking paths, and recreational water activities. While the suburb itself is primarily residential and quieter in commercial amenity, it relies on neighbouring suburbs such as Dapto for comprehensive retail, educational, and public transport services. Road connectivity is facilitated by the Princes Motorway, making the suburb accessible for commuters traveling north toward Wollongong and Sydney, or south toward Shellharbour and Kiama.
Historically, the land upon which Haywards Bay sits is part of the traditional country of the Wodi Wodi people, an Aboriginal language group of the Dharawal nation. Following European settlement, the area—like much of the broader Illawarra region—was initially utilized for agriculture and rural pursuits before transitioning through suburban expansion in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The suburb takes its name from the geographic bay on Lake Illawarra, which itself references early European landholders and local maritime history.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Fraud | 10 | 14 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 4 | 2 |
| Transport regulatory offences | 4 | 1 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 3 | 4 |
| Malicious damage to property | 3 | 1 |
| Sexual assault | 3 | 2 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 2 | 2 |
| Breach bail conditions | 1 | 2 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 1 | 0 |
| Coercive Control | 1 | 0 |
| Other theft | 1 | 0 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 1,280 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.