Cities · 2024-25
Which Australian city has the highest crime rate?
In 2024-25, Alice Springs had the highest recorded violent crime rate of any Australian city compared here, 8,094 offences per 100,000 residents against 1,308 nationally, followed by Townsville (3,330) and Darwin (3,252). Sunshine Coast had the lowest, 691.
| # | City | Violent | Property |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alice Springs | 8,094 | 20,201 |
| 2 | Townsville | 3,330 | 7,878 |
| 3 | DarwinCapital | 3,252 | 6,599 |
| 4 | Rockhampton | 2,803 | 7,920 |
| 5 | Cairns | 2,713 | 8,837 |
| 6 | Albury–Wodonga | 1,698 | 4,971 |
| 7 | Mackay | 1,657 | 4,868 |
| 8 | Bendigo | 1,456 | 5,019 |
| 9 | Newcastle | 1,378 | 4,090 |
| 10 | Toowoomba | 1,276 | 4,407 |
| 11 | Ballarat | 1,251 | 6,691 |
| 12 | AdelaideCapital | 1,224 | 4,831 |
| 13 | Gold Coast | 1,149 | 4,735 |
| 14 | BrisbaneCapital | 1,147 | 4,780 |
| 15 | Wollongong | 1,019 | 2,918 |
| 16 | Geelong | 1,001 | 4,714 |
| 17 | MelbourneCapital | 967 | 5,557 |
| 18 | SydneyCapital | 948 | 2,337 |
| 19 | CanberraCapital | 806 | 2,568 |
| 20 | Sunshine Coast | 691 | 3,183 |
| Australia | 1,308 | 4,260 |
City crime maps
Each city page maps its council areas by violent crime rate, compares the city with its state and Australia, and lists every council.
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Brisbane
- Adelaide
- Canberra
- Darwin
- Gold Coast
- Sunshine Coast
- Newcastle
- Wollongong
- Geelong
- Townsville
- Cairns
- Toowoomba
- Ballarat
- Bendigo
- Albury–Wodonga
- Mackay
- Rockhampton
- Alice Springs
Questions
Which city has the highest crime rate in Australia?
In 2024-25, Alice Springs had the highest recorded violent crime rate of any Australian city compared here, 8,094 offences per 100,000 residents against 1,308 nationally, followed by Townsville (3,330) and Darwin (3,252). Sunshine Coast had the lowest, 691.
Which capital city has the highest crime rate?
Of the capitals with council-level data, Darwin had the highest recorded violent crime rate in 2024-25 (3,252 per 100,000) and Canberra the lowest (806). Perth and Hobart are not compared: Western Australia and Tasmania publish state totals only.
How is a city defined here?
As whole council areas. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide follow the ABS Greater Capital City areas; regional cities are their main council area or two. Every council in a city must have published figures for the year, so no city is compared on part of its area.
Share
Crime rate by state · Council rankings · Crime by postcode · Interactive crime map