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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Kent, Ohio, a city known for hosting Kent State University, has experienced significant fluctuations in property crime rates over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes decreased by 48.18%, from 631 to 327 incidents. During this same period, the population remained relatively stable, with a slight increase of 0.15% from 33,397 to 33,346 residents.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a substantial decline over the years. In 2010, there were 156 burglaries reported, which decreased to 47 in 2022, representing a 69.87% reduction. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate per 1,000 residents fell from 4.67 in 2010 to 1.41 in 2022. The city's share of state burglaries remained relatively consistent, fluctuating between 0.19% and 0.33% throughout the period. This significant decrease in burglaries suggests improved home security measures or more effective law enforcement strategies.
Larceny-theft, the most common property crime in the city, also experienced a downward trend. In 2010, there were 451 larceny-theft incidents, which decreased to 258 in 2022, a 42.79% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents dropped from 13.50 in 2010 to 7.74 in 2022. The city's proportion of state larceny-theft cases varied between 0.25% and 0.45% over the years. This decline in larceny-theft could indicate increased community awareness and improved prevention measures.
Motor vehicle theft rates fluctuated but showed an overall decrease. In 2010, there were 24 reported cases, which decreased to 22 in 2022, an 8.33% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents slightly decreased from 0.72 in 2010 to 0.66 in 2022. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts ranged from 0.07% to 0.20%. This relatively stable trend suggests that while improvements have been made, vehicle theft remains a persistent issue.
Arson cases in the city have significantly decreased over the years. In 2010, there were 19 reported arsons, which dropped to just 1 in 2022, a 94.74% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents fell from 0.57 in 2010 to 0.03 in 2022. The city's proportion of state arson cases fluctuated between 0.08% and 0.70%. This dramatic decrease in arson cases is a positive development for public safety in the community.
Examining correlations between property crime trends and demographic factors reveals some interesting patterns. As the median income increased from $40,675 in 2013 to $48,099 in 2022, property crime rates generally decreased. This suggests a potential link between improved economic conditions and reduced property crime. Additionally, the slight increase in homeownership from 44% in 2013 to 47% in 2022 coincided with the overall decrease in property crimes, potentially indicating that higher rates of homeownership contribute to community stability and reduced crime rates.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a continued overall decline in property crime rates. Based on current trends, it's estimated that by 2029, the total number of property crimes could decrease to around 250-275 incidents per year. Burglaries may continue to decline, potentially reaching 30-35 cases annually. Larceny-theft is predicted to stabilize around 200-225 incidents per year. Motor vehicle theft might see a slight increase to 25-30 cases annually, while arson cases are expected to remain very low, likely between 0-2 incidents per year.
In summary, Kent has made significant strides in reducing property crime rates over the past decade, with notable decreases in burglaries, larceny-thefts, and arsons. The correlation between rising median incomes and declining crime rates suggests that economic improvements may contribute to enhanced public safety. While challenges remain, particularly in motor vehicle theft, the overall trend is positive. As the city continues to evolve, maintaining focus on community-based crime prevention strategies and economic development could further reinforce these encouraging trends in property crime reduction.