Merewether Heights crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
28 recorded in this period, compared with 40 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Merewether Heights
Merewether Heights is an elevated residential suburb located in the Hunter region of New South Wales, within the City of Newcastle local government area (postcode 2291). Positioned approximately five kilometres southwest of the Newcastle central business district, the suburb is characterised by its hilly topography, which provides extensive elevated views over the Pacific Ocean, local beaches, and surrounding urban areas. The demographic profile is predominantly residential, featuring a mix of established families and professionals attracted to its coastal proximity and suburban environment.
Local life in Merewether Heights is primarily residential, supported by nearby commercial and recreational amenities. Residents access retail, dining, and educational services within the suburb and in adjacent Merewether, Bar Beach, and Kotara. The area is well-connected to major arterial roads facilitating transit into Newcastle and the broader Hunter region. Recreational opportunities are shaped by the suburb's proximity to Glenrock State Conservation Area, which offers bushwalking trails and mountain biking tracks extending down to the coastline.
Historically, Merewether Heights developed as part of the broader expansion of the City of Newcastle during the mid-20th century, transitioning from bushland and industrial-adjacent acreage into a suburban housing area. The suburb derives its name from Edward Merewether, a prominent 19th-century colonial official and landowner whose family heavily influenced the development of the broader Merewether district, largely through local coal mining and pastoral activities.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Steal from motor vehicle | 10 | 5 |
| Steal from dwelling | 3 | 0 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 2 | 3 |
| Fraud | 2 | 3 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 2 | 1 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 2 | 2 |
| Sexual assault | 2 | 0 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 1 | 6 |
| Malicious damage to property | 1 | 3 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 1 | 3 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 1 | 1 |
| Receiving or handling stolen goods | 1 | 0 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 1,495 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.