Katoomba crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
970 recorded in this period, compared with 818 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Katoomba
Katoomba is the principal town and administrative hub of the City of Blue Mountains local government area in New South Wales, carrying the postcode 2780. Located approximately 100 kilometres west of Sydney, it sits at an elevation of over 1,000 metres within the Greater Blue Mountains Area, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed region. The locality is renowned for its dramatic sandstone escarpments, deep valleys, and eucalyptus forests. According to the 2021 Australian census, Katoomba has a permanent population of around 8,000 residents, supported by a significant tourism sector.
The local economy and community life are heavily oriented around tourism, hospitality, and regional services. Katoomba’s commercial centre along the Great Western Highway features heritage buildings housing boutique shops, cafes, art galleries, and essential services. The locality is connected to Sydney and Lithgow via the Main Western railway line. It serves as the primary gateway to major natural attractions, most notably the Three Sisters rock formation at Echo Point, as well as the Scenic World tourist complex, which offers cableway and railway access to the Jamison Valley.
European settlement in the area began in the early 19th century following the successful crossing of the Blue Mountains by Blaxland, Wentworth, and Lawson in 1813. Originally known as "The Crushers" and later "Harnett's Willing," the settlement was renamed Katoomba in 1879, derived from an Aboriginal word meaning "shining falling water" or "water falling near a hill." The town experienced rapid growth late in the 19th and early 20th centuries driven by coal and shale mining, as well as the burgeoning mountain tourism industry, which led to the construction of grand resort hotels and sanatoriums, many of which contribute to its distinct historic character today.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Breach bail conditions | 114 | 90 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 95 | 88 |
| Malicious damage to property | 92 | 83 |
| Steal from retail store | 66 | 98 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 59 | 61 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 56 | 35 |
| Fraud | 47 | 32 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 44 | 42 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 38 | 33 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 36 | 16 |
| Sexual assault | 31 | 15 |
| Trespass | 28 | 20 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 26 | 18 |
| Steal from dwelling | 25 | 11 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 23 | 10 |
| Possession and/or use of amphetamines | 19 | 11 |
| Other offences | 17 | 20 |
| Receiving or handling stolen goods | 17 | 6 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 8,268 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.