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Property Crime Surge in Mission Hills, Kansas: Affluence Attracts Attention
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Mission Hills, Kansas, a small city spanning just 2.04 square miles, has witnessed significant changes in property crime rates over the past decade. From 2011 to 2022, the total number of property crimes more than doubled, increasing from 45 to 94, representing a 108.89% rise. This substantial increase in crime occurred alongside a modest population growth of 1.52%, with the number of residents growing from 4,345 to 4,411 during the same period.
Burglary trends in Mission Hills have shown considerable volatility. In 2011, there were 5 reported burglaries, which peaked at 25 in 2021, before decreasing to 14 in 2022. This represents a 180% increase over the entire period. The burglary rate per 1,000 residents rose from 1.15 in 2011 to 3.17 in 2022. Notably, the city's share of state burglaries increased significantly, from 0.03% in 2011 to 0.23% in 2022, indicating a disproportionate rise compared to state trends.
Larceny theft in Mission Hills has demonstrated a more consistent upward trend. The number of cases increased from 40 in 2011 to 60 in 2022, marking a 50% rise. The rate per 1,000 residents grew from 9.21 to 13.60 over this period. However, the city's percentage of state larceny thefts increased more modestly, from 0.08% to 0.17%, suggesting that while larceny theft is growing locally, it's not outpacing state trends as dramatically as burglary.
Motor vehicle theft in Mission Hills has seen a significant increase. From zero reported cases in 2011, it rose to 20 cases in 2022. This translates to a rate increase from 0 to 4.53 per 1,000 residents. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts grew from 0% to 0.38%, indicating a substantial local increase relative to state trends.
Arson cases in Mission Hills have been sporadic and low in number. The city reported no cases in most years, with occasional single incidents in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Given the rarity of these events, meaningful trends are difficult to establish, but it's clear that arson is not a persistent problem in the city.
There appears to be a correlation between the rise in property crimes and the city's increasing median income. From 2013 to 2022, the median income rose from $180,787 to $181,445, while property crimes increased. This could suggest that the area's growing affluence may be attracting more property crime. Additionally, the slight increase in racial diversity, particularly the growth of the Asian population from 0% in 2013 to 6% in 2022, coincides with the rise in property crimes, though this correlation should be interpreted cautiously.
Applying predictive models based on the observed trends, it is forecasted that property crimes in Mission Hills may continue to increase over the next seven years (up to 2029). If current trends persist, the city could see around 150-170 property crimes annually by 2029, with motor vehicle theft and larceny likely contributing significantly to this increase.
In summary, Mission Hills has experienced a notable increase in property crimes, particularly in burglary, larceny theft, and motor vehicle theft, over the past decade. This trend has outpaced population growth and, in some cases, state averages. The city's increasing affluence and changing demographics may be factors in this trend. As Mission Hills continues to evolve, addressing these property crime challenges while maintaining its small-town character will be crucial for local policymakers and law enforcement.
