Loading Content...
Property Crime Trends in Virginia, Illinois: A Small Community's Shifting Safety Landscape
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Virginia, Illinois, a small community, has experienced notable changes in property crime rates alongside population fluctuations in recent years. Between 2011 and 2015, the total number of property crimes decreased significantly from 17 to 3, representing an 82.35% reduction. During this same period, the population declined from 1,977 in 2011 to 1,667 in 2015, a decrease of 15.68%.
Burglary trends in the city show a notable decline. In 2011, there were 8 burglaries reported, constituting 0.01% of the state's total. However, from 2012 to 2015, no burglaries were recorded. This sharp decrease, from 4.05 burglaries per 1,000 people in 2011 to zero in subsequent years, suggests a significant improvement in home and property security within the community.
Larceny-theft incidents also demonstrated a downward trend. In 2011, 9 cases were reported, representing 0.01% of the state's total. This figure dropped to zero in 2012 and 2013 before slightly increasing to 1 in 2014 and 3 in 2015. The rate per 1,000 people decreased from 4.55 in 2011 to 1.80 in 2015, indicating an overall improvement despite the small uptick in later years.
Motor vehicle theft and arson rates remained consistently at zero from 2011 to 2015. This absence of reported cases suggests that these specific property crimes were not significant issues for the community during this period.
When examining correlations between property crime trends and other socioeconomic factors, a notable relationship emerges with median income. As the median income increased from $45,721 in 2013 to $50,944 in 2015, property crimes decreased. This suggests that improved economic conditions may have contributed to the reduction in property crime rates.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029), we anticipate a continued low rate of property crimes, assuming socioeconomic factors remain stable. The model suggests that larceny-theft may fluctuate between 1 to 3 cases annually, while burglary, motor vehicle theft, and arson are likely to remain at or near zero.
In summary, Virginia has experienced a significant reduction in property crimes over the observed period, particularly in burglary and larceny-theft. The absence of motor vehicle theft and arson, combined with the overall decline in other property crimes, paints a picture of a community that has become safer over time. The correlation between rising median income and decreasing crime rates suggests that economic improvements may play a role in enhancing community safety. As the city moves forward, maintaining these positive trends will be crucial for the continued well-being of its residents.
