Merewether, NSW
In 2025, police recorded 927 offences in Merewether, or 78.6 per 1,000 residents. That is 1.08× the NSW rate.
Higher weighted crime rate than 78% of 1,808 ranked NSW suburbs (2025).
Higher = more crime. Severity-weighted rate per resident · method v2026.07
By crime type, 2025
Rates per 1,000 residents. ×-values compare with the state rate for the same offence type.
Crimes against the person
13.0 / 1,000
NSW 17.5
· National 17.1
Property & deception
53.1 / 1,000
NSW 27.4
· National 43.2
Drug offences
3.4 / 1,000
NSW 4.6
· National 7.2
Public order & weapons
4.8 / 1,000
NSW 4.7
· National 4.7
Justice procedures
3.0 / 1,000
NSW 10.9
· National 10.8
administrative
Traffic, regulatory & other
1.4 / 1,000
NSW 7.8
· National 6.2
administrative
View as table
| Group | Offence type | Count | Per 1,000 | NSW per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes against the person | Assault and related offences | 74 | 6.28 | 8.65 |
| Crimes against the person | Stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour | 52 | 4.41 | 5.90 |
| Crimes against the person | Sexual offences | 22 | 1.87 | 2.37 |
| Crimes against the person | Robbery | 3 | 0.25 | 0.21 |
| Crimes against the person | Blackmail and extortion | 1 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Crimes against the person | Other crimes against the person | 1 | 0.08 | 0.19 |
| Crimes against the person | Homicide and related offences | 0 | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Crimes against the person | Abduction and related offences | 0 | 0.00 | 0.03 |
| Property & deception | Theft | 556 | 47.17 | 21.38 |
| Property & deception | Property damage | 68 | 5.77 | 5.52 |
| Property & deception | Arson | 2 | 0.17 | 0.54 |
| Drug offences | Drug offences | 40 | 3.39 | 4.62 |
| Public order & weapons | Disorderly and offensive conduct | 28 | 2.38 | 2.34 |
| Public order & weapons | Weapons and explosives offences | 21 | 1.78 | 1.70 |
| Public order & weapons | Public nuisance offences | 7 | 0.59 | 0.65 |
| Justice procedures | Justice procedures offences | 35 | 2.97 | 10.91 |
| Traffic, regulatory & other | Miscellaneous offences | 10 | 0.85 | 1.39 |
| Traffic, regulatory & other | Transport regulation offences | 7 | 0.59 | 6.25 |
| Traffic, regulatory & other | Other government regulatory offences | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Traffic, regulatory & other | Other offences | 0 | 0.00 | 0.14 |
Trend
Recorded offences per year. Projection is a simple linear trend, not a forecast of individual risk.
Vs state & national
per 1,000 residentsNearby suburbs
- Merewether Heights0.0 km 13 compare
- The Junction0.0 km 97 compare
- Broadmeadow2.2 km 98 compare
- Hamilton North2.2 km 83 compare
- Newcastle West2.4 km 100 compare
- Hamilton2.9 km 98 compare
- Hamilton East2.9 km 85 compare
- Hamilton South2.9 km 97 compare
Housing, rent and growth
Housing & rent
ABS Census 2021Median rent is 18% of median household income. Below the 30% stress benchmark
| Measure | Value | vs other NSW suburbs |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $420/week | higher than 75% |
| Median household income | $2,287/week | higher than 83% |
| Rent as a share of income | 18% | higher than 36% |
| Median mortgage repayment | $2,457/month | higher than 79% |
| Homes that are rented | 33% | higher than 84% |
| Owned outright | 35% | higher than 29% |
| Social housing | 4% | higher than 87% |
| Average household size | 2.4 people | higher than 38% |
2021 Census figures: rents and incomes have risen since, so compare suburbs rather than reading today's prices. The rent share uses the median rent and the median income of all households (owners included), so it is a guide, not the share any one renter pays. The 30% benchmark is a common convention.
Growth & new homes
ABS Regional Population · Building Approvals| Measure | Value | vs other NSW areas |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth, 5 years 2020–2025 | +3.3% | higher than 57% |
| Population growth, last year 2024–2025 | +0.9% | higher than 61% |
| New homes approved, 12 months 12 months to Aug 2026 | 37 | higher than 47% |
| New homes approved per 1,000 residents 12 months to Aug 2026 | 2.5 | higher than 37% |
ABS publishes these for larger areas: figures are for “Merewether - The Junction”, which contains this suburb. Approvals are dwellings approved, not yet built. Growth and new supply are change indicators, not a price forecast.
Common questions about Merewether
Is Merewether a high-crime area?
Merewether falls in the “high crime” band: Higher weighted crime rate than 78% of 1,808 ranked NSW suburbs (2025). Rankings use a severity-weighted rate per resident, so serious offences count more than minor ones.
What is the crime rate in Merewether?
In 2025, 927 offences were recorded in Merewether, or 78.6 per 1,000 residents. That is 1.1× the NSW rate of 72.9.
What are the chances of being a victim of crime in Merewether?
Based on 2025 recorded offences per resident, roughly 1 in 77 for violent crime and 1 in 19 for property crime. Recorded crime includes offences against visitors and businesses, so this overstates risk for residents.
Where does this data come from?
Official recorded-crime statistics published by state police and crime statistics agencies, divided by 2021 Census or ABS population estimates. See the methodology page for details.
Data notes
- Population is estimated (medium confidence) from the ABS 2021 Census.
- Recorded crime counts offences reported to or detected by police where they occurred. That includes offences against visitors and businesses, so busy centres score higher than their resident risk.
- States classify offences differently, so ranks compare areas within the same state.