Yass Valley LGA crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
786 recorded in this period, compared with 798 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Yass Valley
The Yass Valley Local Government Area is located in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, bordering the Australian Capital Territory to the north. Covering approximately 3,998 square kilometres, the region is characterised by a mix of rolling pastoral landscapes, river valleys, and native bushland. The population is concentrated primarily in the town of Yass, which serves as the administrative centre, alongside smaller rural villages such as Murrumbateman, Binalong, and Sutton. The demographic profile reflects a blend of traditional agricultural communities and an increasing number of commuters who work in Canberra but reside in the valley’s semi-rural environment.
The local economy is driven by agriculture—notably fine wool production, grazing, and a burgeoning cool-climate viticulture industry, particularly around Murrumbateman. Residents have access to essential services in Yass, which features health facilities, primary and secondary schools, and local retail outlets. The area serves as a gateway between Sydney and the Snowy Mountains, with the Hume Highway facilitating both tourism and logistical connectivity. Recreational opportunities are shaped by the natural environment, with the Yass River and Burrinjuck Dam providing venues for water-based activities and fishing.
Yass Valley holds significant historical importance, rooted in the early 19th-century European settlement of the region. Originally the traditional lands of the Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri peoples, the area became a major transit point for explorers and settlers moving inland from the coast. The town of Yass was formally gazetted in 1837, and its development was accelerated by its strategic location on the main route between Sydney and Melbourne. Today, the LGA retains a rich built heritage, featuring numerous mid-19th-century colonial structures and stone buildings that are preserved as key elements of the region's cultural identity.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Possession use of cannabis | 90 | 142 |
| Malicious damage to property | 89 | 58 |
| Harassment threatening | 84 | 64 |
| Breach bail conditions | 46 | 31 |
| Assault - domestic violence | 45 | 53 |
| Assault - non-domestic violence | 45 | 27 |
| Fraud | 44 | 60 |
| Prohibited weapons offences | 44 | 42 |
| Breach AVO | 38 | 52 |
| Sexual Offences | 37 | 34 |
| Trespass | 35 | 31 |
| Receiving stolen goods | 28 | 28 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 26 | 11 |
| Steal from retail store | 22 | 8 |
| Liquor offences | 21 | 46 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 17 | 22 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 13 | 13 |
| Other theft | 13 | 19 |
| Resist or hinder officer | 12 | 10 |
| Steal from dwelling | 12 | 15 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 11 | 16 |
| Offensive conduct | 7 | 5 |
| Arson | 5 | 8 |
| Offensive language | 1 | 2 |
| Robbery | 1 | 0 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 17,281 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.