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Haleyville, Alabama: Rising Violent Crime Amid Population Decline
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Haleyville, located in Alabama, presents an interesting case study in violent crime trends over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes in the city increased from 10 to 23, marking a 130% increase. During this same period, the population decreased from 8,518 to 7,412, a decline of approximately 13%.
The murder rate in Haleyville has remained consistently at zero throughout the recorded years, from 2010 to 2022. This statistic is particularly noteworthy given the population decline, as it indicates that the city has managed to maintain a zero murder rate despite changing demographics. The percentage of state murders attributable to Haleyville has consequently remained at 0% throughout this period.
Rape incidents in the city have fluctuated over time. In 2010, there were 2 reported cases, which increased to 8 in 2012, representing a 300% increase. However, by 2022, the number had decreased back to 2 cases. When adjusted for population, the rape rate per 1,000 people increased from 0.23 in 2010 to 0.92 in 2012, before declining to 0.27 in 2022. The city's percentage of state rape cases has varied, peaking at 0.95% in 2012 and settling at 0.23% in 2022.
Robbery trends in Haleyville have been sporadic. The city reported no robberies in 2010 and 2012, but saw 3 cases in 2011, and single incidents in 2015 and 2016. By 2022, robberies had returned to zero. The robbery rate per 1,000 people peaked at 0.35 in 2011 but has since dropped to zero. The city's contribution to state robbery figures has remained minimal, never exceeding 0.07% of the state total.
Aggravated assault has shown a clear upward trend in Haleyville. From 8 cases in 2010, the number increased to 21 in 2022, representing a 162.5% increase. When adjusted for population, the rate of aggravated assaults per 1,000 people rose from 0.94 in 2010 to 2.83 in 2022. The city's share of state aggravated assaults has also increased, from 0.13% in 2010 to 0.18% in 2022.
There appears to be a correlation between the increase in violent crime, particularly aggravated assaults, and changes in the city's racial composition. The percentage of white residents decreased from 93% in 2013 to 87% in 2022, while the Hispanic population increased from 5% to 9% during the same period. This demographic shift coincided with the rise in violent crimes, although a direct causal relationship cannot be established without further investigation.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends, it is estimated that by 2029, Haleyville may see approximately 28-30 violent crimes annually if current trends continue. This projection assumes a continued gradual increase in aggravated assaults, which have been the primary driver of the city's violent crime statistics.
In summary, Haleyville has experienced a significant increase in violent crimes over the past decade, primarily driven by a rise in aggravated assaults. This trend has occurred against a backdrop of population decline and shifting demographics. While the city has maintained a zero murder rate and low robbery incidents, the increase in aggravated assaults and fluctuating rape cases warrant attention from local law enforcement and community leaders to address the underlying factors contributing to these trends.
