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Property Crime Decline in North Myrtle Beach: A Decade of Improvement Amidst Population Growth
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
North Myrtle Beach, located in South Carolina, has experienced significant changes in property crime rates alongside substantial population growth over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes decreased by 52.3%, from 1,813 to 864 incidents. During this same period, the population grew by 41.3%, from 19,319 to 27,292 residents, indicating a notable improvement in overall property crime rates relative to population size.
Burglary incidents in the city have shown a dramatic decline over the years. In 2010, there were 476 burglaries, which decreased to 75 in 2022, representing an 84.2% reduction. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate per 1,000 residents fell from 24.6 in 2010 to 2.7 in 2022, a substantial improvement in public safety. The city's share of state burglaries also decreased from 2.97% in 2010 to 1.1% in 2022, indicating that the local reduction outpaced the state-wide trend. This significant decrease in burglaries suggests effective crime prevention strategies and improved security measures within the community.
Larceny-theft, the most common property crime in the city, also experienced a notable decrease. In 2010, there were 1,183 larceny-theft incidents, which reduced to 733 in 2022, a 38% decrease. The rate per 1,000 residents dropped from 61.2 in 2010 to 26.9 in 2022. Interestingly, while the number of incidents decreased, the city's share of state larceny-theft incidents decreased only slightly from 2.07% to 1.66%, suggesting that the reduction in this crime category was somewhat in line with state-wide trends. The consistent decrease in larceny-theft rates indicates improved community vigilance and potentially more effective law enforcement strategies.
Motor vehicle theft in the city showed fluctuations but an overall decreasing trend. From 154 incidents in 2010, it decreased to 56 in 2022, a 63.6% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents fell from 8 in 2010 to 2.1 in 2022. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts decreased from 3.4% to 1.12%, indicating a more significant local improvement compared to state-wide figures. This trend suggests enhanced vehicle security measures and potentially more focused law enforcement efforts on preventing this type of crime.
Arson cases in the city have remained relatively low throughout the period, with some fluctuations. The number of incidents ranged from a high of 8 in 2015 to a low of 1 in 2018, 2019, and 2022. The rate per 1,000 residents has consistently remained below 0.4 throughout the period. The city's share of state arson cases fluctuated, reaching a peak of 3.72% in 2015 and dropping to 0.44% in 2022. Given the low numbers, it's difficult to discern a clear trend, but the overall low incidence suggests effective fire prevention and investigation measures.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a strong inverse relationship between property crime rates and population density. As the population density increased from 888 per square mile in 2010 to 1,255 in 2022, property crime rates declined significantly. Additionally, there's a notable correlation between rising median income and decreasing property crime rates. The median income increased from $47,018 in 2013 to $59,242 in 2022, coinciding with the overall reduction in property crimes.
Applying predictive models based on current trends, it's projected that property crime rates will continue to decrease over the next five years, potentially reaching around 700 total incidents by 2029. This forecast assumes continued population growth and economic development in line with recent trends.
In conclusion, North Myrtle Beach has demonstrated a remarkable improvement in property crime rates over the past decade, particularly in burglary and motor vehicle theft. These positive trends, coupled with population growth and increasing median income, suggest a city that is becoming safer and more prosperous. The consistent decrease in crime rates, even as the population has grown, indicates effective law enforcement strategies and community engagement in crime prevention. If these trends continue, the city is poised to maintain its trajectory of improved public safety in the coming years.
