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Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Galena, a small urban area in Illinois with a population of 4,436 as of 2022, has experienced fluctuations in violent crime rates over the past decade while its population has shown a slight overall decrease. From 2011 to 2020, the total number of violent crimes in Galena varied, ranging from a low of 1 incident in 2013 and 2014 to a high of 7 incidents in 2011. During this period, the population decreased modestly from 4,500 in 2011 to 4,436 in 2022, representing a 1.4% decline.
Examining specific crime categories, Galena has maintained an exemplary record with zero reported cases of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter throughout the entire period from 2011 to 2020. This statistic remains constant despite population changes, resulting in a consistent 0 murders per 1,000 residents. The city's contribution to the state's murder rate has also remained at 0% throughout this period, indicating a remarkably safe environment in terms of homicides.
Rape incidents in Galena have fluctuated over the years. The city reported no rapes in 2011, 2014, and 2018, while the highest number was recorded in 2020 with 4 cases. This translates to a rate of 0.96 rapes per 1,000 residents in 2020, a significant increase from previous years. The city's contribution to the state's rape statistics peaked in 2020 at 0.12% of all rapes in Illinois, up from 0% in several earlier years. This trend suggests an increase in sexual violence that warrants attention from local law enforcement and community leaders.
Robbery has been virtually non-existent in Galena, with zero reported cases from 2011 to 2020, except for a single incident recorded in 2016. This translates to a rate of 0.23 robberies per 1,000 residents in 2016, dropping back to 0 in subsequent years. The city's contribution to the state's robbery statistics has consistently been 0%, indicating that Galena is not a significant factor in Illinois' overall robbery rates.
Aggravated assault cases in Galena have shown some variability. The highest number of cases was 7 in 2011, which equated to 1.56 assaults per 1,000 residents. The lowest was 1 case in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2018. In 2020, there were 2 aggravated assaults, or 0.48 per 1,000 residents. The city's contribution to the state's aggravated assault statistics has remained relatively low, peaking at 0.03% in 2011 and generally staying below 0.02% in most years. This suggests that while aggravated assaults do occur, they are not a major concern compared to state-wide figures.
When examining correlations between violent crime trends and demographic factors, a notable relationship emerges with the racial composition of the city. As the white population percentage increased from 88% in 2019 to 96% in 2022, there was a concurrent decrease in violent crimes, particularly in rape and aggravated assault cases. This correlation suggests that changes in the city's demographic makeup may have some influence on crime rates, though it's important to note that correlation does not imply causation.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029), we can anticipate a potential slight decrease in overall violent crime rates if current demographic and socioeconomic trends continue. The model suggests that rape incidents may stabilize at 1-2 cases per year, while aggravated assaults could remain at 2-3 cases annually. Robberies are predicted to remain rare, with possibly one incident every few years. Murders are expected to continue their absence from the city's crime statistics.
In summary, Galena has maintained a relatively low violent crime rate over the past decade, with notable fluctuations in specific categories such as rape and aggravated assault. The absence of murders and the rarity of robberies contribute to the city's overall safety profile. However, the increase in rape cases in recent years is a concern that local authorities should address. As the city continues to evolve demographically, ongoing monitoring and community-based crime prevention strategies will be crucial in maintaining and improving public safety in Galena.