Salt Ash crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
106 recorded in this period, compared with 85 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Salt Ash
Salt Ash is a semi-rural locality situated within the Port Stephens Council area of New South Wales, holding the postcode 2318. Geographically, it is positioned on the Tilligerry Peninsula, characterized by low-lying terrain, coastal bushland, and extensive wetlands. The population consists primarily of families and retirees who reside in a mix of traditional acreage properties and suburban-style housing. The area is strategically located between the regional hubs of Newcastle and Nelson Bay, serving as a gateway to the broader Port Stephens coastal region.
Local life in Salt Ash is defined by its quiet, semi-rural character and proximity to nature. Amenities are modest, centered on local businesses, a primary school, and community-focused recreational spaces. The economy and land use are heavily influenced by the nearby RAAF Base Williamtown and the adjacent Newcastle Airport, which generate significant employment and infrastructure development in the vicinity. Residents largely rely on neighboring townships such as Medowie or Raymond Terrace for comprehensive retail, medical, and professional services.
Historically, the area was part of the traditional lands of the Worimi people, whose cultural heritage remains significant to the region. European settlement in the 19th and early 20th centuries focused on timber-getting and small-scale agriculture, particularly dairy and poultry farming. While the locality has transitioned toward residential and light-industrial use, remnants of its pastoral history persist in the surrounding landscape. The area’s modern development has been increasingly shaped by its role as a logistical and residential buffer zone for the expanding aerospace and tourism sectors of the Port Stephens region.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Fraud | 45 | 15 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 9 | 7 |
| Malicious damage to property | 7 | 6 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 6 | 7 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 6 | 8 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 5 | 3 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 4 | 1 |
| Trespass | 4 | 4 |
| Breach bail conditions | 3 | 1 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 3 | 5 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 2 | 5 |
| Other offences | 2 | 1 |
| Steal from dwelling | 2 | 1 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 1 | 0 |
| Coercive Control | 1 | 0 |
| Cultivating cannabis | 1 | 0 |
| Liquor offences | 1 | 0 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 1 | 5 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 1,103 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.