Suburb · VIC · 2026 data

Geelong, VIC

In 2026, police recorded 4,017 offences in Geelong, or 691.3 per 1,000 residents. That is 9.03× the VIC rate.

5,811 residents · estimated 3.3 km² +5.8% vs 2025
Crime rank within VIC
100 out of 100
Very high crime

Highest weighted crime rate of the 911 ranked VIC suburbs (2026).

Violent
100
Property
100

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

All offences
4,017
2026 · ▲ +5.8%
Crimes / 1,000
691.3
VIC avg 76.5
Violent / 1,000
84.7
492 offences · avg 11.8
Property / 1,000
316.8
1,841 offences · avg 44.0
Harm-focused / 1,000
512.0
excl. justice & regulatory · avg 63.7
Violent crime, roughly
1 in 12residents per year
VIC: 1 in 85
Property crime, roughly
1 in 3residents per year
VIC: 1 in 23

By crime type, 2026

Geelong 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

84.7 / 1,000 VIC 11.8 · National 11.8
Assault and related offences
56.10
8.7×
Other crimes against the person
13.77
43.0×
Stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour
7.40
4.1×
Robbery
4.30
11.0×
Dangerous and negligent acts endangering people
3.10
3.7×

Property & deception

316.8 / 1,000 VIC 44.0 · National 44.0
Theft
217.69
7.6×
Property damage
44.74
7.7×
Deception
36.65
9.2×
Burglary/Break and enter
16.52
3.2×
Arson
1.20
2.7×

Drug offences

55.2 / 1,000 VIC 4.1 · National 4.1
Drug use and possession
49.91
14.5×
Drug dealing and trafficking
3.61
8.8×
Cultivate or manufacture drugs
1.55
5.5×
Other drug offences
0.17
—

Public order & weapons

55.2 / 1,000 VIC 3.8 · National 3.8
Disorderly and offensive conduct
27.19
30.2×
Weapons and explosives offences
21.51
9.9×
Public nuisance offences
6.54
9.6×

Justice procedures

174.0 / 1,000 VIC 12.6 · National 12.6 administrative
Breaches of orders
152.47
14.1×
Justice procedures
21.51
11.9×

Traffic, regulatory & other

5.3 / 1,000 VIC 0.2 · National 0.2 administrative
Other government regulatory offences
4.99
83.2×
Transport regulation offences
0.17
2.8×
Miscellaneous offences
0.17
3.4×
View as table
GroupOffence typeCountPer 1,000VIC per 1,000
Crimes against the personAssault and related offences32656.106.44
Crimes against the personOther crimes against the person8013.770.32
Crimes against the personStalking, harassment and threatening behaviour437.401.80
Crimes against the personRobbery254.300.39
Crimes against the personDangerous and negligent acts endangering people183.100.83
Property & deceptionTheft1,265217.6928.52
Property & deceptionProperty damage26044.745.83
Property & deceptionDeception21336.654.00
Property & deceptionBurglary/Break and enter9616.525.24
Property & deceptionArson71.200.45
Drug offencesDrug use and possession29049.913.45
Drug offencesDrug dealing and trafficking213.610.41
Drug offencesCultivate or manufacture drugs91.550.28
Drug offencesOther drug offences10.170.00
Public order & weaponsDisorderly and offensive conduct15827.190.90
Public order & weaponsWeapons and explosives offences12521.512.17
Public order & weaponsPublic nuisance offences386.540.68
Justice proceduresBreaches of orders886152.4710.81
Justice proceduresJustice procedures12521.511.81
Traffic, regulatory & otherOther government regulatory offences294.990.06
Traffic, regulatory & otherTransport regulation offences10.170.06
Traffic, regulatory & otherMiscellaneous offences10.170.05

Trend

TotalViolentPropertydashed = projection
02,1334,2672021202220232024202520262027

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

Vs state & national

per 1,000 residents
GeelongState
All offences
Geelong
691.3
State
76.5
Violent
Geelong
84.7
State
11.8
Property
Geelong
316.8
State
44.0

Nearby suburbs

  1. South Geelong0.0 km 99 compare
  2. Fyansford1.1 km 69 compare
  3. Stonehaven1.9 km not ranked compare
  4. Batesford2.4 km not ranked compare
  5. Geelong West2.4 km 87 compare
  6. Herne Hill2.4 km 16 compare
  7. Manifold Heights2.4 km not ranked compare
  8. Breakwater4.1 km 93 compare

Housing, rent and growth

Housing & rent

ABS Census 2021

Median rent is 22% of median household income. Below the 30% stress benchmark

MeasureValuevs other VIC suburbs
Median rent$370/week higher than 80%
Median household income$1,670/week higher than 57%
Rent as a share of income22% higher than 80%
Median mortgage repayment$2,000/month higher than 78%
Homes that are rented44% higher than 97%
Owned outright33% higher than 19%
Social housing3% higher than 91%
Average household size2.0 people higher than 10%

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
-1.5% higher than 18%
Population growth, last year
2024–2025
+0.1% higher than 17%
New homes approved, 12 months
12 months to Aug 2026
26 higher than 32%
New homes approved per 1,000 residents
12 months to Aug 2026
2.5 higher than 33%

ABS publishes these for larger areas: figures are for “Newtown (Vic.)”, 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 Geelong

Is Geelong a high-crime area?

Geelong falls in the “very high crime” band: Highest weighted crime rate of the 911 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 Geelong?

In 2026, 4,017 offences were recorded in Geelong, or 691.3 per 1,000 residents. That is 9.0× the VIC rate of 76.5.

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

Based on 2026 recorded offences per resident, roughly 1 in 12 for violent crime and 1 in 3 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.