Loading Content...
Loading Content...
Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Bates City, Missouri, a small community located in the state's western region, has experienced fluctuating property crime rates over the years. From 2010 to 2018, the total number of property crimes varied, ranging from a low of 2 incidents in 2010 and 2012 to a high of 9 incidents in 2011 and 2017. This represents a 150% increase in property crimes over the eight-year period. During the same timeframe, the population grew from 2,127 in 2010 to 2,175 in 2018, a modest increase of 2.26%.
Burglary trends in the city have been inconsistent. In 2010 and 2012, there were no reported burglaries. However, the city experienced 2 burglaries in both 2011 and 2017, representing 0.01% of the state's total burglaries in those years. The burglary rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated accordingly, reaching a peak of 0.89 per 1,000 in 2011 and 2017. These sporadic occurrences suggest that while burglary is not a persistent problem, it does occur occasionally, potentially impacting residents' sense of security.
Larceny-theft has been the most consistent property crime in the city. The number of incidents ranged from 1 in 2010 to 5 in 2017. The larceny-theft rate per 1,000 residents varied from 0.47 in 2010 to 2.24 in 2017. Despite these fluctuations, the city's contribution to the state's total larceny-theft remained consistently at 0.0%, indicating that these crimes, while present, do not significantly impact state-wide statistics.
Motor vehicle theft in the city has shown considerable variation. In 2010, there was 1 incident, representing 0.01% of the state's total. This increased to 3 incidents in 2011 and 2016, accounting for 0.02% of the state's total in those years. The rate per 1,000 residents ranged from 0 in 2012 to 1.34 in 2011. These fluctuations suggest that while motor vehicle theft is not a constant concern, it does occur sporadically and at times contributes more significantly to the state's total.
Arson data is limited, with only one recorded incident in 2018. This single event accounted for 0.15% of the state's total arsons that year, resulting in a rate of 0.46 per 1,000 residents. While this isolated incident does not indicate a trend, it highlights the potential for such serious crimes to occur even in small communities.
Examining correlations between property crime trends and demographic factors reveals some interesting patterns. The city's population density decreased from 2,069 per square mile in 2014 to 1,918 in 2022, while the median income increased from $61,305 to $79,819 during the same period. Concurrently, property crime incidents decreased from 9 in 2017 to 5 in 2018. This suggests a potential negative correlation between rising incomes and property crime rates, although more data points would be needed to confirm this relationship.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) is challenging due to the limited and inconsistent data available. However, based on the overall decreasing trend observed from 2017 to 2018, and assuming the continued increase in median income, we might cautiously predict a slight downward trend in property crimes. The city could potentially see an average of 3-4 property crimes per year by 2029, barring any significant changes in socioeconomic conditions or law enforcement strategies.
In conclusion, Bates City has experienced fluctuating property crime rates over the years, with larceny-theft being the most consistent issue. The city's contribution to state-wide crime statistics remains minimal, but the sporadic nature of these incidents highlights the need for ongoing vigilance in this small community. The potential correlation between rising incomes and decreasing crime rates offers a positive outlook for the future, suggesting that continued economic growth could contribute to maintaining or further reducing property crime levels in Bates City.