Suburb · VIC · 2026 data

Smiths Beach, VIC

In 2026, police recorded 6 offences in Smiths Beach, or 19.0 per 1,000 residents. That is 0.21× the VIC rate.

315 residents · estimated 0.7 km² -57.1% vs 2025
Crime rank within VIC
22 out of 100
Low crime

Higher weighted crime rate than 22% of 1,069 ranked VIC suburbs (2026).

Violent
30
Property
27

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

All offences
6
2026 · ▼ -57.1%
Crimes / 1,000
19.0
VIC avg 89.1
Violent / 1,000
3.2
1 offences · avg 13.7
Property / 1,000
15.9
5 offences · avg 51.3
Harm-focused / 1,000
19.0
excl. justice & regulatory · avg 65.0
Violent crime, roughly
1 in 315residents per year
VIC: 1 in 73
Property crime, roughly
1 in 63residents per year
VIC: 1 in 19

By crime type, 2026

Smiths Beach 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

3.2 / 1,000 VIC 13.7 · National 17.5
Assault and related offences
3.17
0.4×

Property & deception

15.9 / 1,000 VIC 51.3 · National 49.7
Burglary/Break and enter
6.35
1.1×
Property damage
3.17
0.5×
Theft
3.17
0.1×
Deception
3.17
0.7×
View as table
GroupOffence typeCountPer 1,000VIC per 1,000
Crimes against the personAssault and related offences13.177.48
Property & deceptionBurglary/Break and enter26.355.73
Property & deceptionProperty damage13.176.74
Property & deceptionTheft13.1733.72
Property & deceptionDeception13.174.61

Trend

TotalViolentPropertydashed = projection
07142021202220232024202520262027

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

Vs state & national

per 1,000 residents
Smiths BeachState
All offences
Smiths Beach
19.0
State
89.1
Violent
Smiths Beach
3.2
State
13.7
Property
Smiths Beach
15.9
State
51.3

Nearby suburbs

  1. Cowes0.0 km 70 compare
  2. Silverleaves0.0 km 59 compare
  3. Summerlands0.0 km not ranked compare
  4. Sunderland Bay0.0 km 47 compare
  5. Sunset Strip0.0 km 20 compare
  6. Surf Beach0.0 km 80 compare
  7. Ventnor0.0 km 19 compare
  8. Wimbledon Heights0.0 km 67 compare

Housing, rent and growth

Housing & rent

ABS Census 2021

Median rent is 28% of median household income. Below the 30% stress benchmark

MeasureValuevs other VIC suburbs
Median rent$330/week higher than 71%
Median household income$1,181/week higher than 22%
Rent as a share of income28% higher than 95%
Median mortgage repayment$1,600/month higher than 54%
Homes that are rented17% higher than 67%
Owned outright46% higher than 58%
Social housing0% higher than 35%
Average household size2.1 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
MeasureValuevs 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 Smiths Beach

Is Smiths Beach a high-crime area?

Smiths Beach falls in the “low crime” band: Higher weighted crime rate than 22% 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 Smiths Beach?

In 2026, 6 offences were recorded in Smiths Beach, or 19.0 per 1,000 residents. That is 0.2× the VIC rate of 89.1.

What are the chances of being a victim of crime in Smiths Beach?

Based on 2026 recorded offences per resident, roughly 1 in 315 for violent crime and 1 in 63 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.