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Property Crime Decline in Sparta, Illinois: A Decade of Significant Reduction
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Sparta, located in Illinois, presents an intriguing case study in property crime trends. From 2010 to 2022, the city experienced a significant decrease in total property crimes, dropping from 99 incidents in 2010 to 32 in 2022, representing a 67.7% reduction. This decline occurred alongside a population decrease from 6,399 in 2010 to 5,460 in 2022, a 14.7% reduction.
Burglary rates in the city show a notable downward trend. In 2010, there were 21 burglaries, which decreased to just 4 in 2022, a substantial 81% reduction. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate fell from 3.28 per 1,000 residents in 2010 to 0.73 per 1,000 in 2022. Interestingly, despite this decrease, the city's share of state burglaries fluctuated, peaking at 0.08% in 2013 before declining to 0.02% in 2022. This suggests that while burglaries decreased locally, they may have decreased at a slower rate statewide.
Larceny-theft, the most common property crime in the city, also saw a significant decline. In 2010, there were 78 larceny-thefts, which dropped to 28 in 2022, a 64.1% decrease. The rate per 1,000 residents fell from 12.19 in 2010 to 5.13 in 2022. The city's contribution to state larceny-theft figures decreased from 0.05% in 2010 to 0.03% in 2022, indicating that the local reduction outpaced the state average.
Motor vehicle theft in the city has been relatively low and inconsistent. There were no reported cases in 2010 and 2022, with a peak of 3 incidents in 2013. This translates to a rate of 0.5 per 1,000 residents at its highest in 2013. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts remained minimal, never exceeding 0.02% during the period.
Arson cases in the city have been rare, with only one reported incident each in 2010 and 2011, and none reported in subsequent years. This translates to a rate of 0.16 per 1,000 residents in those years. The city's contribution to state arson figures was 0.1% in 2010 and 0.11% in 2011, dropping to 0% thereafter.
A strong correlation exists between the decline in property crimes and changes in population density. As the population density decreased from 573 per square mile in 2010 to 489 in 2022, property crimes also fell. Additionally, there appears to be a relationship between rising median income and decreasing property crime rates. The median income increased from $47,867 in 2013 to $55,890 in 2022, coinciding with the overall reduction in property crimes.
Applying predictive models based on the observed trends, it's projected that by 2029 (five years from now), Sparta may see a further reduction in property crimes. Burglaries could potentially decrease to 1-2 incidents per year, larceny-thefts may drop to around 20 cases annually, and motor vehicle thefts and arsons are likely to remain at or near zero.
In summary, Sparta has experienced a significant and consistent decrease in property crimes over the past decade, outpacing both its population decline and state averages in several categories. This trend, coupled with rising incomes and changing demographics, suggests a positive shift in the city's safety profile. As the city continues to evolve, maintaining these low crime rates will be crucial for sustaining community well-being and attracting new residents and businesses.
