Loading Content...
Property Crime Trends in Moody, Alabama: A Decade of Change Amid Population Growth
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Moody, Alabama has experienced significant changes in property crime rates alongside substantial population growth over the past decade. From 2011 to 2022, the total number of property crimes decreased by 49.82%, from 279 to 140 incidents. During this same period, the population grew by 27.47%, from 14,851 to 18,930 residents, indicating a notable improvement in public safety despite the expanding community.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a consistent downward trend. In 2011, there were 56 reported burglaries, which decreased to just 12 in 2022, representing a 78.57% reduction. When adjusted for population growth, the burglary rate per 1,000 residents fell from 3.77 in 2011 to 0.63 in 2022, a substantial 83.29% decrease. The city's share of state burglaries also declined from 0.15% to 0.11% during this period, suggesting improved local crime prevention efforts compared to the state average.
Larceny theft, the most common property crime in the area, also experienced a significant decline. The number of incidents dropped from 203 in 2011 to 95 in 2022, a 53.20% decrease. Adjusted for population, the rate per 1,000 residents fell from 13.67 to 5.02, a 63.28% reduction. However, the city's contribution to state larceny theft cases remained relatively stable, decreasing slightly from 0.23% to 0.20%, indicating that the local improvement was somewhat in line with statewide trends.
Motor vehicle theft presented a more complex pattern. While the number of incidents increased from 20 in 2011 to 33 in 2022, a 65% rise, the rate per 1,000 residents only increased by 29.44%, from 1.35 to 1.74, due to population growth. Notably, the city's share of state motor vehicle thefts rose significantly from 0.24% to 0.49%, suggesting a localized increase in this crime type relative to state trends.
Arson data for the city is largely unavailable, with only two data points: zero incidents reported in both 2011 and 2022. This lack of data prevents a meaningful analysis of arson trends in the community.
Examining correlations between crime trends and demographic factors reveals interesting patterns. The decrease in property crimes coincides with a rise in median income, which grew from $61,355 in 2013 to $69,884 in 2022. This suggests that improving economic conditions may have contributed to reduced property crime rates. Additionally, the relatively stable homeownership rate, hovering around 80% throughout the period, may have played a role in maintaining community stability and deterring property crimes.
Applying predictive models based on the observed trends, it's projected that by 2029, the city could see further reductions in burglary and larceny theft rates. Burglaries might decrease to around 5-7 incidents per year, while larceny theft could potentially drop to approximately 70-80 cases annually. However, motor vehicle theft rates may continue to rise, potentially reaching 40-45 incidents per year if current trends persist.
In summary, Moody has demonstrated a remarkable improvement in overall property crime rates despite significant population growth. The substantial decreases in burglary and larceny theft, coupled with rising median incomes, suggest a positive trajectory for community safety and economic well-being. However, the increasing trend in motor vehicle thefts presents an area for focused intervention. These findings highlight the city's success in crime reduction strategies while identifying specific challenges that may require targeted efforts in the coming years.
