Port Macquarie-Hastings LGA crime statistics

About Port Macquarie-Hastings

The Port Macquarie-Hastings Council area is a local government area located on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, encompassing approximately 3,686 square kilometres. The region is defined by its diverse geography, ranging from coastal beaches and estuarine systems along the Tasman Sea to the rugged hinterland of the Great Dividing Range. As of recent census data, the area is home to a population of over 85,000 residents, with the majority concentrated in the urban centres of Port Macquarie, Wauchope, and Laurieton. The demographic profile is notable for a higher-than-average proportion of retirees, alongside a growing cohort of families and young professionals attracted to the region’s coastal lifestyle.

The region serves as a major commercial and administrative hub for the Mid North Coast, offering comprehensive amenities including the Port Macquarie Base Hospital, regional airport facilities, and various tertiary education campuses. Residents and visitors access a range of recreational opportunities, including surfing, whale watching, and hiking through surrounding national parks. Historically, the area was the traditional land of the Birpai people. Following European arrival, the region was established as a penal settlement in 1821, serving as a site for re-offending convicts. Today, the LGA balances its role as a burgeoning tourism destination with a legacy of historic architecture and heritage-listed sites that commemorate its origins as one of Australia’s earliest colonial outposts.

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.

• NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research
• ABS 2021 Census · LGA 16380
• NSW Spatial Services
• Methodology, updates and corrections