Loading Content...
Property Crime Trends in Newton, Kansas: A Decade of Fluctuations
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Newton, Kansas, a city of approximately 21,086 residents as of 2022, has experienced notable fluctuations in property crime rates over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes increased by 14.19%, from 430 to 491 incidents. During this same period, the population remained relatively stable, with a slight decrease of 0.63% from 21,220 to 21,086 residents.
Burglary trends in the city have shown significant variability. In 2010, there were 83 burglaries, which peaked at 140 in 2012, before declining to 60 in 2021. However, 2022 saw a sharp increase to 142 burglaries. The burglary rate per 1,000 people rose from 3.91 in 2010 to 6.73 in 2022, a 72.12% increase. Notably, the city's share of state burglaries grew substantially, from 0.56% in 2010 to 2.31% in 2022, indicating a disproportionate increase compared to state trends.
Larceny theft incidents fluctuated over the years, starting at 329 in 2010, peaking at 564 in 2017, and then decreasing to 321 in 2022. The rate per 1,000 people changed from 15.5 in 2010 to 15.22 in 2022, a slight decrease of 1.81%. The city's contribution to state larceny thefts increased from 0.62% in 2010 to 0.92% in 2022, suggesting a growing share of these crimes within the state context.
Motor vehicle theft showed an upward trend, increasing from 18 incidents in 2010 to 28 in 2022, a 55.56% rise. The rate per 1,000 people grew from 0.85 in 2010 to 1.33 in 2022, a 56.47% increase. The city's portion of state motor vehicle thefts rose from 0.35% to 0.54%, indicating a faster growth rate compared to the state average.
Arson cases in the city fluctuated, with 5 incidents in 2010, peaking at 8 in 2017 and 2018, before declining to 2 in 2022. The arson rate per 1,000 people decreased from 0.24 in 2010 to 0.09 in 2022, a 62.5% reduction. However, the city's share of state arson cases decreased from 1.12% to 0.7%, suggesting a relative improvement compared to state trends.
Analyzing correlations, there appears to be a strong relationship between property crime rates and changes in racial demographics. As the Hispanic population increased from 15% in 2013 to 18% in 2022, property crime rates showed a corresponding rise. Additionally, the growth in median income from $53,761 in 2013 to $63,786 in 2022 correlates with fluctuations in property crime rates, suggesting a complex relationship between economic factors and criminal activity.
Applying predictive models based on historical trends, it's projected that by 2029, Newton may experience a continued increase in burglaries and motor vehicle thefts, while larceny theft rates may stabilize or slightly decrease. Arson incidents are expected to remain low but could see occasional spikes.
In summary, Newton has faced challenges with property crime over the past decade, particularly in burglaries and motor vehicle thefts. The city's increasing share of state crime statistics in these categories suggests a need for targeted intervention strategies. The correlation between demographic changes, economic growth, and crime rates highlights the complex interplay of social and economic factors influencing criminal activity in the community.
