Loading Content...
Property Crime Trends in Temple, Texas: A Decade of Growth and Declining Crime Rates
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Temple, Texas, located approximately 65 miles north of Austin, has experienced significant changes in property crime rates alongside substantial population growth over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes in Temple decreased by 25.5%, from 2,079 to 1,549 incidents. During the same period, the city's population grew by 34.1%, from 66,686 to 89,455 residents, indicating a notable improvement in overall property crime rates relative to population growth.
Burglary trends in the city have shown a marked decline over the years. In 2010, there were 537 reported burglaries, which decreased to 191 by 2022, representing a 64.4% reduction. When adjusted for population growth, the burglary rate per 1,000 residents fell from 8.05 in 2010 to 2.13 in 2022, a substantial 73.5% decrease. The city's share of state burglaries fluctuated over the years, peaking at 0.5% in 2015 before declining to 0.24% in 2022. This downward trend in burglaries suggests improved home security measures or more effective law enforcement strategies in the area.
Larceny theft, the most common property crime in the city, has also seen a decrease, albeit less dramatic than burglary. In 2010, there were 1,462 reported larceny thefts, which decreased to 1,220 by 2022, a 16.6% reduction. The larceny theft rate per 1,000 residents declined from 21.92 in 2010 to 13.64 in 2022, a 37.8% decrease when accounting for population growth. The city's proportion of state larceny thefts remained relatively stable, increasing slightly from 0.27% in 2010 to 0.3% in 2022. This trend indicates that while larceny theft remains a concern, its prevalence is decreasing relative to the growing population.
Motor vehicle theft trends have been more volatile. In 2010, there were 80 reported motor vehicle thefts, which increased to 138 by 2022, a 72.5% rise. However, when adjusted for population growth, the rate per 1,000 residents increased from 1.20 in 2010 to 1.54 in 2022, a more modest 28.3% increase. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts rose from 0.14% in 2010 to 0.17% in 2022, peaking at 0.5% in 2020. This trend suggests that motor vehicle theft has become a growing concern in the city, potentially requiring targeted prevention efforts.
Arson incidents, while relatively low in number, have shown significant fluctuations. In 2010, there were 3 reported arsons, which increased to 8 in 2022, a 166.7% increase. The arson rate per 1,000 residents rose from 0.045 in 2010 to 0.089 in 2022, a 97.8% increase when accounting for population growth. The city's proportion of state arsons increased dramatically from 0.07% in 2010 to 0.37% in 2022, peaking at 0.58% in 2018. While the numbers are small, this trend warrants attention from local fire and law enforcement agencies.
Examining correlations between property crime trends and socioeconomic factors reveals some interesting patterns. As the population density increased from 924 people per square mile in 2010 to 1,240 in 2022, overall property crime rates decreased, suggesting that increased urbanization did not lead to higher crime rates. Additionally, there appears to be a positive correlation between rising median income (from $46,590 in 2013 to $63,219 in 2022) and decreasing property crime rates, particularly for burglary and larceny theft.
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. Burglary and larceny theft are expected to decrease further, while motor vehicle theft may stabilize or show a slight increase. Arson incidents, due to their low numbers and high variability, are difficult to predict accurately but may require continued vigilance.
In summary, Temple has demonstrated a positive trend in reducing overall property crime rates despite significant population growth. The substantial decrease in burglary rates and the moderate decline in larceny theft are particularly noteworthy. However, the increase in motor vehicle thefts and the fluctuations in arson incidents highlight areas that may require targeted interventions. The correlation between rising incomes and decreasing property crime rates suggests that continued economic development may contribute to further reductions in property crime. As the city continues to grow, maintaining and enhancing these positive trends will be crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents.
