Kearsley crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
59 recorded in this period, compared with 87 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Kearsley
Kearsley is a semi-rural locality situated in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, within the Cessnock City Council local government area and bearing the postcode 2325. Geographically, it is positioned just south-east of Cessnock, characterized by a mix of wooded areas, low-density residential properties, and remnants of its industrial past. Demographically, the population largely consists of families and retirees seeking a quiet, semi-rural lifestyle within commuting distance of major regional employment hubs such as Cessnock, Maitland, and Newcastle.
Local life in Kearsley is quiet and primarily residential, relying heavily on neighboring Cessnock for comprehensive commercial, educational, and healthcare amenities. The locality itself features a few local community hallmarks, including recreational spaces and the historic Kearsley Hotel, which has long served as a social focal point for residents. Surrounding transport corridors provide road access to the wider Hunter Valley wine region and the Hunter Expressway.
Historically, Kearsley developed as a coal-mining settlement during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, heavily tied to the South Maitland coalfields. The town grew to house mineworkers and their families, leaving a heritage legacy marked by former mining infrastructure and historic residential architecture. Over the decades, as the local mining industry declined, Kearsley transitioned into the quiet residential and commuter locality it is today.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 8 | 10 |
| Malicious damage to property | 7 | 7 |
| Breach bail conditions | 6 | 0 |
| Fraud | 4 | 6 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 4 | 1 |
| Other theft | 4 | 2 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 3 | 7 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 3 | 2 |
| Assault Police | 2 | 0 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 2 | 14 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 2 | 4 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 2 | 6 |
| Steal from retail store | 2 | 0 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 1 | 0 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 1 | 5 |
| Murder | 1 | 0 |
| Other offences | 1 | 1 |
| Possession and/or use of amphetamines | 1 | 2 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 838 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.