Murwillumbah crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
588 recorded in this period, compared with 654 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Murwillumbah
Murwillumbah is a town located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, within the Tweed Shire local government area (postcode 2484). Situated on the banks of the Tweed River, the locality lies approximately 30 kilometres south of the Queensland border and is framed by the scenic caldera of the Tweed Volcano, dominated by Mount Warning (Wollumbin). According to the 2021 Australian census, Murwillumbah and its immediate surrounds recorded a population of roughly 10,000 residents, serving as a vital regional service hub for the broader Tweed Valley agricultural and residential communities.
The town functions as a commercial and cultural centre, offering essential amenities including public and private schools, a district hospital, and a central business district featuring retail, dining, and professional services. The local economy has traditionally been anchored by agriculture—particularly sugarcane, dairy, and banana production—alongside a growing emphasis on arts, tourism, and small-scale manufacturing. Murwillumbah is connected to major coastal centres via the Tweed Valley Way and is situated near the Pacific Highway corridor.
European settlement in the area began in the mid-19th century, driven by the timber industry exploiting the region's dense subtropical rainforests, particularly red cedar. The town was officially surveyed and gazetted in the late 19th century, rapidly developing as a river port before the arrival of the railway. Murwillumbah retains a distinct heritage character, prominently featuring well-preserved Art Deco commercial architecture constructed following major fires in the early 20th century, and it houses the Tweed Regional Gallery, which includes the Margaret Olley Art Centre.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Breach bail conditions | 70 | 104 |
| Malicious damage to property | 57 | 77 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 38 | 30 |
| Steal from retail store | 37 | 33 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 35 | 31 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 31 | 28 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 28 | 15 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 23 | 47 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 23 | 16 |
| Fraud | 21 | 28 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 18 | 20 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 17 | 34 |
| Other offences | 17 | 6 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 16 | 24 |
| Sexual assault | 16 | 15 |
| Other theft | 15 | 25 |
| Possession and/or use of amphetamines | 15 | 10 |
| Steal from dwelling | 15 | 12 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 7,616 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.