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Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Copperas Cove, Texas, a city of 44,519 residents as of 2022, has experienced significant fluctuations in its violent crime rates over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes decreased by 19.46%, from 149 to 120 incidents. During this same period, the city's population grew by 15.35%, from 38,595 to 44,519 residents, indicating a divergence between population growth and violent crime rates.
The murder rate in the city has shown considerable volatility. In 2010, there were 2 murders, dropping to zero in 2018 and 2019, before rising again to 4 in 2020, and then decreasing to 2 in 2022. The murder rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated from 0.052 in 2010 to 0.045 in 2022, showing a slight overall decrease. The city's percentage of state murders varied widely, from 0% in some years to a peak of 0.26% in 2020, suggesting that while murders are relatively rare, they can significantly impact the city's share of state crime statistics when they occur.
Rape incidents have shown a concerning upward trend. From 1 reported case in 2010, the number increased to 35 in 2022, a 3400% increase. The rate per 1,000 residents rose from 0.026 in 2010 to 0.786 in 2022. The city's share of state rape cases also increased dramatically, from 0.02% in 2010 to 0.31% in 2022, indicating that rape has become a more significant issue relative to state-wide statistics.
Robbery trends have been more stable, with some fluctuations. The number of robberies decreased from 15 in 2010 to 8 in 2022, a 46.67% reduction. The robbery rate per 1,000 residents fell from 0.389 to 0.180 over this period. The city's percentage of state robberies remained relatively low, peaking at 0.14% in 2016 and settling at 0.04% in 2022, suggesting that robbery is less of a concern compared to other violent crimes in the city.
Aggravated assault, the most common violent crime in the city, showed notable variations. The number of incidents decreased from 131 in 2010 to 75 in 2022, a 42.75% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents fell from 3.394 to 1.684. However, the city's share of state aggravated assaults fluctuated, peaking at 0.35% in 2017 before decreasing to 0.10% in 2022, indicating that while the absolute numbers have decreased, the city's contribution to state-wide aggravated assault statistics has varied significantly over time.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a relationship between the city's changing racial demographics and violent crime trends. As the white population percentage decreased from 64% in 2013 to 56% in 2022, and the Hispanic population increased from 14% to 19%, there were notable fluctuations in violent crime rates. However, it's important to note that correlation does not imply causation, and these demographic shifts coincided with various other social and economic factors that could influence crime rates.
Applying predictive models based on the observed trends, it's projected that by 2029 (five years from now), the city may see a slight decrease in overall violent crime rates if current trends continue. The murder rate is likely to remain low but volatile, while rape incidents may continue to be a growing concern. Robbery rates are expected to stabilize at current lower levels, and aggravated assaults may continue their gradual decline.
In conclusion, Copperas Cove has shown mixed trends in violent crime over the past decade. While some categories like robbery and aggravated assault have seen overall decreases, the significant rise in rape cases is a major concern. The city's changing demographics and growing population suggest a complex interplay of factors influencing crime rates. Moving forward, focused efforts on addressing sexual violence and maintaining the downward trend in other violent crime categories will be crucial for improving public safety in Copperas Cove.