Loading Content...
Property Crime Trends in Trenton, Georgia: A Small City's Growing Challenge
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Trenton, Georgia, a small community nestled in the northwestern part of the state, has experienced fluctuating property crime rates alongside modest population growth over the past decade. From 2010 to 2018, the total number of property crimes increased by 57.14%, from 35 to 55 incidents. During the same period, the population grew by 3.77%, from 3,477 to 3,608 residents, indicating a disproportionate rise in property crime compared to population growth.
Burglary trends in the city have shown significant variability. In 2010, there were 4 burglaries reported, which increased to 8 in 2011, representing a 100% increase. However, by 2018, burglaries decreased to 5 incidents. When considering the population, the burglary rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated from 1.15 in 2010 to 1.39 in 2018. The city's share of state burglaries also increased from 0.01% in 2010 to 0.04% in 2018, suggesting a growing contribution to the state's burglary statistics despite its small size.
Larceny-theft has been the most prevalent property crime in the city. In 2010, there were 25 larceny-theft incidents, which increased to 46 by 2018, marking an 84% increase. The rate per 1,000 residents rose from 7.19 in 2010 to 12.75 in 2018. The city's percentage of state larceny-theft incidents doubled from 0.03% to 0.06% over this period, indicating a growing problem relative to the state average.
Motor vehicle theft in the city has shown a less consistent pattern. In 2010, there were 6 incidents, which decreased to 1 in 2017 but then rose again to 4 in 2018. The rate per 1,000 residents decreased from 1.73 in 2010 to 1.11 in 2018. Interestingly, the city's share of state motor vehicle thefts remained relatively high, oscillating between 0.01% and 0.05%, suggesting that while numbers are low, they represent a significant portion of the state's incidents for a city of its size.
Arson data for the city is limited, with only one reported incident in 2010, representing 0.24% of state arsons. From 2012 to 2017, no arsons were reported, and data for 2018 is unavailable. This suggests that arson is not a significant concern for the city, though the lack of recent data makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions.
There appears to be a moderate correlation between property crime trends and population density. As the population density increased from 1,081 per square mile in 2010 to 1,122 in 2018, total property crimes also rose. Additionally, there seems to be an inverse relationship between median income and property crime rates. As median income decreased from $53,842 in 2013 to $40,965 in 2018, property crimes increased.
Applying predictive models based on historical trends, it is forecast that by 2029, property crime rates in the city may continue to increase moderately. The larceny-theft rate is expected to rise the most, potentially reaching up to 55-60 incidents per year. Burglaries may stabilize around 6-7 incidents annually, while motor vehicle thefts could fluctuate between 3-5 incidents per year.
In summary, Trenton has experienced a notable increase in property crimes, particularly larceny-theft, over the past decade. This trend has outpaced population growth, suggesting a growing challenge for local law enforcement. The city's contribution to state crime statistics has also increased, particularly in larceny-theft and burglary. The inverse relationship between median income and crime rates highlights the potential impact of economic factors on criminal activity. As the community looks toward the future, addressing these trends through targeted crime prevention strategies and economic development initiatives may be crucial for improving public safety and quality of life for residents.
