Loading Content...
Property Crime Decline in Booneville, Arkansas: A Decade of Significant Reduction
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Booneville, Arkansas, presents an intriguing case study in property crime trends over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes decreased significantly from 136 to 51, representing a 62.5% reduction. During this same period, the population declined from 6,819 to 5,654, a 17.1% decrease.
The burglary rate in the city has shown a notable downward trend. In 2010, there were 51 burglaries, which dropped to just 8 in 2022, marking an 84.3% decrease. When adjusted for population changes, the burglary rate per 1,000 residents fell from 7.48 in 2010 to 1.41 in 2022. The city's share of state burglaries also declined, from 0.23% in 2010 to 0.08% in 2022. This substantial reduction in burglaries suggests improved security measures or more effective law enforcement strategies in the community.
Larceny-theft incidents have also decreased over time, though not as dramatically as burglaries. In 2010, there were 82 larceny-theft cases, which reduced to 39 in 2022, a 52.4% decrease. The rate per 1,000 residents dropped from 12.03 in 2010 to 6.90 in 2022. The city's proportion of state larceny-thefts decreased from 0.16% to 0.09% during this period. This trend indicates a general improvement in property security or a shift in criminal behavior within the community.
Motor vehicle theft rates have fluctuated but remained relatively low. In 2010, there were 3 cases, which increased to 4 in 2022. Despite this small numerical increase, the rate per 1,000 residents actually rose slightly from 0.44 to 0.71 due to the population decrease. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts remained low but increased from 0.08% to 0.07%. These figures suggest that while motor vehicle theft is not a major concern, it has not seen the same level of improvement as other property crimes.
Arson cases in the city have been sporadic and infrequent. There were 2 cases in 2010, and 1 case in 2022, with several years reporting no incidents. The rate per 1,000 residents decreased slightly from 0.29 to 0.18. Interestingly, despite the low numbers, the city's share of state arsons has fluctuated, reaching 0.31% in 2022, up from 0.54% in 2010. This suggests that while arson is not a frequent occurrence, it remains a concern relative to state levels.
A strong correlation exists between the declining property crime rates and the city's decreasing population density. As the population density dropped from 1,729 per square mile in 2010 to 1,433 in 2022, overall property crime rates also fell. Additionally, there appears to be a correlation between rising median income and decreasing property crime rates. The median income increased from $30,986 in 2013 to $41,873 in 2022, coinciding with the overall reduction in property crimes.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (until 2029), we anticipate a continued gradual decrease in overall property crime rates. Burglaries are expected to stabilize at very low levels, possibly reaching single digits annually. Larceny-theft is projected to continue its downward trend but at a slower rate, potentially reaching around 30 cases per year. Motor vehicle theft is likely to remain relatively stable, fluctuating between 3 to 5 cases annually. Arson cases are expected to remain sporadic and infrequent, with years of no incidents interspersed with occasional single cases.
In summary, Booneville has experienced a significant reduction in property crimes over the past decade, particularly in burglaries and larceny-thefts. This improvement has occurred against a backdrop of declining population and increasing median income. The city's share of state property crimes has generally decreased, indicating better-than-average progress in crime reduction compared to the rest of Arkansas. These trends suggest a safer community environment, potentially influenced by improved economic conditions and effective local crime prevention strategies.
