Suburb · VIC · 2026 data

Cardigan, VIC

In 2026, police recorded 131 offences in Cardigan, or 123.1 per 1,000 residents. That is 1.38× the VIC rate.

1,064 residents · estimated 40.7 km² +29.7% vs 2025
Crime rank within VIC
86 out of 100
Very high crime

Higher weighted crime rate than 86% of 1,069 ranked VIC suburbs (2026).

Violent
63
Property
91

Higher = more crime. Severity-weighted rate per resident · method v2026.07

All offences
131
2026 · ▲ +29.7%
Crimes / 1,000
123.1
VIC avg 89.1
Violent / 1,000
8.5
9 offences · avg 13.7
Property / 1,000
78.9
84 offences · avg 51.3
Harm-focused / 1,000
95.9
excl. justice & regulatory · avg 74.5
Violent crime, roughly
1 in 118residents per year
VIC: 1 in 73
Property crime, roughly
1 in 13residents per year
VIC: 1 in 19

By crime type, 2026

Cardigan VIC average Line = 2021–2026

Rates per 1,000 residents. ×-values compare with the state rate for the same offence type.

Crimes against the person

8.5 / 1,000 VIC 13.7 · National 17.5
Assault and related offences
3.76
0.5×
Dangerous and negligent acts endangering people
1.88
2.0×
Other crimes against the person
1.88
—
Stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour
0.94
0.4×

Property & deception

79.0 / 1,000 VIC 51.3 · National 49.7
Theft
43.23
1.3×
Burglary/Break and enter
20.68
3.6×
Arson
5.64
10.9×
Property damage
4.70
0.7×
Deception
4.70
1.0×

Drug offences

6.6 / 1,000 VIC 5.0 · National 5.9
Drug use and possession
5.64
1.4×
Drug dealing and trafficking
0.94
1.8×

Public order & weapons

1.9 / 1,000 VIC 4.5 · National 3.2
Weapons and explosives offences
1.88
0.7×

Justice procedures

27.3 / 1,000 VIC 14.4 · National 10.3 administrative
Breaches of orders
25.38
2.1×
Justice procedures
1.88
0.9×
View as table
GroupOffence typeCountPer 1,000VIC per 1,000
Crimes against the personAssault and related offences43.767.48
Crimes against the personDangerous and negligent acts endangering people21.880.94
Crimes against the personOther crimes against the person21.880.00
Crimes against the personStalking, harassment and threatening behaviour10.942.15
Property & deceptionTheft4643.2333.72
Property & deceptionBurglary/Break and enter2220.685.73
Property & deceptionArson65.640.52
Property & deceptionProperty damage54.706.74
Property & deceptionDeception54.704.61
Drug offencesDrug use and possession65.644.12
Drug offencesDrug dealing and trafficking10.940.51
Public order & weaponsWeapons and explosives offences21.882.55
Justice proceduresBreaches of orders2725.3812.35
Justice proceduresJustice procedures21.882.09

Trend

TotalViolentPropertydashed = projection
0701402021202220232024202520262027

Recorded offences per year. Projection is a simple linear trend, not a forecast of individual risk.

Vs state & national

per 1,000 residents
CardiganState
All offences
Cardigan
123.1
State
89.1
Violent
Cardigan
8.5
State
13.7
Property
Cardigan
78.9
State
51.3

Nearby suburbs

  1. Addington0.0 km not ranked compare
  2. Blowhard0.0 km not ranked compare
  3. Bunkers Hill0.0 km not ranked compare
  4. Burrumbeet0.0 km not ranked compare
  5. Cardigan Village0.0 km 18 compare
  6. Chapel Flat0.0 km not ranked compare
  7. Durham Lead0.0 km 10 compare
  8. Glen Park0.0 km not ranked compare

Housing, rent and growth

Housing & rent

ABS Census 2021

Median rent is 13% of median household income. Below the 30% stress benchmark

MeasureValuevs other VIC suburbs
Median rent$350/week higher than 75%
Median household income$2,713/week higher than 97%
Rent as a share of income13% higher than 25%
Median mortgage repayment$2,167/month higher than 86%
Homes that are rented7% higher than 26%
Owned outright37% higher than 27%
Social housing0% higher than 35%
Average household size3.4 people higher than 98%

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
MeasureValuevs other VIC areas
Population growth, 5 years
2020–2025
+4.6% higher than 66%
Population growth, last year
2024–2025
+0.1% higher than 17%
New homes approved, 12 months
12 months to Aug 2026
30 higher than 36%
New homes approved per 1,000 residents
12 months to Aug 2026
6.2 higher than 69%

ABS publishes these for larger areas: figures are for “Beaufort”, 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 Cardigan

Is Cardigan a high-crime area?

Cardigan falls in the “very high crime” band: Higher weighted crime rate than 86% of 1,069 ranked VIC suburbs (2026). Rankings use a severity-weighted rate per resident, so serious offences count more than minor ones.

What is the crime rate in Cardigan?

In 2026, 131 offences were recorded in Cardigan, or 123.1 per 1,000 residents. That is 1.4× the VIC rate of 89.1.

What are the chances of being a victim of crime in Cardigan?

Based on 2026 recorded offences per resident, roughly 1 in 118 for violent crime and 1 in 13 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.