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Granite Falls, NC: Violent Crime Trends Show Overall Improvement Amid Changing Demographics
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Granite Falls, located in North Carolina, presents an interesting case study in violent crime trends over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes fluctuated, with notable changes in specific categories. During this period, the population saw modest growth, increasing from 10,429 in 2010 to 10,108 in 2022, representing a slight decrease of 3.1% over 12 years.
An analysis of murder rates in the city reveals a consistently low incidence. Throughout the entire period from 2010 to 2022, there were no reported murders. This statistic is particularly notable given the population fluctuations during this time. The absence of murders translates to a rate of 0 per 1,000 people, which has remained constant. Additionally, the city's contribution to the state's murder rate has consistently been 0%, indicating that Granite Falls has maintained a safer environment in terms of homicides compared to other areas in North Carolina.
Rape incidents in the city have shown some variability over the years. In 2010, there were 2 reported cases, which decreased to 1 in 2011 and 2012. Data for 2013 to 2018 is not available. However, in 2019, there were no reported rape cases, followed by an increase to 1 case in 2020, 3 cases in 2021, and 2 cases in 2022. The rate per 1,000 people fluctuated accordingly, reaching a peak of 0.29 per 1,000 in 2021. The city's contribution to the state's rape statistics varied, with the highest percentage being 0.18% in 2010 and 0.16% in 2021.
Robbery trends in the city have shown some fluctuation. In 2010, there was 1 reported robbery, which remained consistent in 2011. The number increased to 3 in 2012 and 2014, dropped to 0 in 2015, peaked at 5 in 2016, and then stabilized at 2-3 cases annually from 2018 to 2022. The robbery rate per 1,000 people reached its highest point in 2016 at 0.53 per 1,000. The city's contribution to the state's robbery statistics has generally been low, peaking at 0.1% in 2016 and remaining at or below 0.06% in other years.
Aggravated assault cases have shown considerable variation. The number of cases peaked at 10 in 2012, dropped to a low of 0 in 2016, and then fluctuated between 1 and 7 cases in subsequent years. The rate per 1,000 people for aggravated assault reached its highest point in 2012 at 0.97 per 1,000. The city's contribution to the state's aggravated assault statistics has generally been low, peaking at 0.07% in 2012 and remaining at or below 0.05% in other years.
When examining correlations between violent crime trends and demographic factors, a notable relationship emerges with the racial distribution in the city. As the percentage of white residents decreased from 95% in 2013 to 84% in 2022, there was a slight increase in the diversity of violent crimes reported. This correlation suggests that changing demographics may have some influence on crime patterns, though it's important to note that overall crime rates remained relatively low throughout the period.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029), we can anticipate a slight increase in overall violent crime incidents. Based on the historical data and current trends, it's projected that the city may see an average of 8-10 violent crimes annually by 2029, with robbery and aggravated assault likely to contribute the most to this figure.
In summary, Granite Falls has maintained relatively low violent crime rates over the past decade, with no reported murders and fluctuating but generally low numbers of other violent crimes. The changing demographic composition of the city appears to have some correlation with crime trends, though the overall impact has been minimal. As the city continues to evolve, maintaining community-based crime prevention strategies will be crucial in preserving the generally safe environment that has characterized Granite Falls in recent years.
