Cobar LGA crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
557 recorded in this period, compared with 512 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Cobar
The Shire of Cobar is a large local government area located in the Far West region of New South Wales, covering approximately 44,000 square kilometres of semi-arid terrain. The landscape is primarily defined by low-lying plains and scrubland, with the town of Cobar serving as the administrative and commercial hub. The population is relatively sparse, with a demographic profile heavily influenced by the cyclical nature of the regional mining industry, which remains the primary economic driver for the area.
Local life in Cobar revolves around the central township, which provides essential services including schools, a hospital, and various retail outlets. Recreational opportunities are shaped by the outback environment, featuring local parks, sporting facilities, and tourism sites that highlight the region's geological features. Infrastructure serves a dispersed community, with the council maintaining extensive road networks to support both the residential population and the heavy transport requirements of the local mining operations.
The region’s history is inextricably linked to the discovery of copper in 1870, which transformed Cobar from a remote pastoral outpost into a significant mining centre. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the town experienced rapid expansion, leaving behind a legacy of industrial heritage sites and historic architecture. Today, the area preserves its past through local museums and heritage trails, which document the evolution of the mining industry and the stories of the early settlers who established the township in the arid interior of the state.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Harassment threatening | 54 | 80 |
| Malicious damage to property | 48 | 56 |
| Sexual Offences | 46 | 19 |
| Assault - domestic violence | 43 | 52 |
| Breach AVO | 43 | 29 |
| Trespass | 36 | 21 |
| Assault - non-domestic violence | 33 | 31 |
| Breach bail conditions | 31 | 42 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 25 | 10 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 24 | 21 |
| Other theft | 22 | 17 |
| Prohibited weapons offences | 22 | 15 |
| Fraud | 18 | 24 |
| Possession use of cannabis | 15 | 17 |
| Steal from dwelling | 15 | 11 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 13 | 12 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 12 | 15 |
| Liquor offences | 12 | 6 |
| Receiving stolen goods | 12 | 4 |
| Steal from retail store | 10 | 15 |
| Resist or hinder officer | 9 | 4 |
| Arson | 7 | 6 |
| Offensive conduct | 6 | 4 |
| Robbery | 1 | 1 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 4,059 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.