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Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Benson, located in North Carolina, presents an intriguing case study in violent crime trends. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes fluctuated, with 47 incidents reported in both 2010 and 2022. However, this stability in crime numbers occurred against a backdrop of population growth, with the city's population increasing from 10,636 in 2010 to 11,794 in 2022, representing a 10.9% growth over this period.
Examining murder trends, the city experienced sporadic incidents rather than a consistent pattern. There were no murders reported in most years, with single incidents occurring in 2011 and 2014. These isolated events resulted in murder rates of 0.09 and 0.09 per 1,000 residents in those respective years. The percentage of state murders attributed to the city was 0.34% in 2011 and 0.32% in 2014, indicating that these rare occurrences had a notable impact on the city's contribution to state-wide murder statistics in those years.
Rape statistics for the city show considerable variation and data gaps. Reported cases ranged from zero to six annually, with the highest number (6) recorded in 2022, representing 0.31% of the state's total. The rape rate per 1,000 residents peaked at 0.51 in 2022, up from 0.33 in 2019. This recent uptick suggests a concerning trend that warrants attention from local law enforcement and community leaders.
Robbery trends in the city show a general decline over the years, with some fluctuations. The number of robberies decreased from 14 in 2010 to 4 in 2022, representing a 71.4% reduction. The robbery rate per 1,000 residents fell from 1.32 in 2010 to 0.34 in 2022. The city's contribution to state robbery statistics also decreased, from 0.19% in 2010 to 0.08% in 2022, indicating a significant improvement in this area of violent crime.
Aggravated assault has been the most prevalent form of violent crime in the city, showing considerable variation over the years. The number of incidents rose from 33 in 2010 to 37 in 2022, a 12.1% increase. However, when adjusted for population growth, the rate per 1,000 residents remained relatively stable, moving from 3.10 in 2010 to 3.14 in 2022. The city's contribution to state aggravated assault statistics fluctuated between 0.06% and 0.25% during this period, with the most recent figure at 0.15% in 2022.
Examining correlations between violent crime trends and demographic factors reveals some noteworthy patterns. The city's population density increased from 3,791 per square mile in 2010 to 4,204 in 2022, coinciding with the overall population growth. This increased density appears to have a moderate correlation with the fluctuations in violent crime, particularly aggravated assaults. Additionally, there's a noticeable correlation between the slight increase in the Black population percentage (from 7% in 2013 to 17% in 2022) and the variations in violent crime rates, though this relationship requires careful interpretation to avoid unfounded assumptions.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a potential continuation of the current patterns. The total number of violent crimes is projected to remain relatively stable, with possible slight increases in aggravated assaults and rapes, while robberies may continue their downward trend. However, these predictions should be viewed cautiously, as local interventions and socioeconomic changes can significantly impact crime rates.
In summary, Benson has experienced a complex evolution in its violent crime landscape from 2010 to 2022. While some categories like robbery have shown improvement, others such as aggravated assault and recent rape statistics present ongoing challenges. The city's growth and changing demographics appear to have some influence on these trends, highlighting the need for adaptive law enforcement strategies and community-based crime prevention initiatives to address the evolving nature of violent crime in this North Carolina town.