Cowes, VIC
In 2026, police recorded 547 offences in Cowes, or 83.0 per 1,000 residents. That is 0.93× the VIC rate.
Higher weighted crime rate than 70% of 1,069 ranked VIC suburbs (2026).
Higher = more crime. Severity-weighted rate per resident · method v2026.07
By crime type, 2026
Rates per 1,000 residents. ×-values compare with the state rate for the same offence type.
Crimes against the person
21.4 / 1,000
VIC 13.7
· National 17.5
Property & deception
32.8 / 1,000
VIC 51.3
· National 49.7
Drug offences
1.8 / 1,000
VIC 5.0
· National 5.9
Public order & weapons
5.5 / 1,000
VIC 4.5
· National 3.2
Justice procedures
21.4 / 1,000
VIC 14.4
· National 10.3
administrative
Traffic, regulatory & other
0.2 / 1,000
VIC 0.2
· National 0.1
administrative
View as table
| Group | Offence type | Count | Per 1,000 | VIC per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes against the person | Assault and related offences | 86 | 13.04 | 7.48 |
| Crimes against the person | Other crimes against the person | 25 | 3.79 | 0.00 |
| Crimes against the person | Stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour | 24 | 3.64 | 2.15 |
| Crimes against the person | Dangerous and negligent acts endangering people | 4 | 0.61 | 0.94 |
| Crimes against the person | Robbery | 2 | 0.30 | 0.42 |
| Property & deception | Theft | 102 | 15.47 | 33.72 |
| Property & deception | Property damage | 62 | 9.40 | 6.74 |
| Property & deception | Burglary/Break and enter | 33 | 5.01 | 5.73 |
| Property & deception | Deception | 14 | 2.12 | 4.61 |
| Property & deception | Arson | 5 | 0.76 | 0.52 |
| Drug offences | Drug use and possession | 10 | 1.52 | 4.12 |
| Drug offences | Drug dealing and trafficking | 2 | 0.30 | 0.51 |
| Public order & weapons | Public nuisance offences | 16 | 2.43 | 0.80 |
| Public order & weapons | Disorderly and offensive conduct | 14 | 2.12 | 1.07 |
| Public order & weapons | Weapons and explosives offences | 6 | 0.91 | 2.55 |
| Justice procedures | Breaches of orders | 129 | 19.57 | 12.35 |
| Justice procedures | Justice procedures | 12 | 1.82 | 2.09 |
| Traffic, regulatory & other | Transport regulation offences | 1 | 0.15 | 0.07 |
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
- Silverleaves0.0 km 59 compare
- Smiths Beach0.0 km 22 compare
- Summerlands0.0 km not ranked compare
- Sunderland Bay0.0 km 47 compare
- Sunset Strip0.0 km 20 compare
- Surf Beach0.0 km 80 compare
- Ventnor0.0 km 19 compare
- Wimbledon Heights0.0 km 67 compare
Housing, rent and growth
Housing & rent
ABS Census 2021Median rent is 32% of median household income. In the 30–50% rental-stress range
| Measure | Value | vs other VIC suburbs |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $331/week | higher than 71% |
| Median household income | $1,026/week | higher than 11% |
| Rent as a share of income | 32% | higher than 98% |
| Median mortgage repayment | $1,550/month | higher than 52% |
| Homes that are rented | 27% | higher than 85% |
| Owned outright | 46% | higher than 58% |
| Social housing | 2% | higher than 85% |
| Average household size | 2.1 people | higher than 17% |
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 VIC areas |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth, 5 years 2020–2025 | +13.2% | higher than 87% |
| Population growth, last year 2024–2025 | +2.0% | higher than 82% |
| New homes approved, 12 months 12 months to Aug 2026 | 65 | higher than 61% |
| New homes approved per 1,000 residents 12 months to Aug 2026 | 4.4 | higher than 55% |
ABS publishes these for larger areas: figures are for “Phillip Island”, 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 Cowes
Is Cowes a high-crime area?
Cowes falls in the “high crime” band: Higher weighted crime rate than 70% 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 Cowes?
In 2026, 547 offences were recorded in Cowes, or 83.0 per 1,000 residents. That is 0.9× the VIC rate of 89.1.
What are the chances of being a victim of crime in Cowes?
Based on 2026 recorded offences per resident, roughly 1 in 47 for violent crime and 1 in 31 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.