Warilla crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
594 recorded in this period, compared with 659 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Warilla
Warilla is a coastal suburb located within the City of Shellharbour in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, approximately 20 kilometres south of Wollongong. Situated on the southern shores of Lake Illawarra and bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east, the suburb covers a relatively flat coastal plain. As of the 2021 Census, Warilla recorded a population of approximately 9,500 residents. The demographic profile is primarily residential, characterized by a mix of long-term families and newer households attracted by its proximity to the coastline and regional infrastructure.
The locality is centered around the Warilla Grove shopping precinct and maintains significant recreational space, most notably the expansive Warilla Beach, which is patrolled by the local surf life saving club. Educational needs are met by several primary schools, and the area provides convenient access to the larger commercial and transport hubs of Shellharbour City Centre and Oak Flats. The suburb’s geography encourages outdoor activity, with the Windang Bridge providing a key link to the northern peninsula and public access points along the lakefront.
Historically, the Warilla area transitioned from rural grazing land to a residential suburb during the post-World War II housing boom of the 1950s. The name "Warilla" is of Aboriginal origin, widely interpreted to mean "basket" or "place of many waters," reflecting its position between the ocean and the lake. Development during the mid-20th century transformed the landscape into a suburban enclave, eventually leading to the establishment of the Warilla–Barrack Point region as a major residential corridor for the Shellharbour local government area.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Malicious damage to property | 58 | 70 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 55 | 56 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 48 | 58 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 45 | 43 |
| Breach bail conditions | 35 | 27 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 31 | 36 |
| Fraud | 29 | 23 |
| Sexual assault | 26 | 17 |
| Steal from dwelling | 22 | 13 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 21 | 17 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 18 | 12 |
| Break and enter dwelling | 17 | 34 |
| Possession and/or use of cannabis | 17 | 15 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 17 | 22 |
| Steal from retail store | 17 | 38 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 16 | 39 |
| Other theft | 14 | 23 |
| Trespass | 10 | 17 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 6,226 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.