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Property Crime Trends in Country Club Hills, Missouri: A Tale of Declining Population and Shifting Crime Patterns
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Country Club Hills, Missouri, presents an intriguing case study in property crime trends. This small municipality has experienced significant changes in both its property crime rates and population over the years. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes fluctuated, ultimately decreasing by 27.87% from 61 to 44 incidents. During the same period, the population declined by 25.88%, from 1,132 to 839 residents, suggesting a complex interplay between demographic shifts and criminal activity.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a notable downward trend over the years. In 2010, there were 23 burglaries reported, which dropped to just 1 incident in 2022, representing a dramatic 95.65% decrease. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate fell from 20.32 per 1,000 people in 2010 to 1.19 per 1,000 in 2022. The city's share of state burglaries also decreased significantly, from 0.07% in 2010 to 0.01% in 2022. This substantial reduction in burglaries suggests improved security measures or changing socioeconomic factors within the community.
Larceny-theft incidents have also decreased, though less dramatically than burglaries. The number of larceny-thefts dropped from 31 in 2010 to 21 in 2022, a 32.26% decrease. The rate per 1,000 people actually increased slightly from 27.38 in 2010 to 25.03 in 2022, due to the population decline. The city's contribution to state larceny-theft remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 0.02% and 0.04% throughout the period. This trend indicates that while overall incidents have decreased, larceny-theft remains a persistent issue relative to the city's shrinking population.
Motor vehicle theft presents a concerning trend, with incidents increasing from 7 in 2010 to 22 in 2022, a substantial 214.29% rise. The rate per 1,000 people jumped from 6.18 in 2010 to 26.22 in 2022. More alarmingly, the city's share of state motor vehicle thefts increased from 0.05% to 0.09% over this period. This surge suggests that motor vehicle theft has become a growing problem for the community, potentially requiring targeted interventions.
Arson incidents in Country Club Hills have been sporadic and relatively low. The city reported only one arson case in 2010 and four in 2014, with no reported incidents in other years. Given the infrequent nature of these events, it's challenging to discern a clear trend or make meaningful comparisons to state percentages or population rates.
Examining correlations between crime trends and socioeconomic factors reveals some interesting patterns. The decline in overall property crime rates coincides with a decrease in population density, which fell from 6,070 per square mile in 2010 to 4,499 in 2022. Additionally, the percentage of owner-occupied housing units decreased from 52% in 2013 to 30% in 2022, potentially influencing community stability and crime rates.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a potential continuation of current patterns. Overall property crime may continue to decrease slightly, with burglary and larceny-theft likely to remain at low levels. However, motor vehicle theft could potentially continue its upward trend unless mitigated by targeted law enforcement efforts or community initiatives.
In summary, Country Club Hills has experienced a complex evolution in its property crime landscape. The significant reduction in burglaries and overall property crime, juxtaposed with the rise in motor vehicle thefts, paints a nuanced picture of the city's public safety challenges. These trends, coupled with demographic changes, underscore the need for adaptive strategies to maintain and improve community safety in this evolving urban environment.
