Loading Content...
Loading Content...
Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Boonville, Missouri, presents an intriguing case study in property crime trends over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes in this small Midwestern city has seen a significant decrease of 26.67%, dropping from 240 incidents in 2010 to 176 in 2022. This decline in property crime occurred against the backdrop of a population decrease of 8.14%, from 10,635 residents in 2010 to 9,769 in 2022.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a notable downward trend over the years. In 2010, there were 24 burglary incidents, which peaked at 50 in 2016 before declining to 20 in 2022, representing a 16.67% decrease over the 12-year period. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate per 1,000 residents decreased from 2.26 in 2010 to 2.05 in 2022, indicating a slight improvement in public safety. Interestingly, despite the overall decrease in burglaries, the city's share of state burglaries increased from 0.07% in 2010 to 0.15% in 2022, suggesting that the reduction in burglaries may not have kept pace with statewide improvements.
Larceny-theft, the most common property crime in the city, exhibited a substantial decrease over the studied period. The number of incidents fell from 213 in 2010 to 142 in 2022, a 33.33% reduction. When adjusted for population, the rate of larceny-theft per 1,000 residents decreased from 20.03 in 2010 to 14.54 in 2022, indicating a significant improvement in this category. The city's contribution to state larceny-theft figures remained relatively stable, moving from 0.19% in 2010 to 0.18% in 2022, suggesting that the local reduction in larceny-theft was consistent with statewide trends.
Motor vehicle theft trends in the city present a more complex picture. The number of incidents increased from 3 in 2010 to 14 in 2022, a substantial 366.67% increase. When adjusted for population, the rate of motor vehicle theft per 1,000 residents rose from 0.28 in 2010 to 1.43 in 2022. This increase is particularly notable as it occurred during a period of population decline. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts also increased significantly, from 0.02% in 2010 to 0.06% in 2022, indicating that the rise in motor vehicle thefts outpaced statewide trends.
Arson incidents in the city have remained relatively low but showed some fluctuation. From no reported cases in 2010, arson incidents peaked at 3 in 2017 before settling at 2 in 2022. The arson rate per 1,000 residents increased from 0 in 2010 to 0.20 in 2022. The city's contribution to state arson figures also increased notably, from 0% in 2010 to 0.33% in 2022, suggesting that arson has become a relatively more significant issue in the city compared to the state average.
Examining correlations between property crime trends and socioeconomic factors reveals some interesting patterns. There appears to be a moderate negative correlation between median income and overall property crime rates. As the median income increased from $46,035 in 2013 to $50,808 in 2022, there was a general downward trend in property crimes, particularly in burglary and larceny-theft. Additionally, there seems to be a positive correlation between homeownership rates and reduced property crime. As the percentage of owner-occupied housing increased from 69% in 2013 to 73% in 2022, overall property crime rates declined.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a continued overall decline in property crimes, with some variations across categories. Burglary and larceny-theft are projected to continue their downward trend, potentially reaching historic lows. However, motor vehicle theft is predicted to stabilize or potentially increase slightly if current trends persist. Arson incidents are expected to remain low but may fluctuate year to year due to their infrequent nature.
In conclusion, Boonville has shown a generally positive trend in property crime reduction over the past decade, particularly in burglary and larceny-theft. This improvement, occurring alongside increases in median income and homeownership rates, suggests a strengthening community fabric. However, the rise in motor vehicle thefts and the slight uptick in arson incidents warrant continued attention from local law enforcement and community leaders. As the city moves forward, maintaining focus on these areas while building upon the successes in reducing other property crimes will be crucial for ensuring the continued safety and well-being of its residents.