Kembla Heights crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
5 recorded in this period, compared with 9 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Kembla Heights
Kembla Heights is a historic suburb located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, situated within the City of Wollongong local government area and bearing the postcode 2526. Perched on the slopes of the Illawarra escarpment below Mount Kembla, the locality is characterized by its steep, forested terrain and elevated position, which offers sweeping views over the coastal plain and the Tasman Sea. The population is small and predominantly residential, reflecting its quiet, semi-rural character nestled within a natural bushland setting.
Local life in Kembla Heights is defined by its peaceful, village-like atmosphere and close proximity to the natural environment, with various walking tracks and heritage sites accessible to residents. While the locality itself has limited commercial amenities, it relies on neighboring suburbs such as Unanderra and Wollongong's broader urban center for major retail, educational, and healthcare services. Community life is centered around local heritage preservation and the natural landscape of the escarpment.
Historically, Kembla Heights is deeply rooted in the New South Wales coal-mining industry, having developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a company town supporting the nearby Mount Kembla colliery. The suburb is tragically tied to the Mount Kembla mine disaster of 1902, the worst mining accident in Australian history, which resulted in the loss of 96 lives. Today, the area retains significant heritage value, evidenced by historic buildings, remnants of former mining infrastructure, and memorials dedicated to the miners who shaped the region's industrial past.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Other theft | 2 | 0 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 1 | 0 |
| Malicious damage to property | 1 | 1 |
| Other offences against the person | 1 | 0 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 88 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.