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Property Crime Trends in Wake Village, Texas: A Decade of Decline Amid Population Growth
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Wake Village, located in Texas, has experienced fluctuating property crime rates over the past decade, set against a backdrop of population growth. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of property crimes decreased by 9.88%, from 81 to 73 incidents. During this same period, the population grew by 12.51%, from 5,317 to 5,982 residents, suggesting an overall improvement in property crime rates relative to population growth.
Burglary trends in the city have shown a significant decline over time. In 2010, there were 39 burglaries, which decreased to 15 in 2022, representing a 61.54% reduction. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate fell from 7.33 per 1,000 people in 2010 to 2.51 per 1,000 in 2022. The city's share of state burglaries remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 0.02% and 0.03% throughout the period. This substantial decrease in burglaries, both in absolute numbers and relative to population, indicates improved home and property security measures or more effective law enforcement strategies.
Larceny-theft incidents have shown more volatility but an overall increasing trend. In 2010, there were 34 larceny-thefts, which increased to 50 in 2022, a 47.06% rise. The rate per 1,000 people increased from 6.39 in 2010 to 8.36 in 2022. The city's contribution to state larceny-theft statistics remained constant at 0.01% to 0.02%. This increase in larceny-theft, despite population growth, may indicate a need for enhanced community awareness and preventive measures.
Motor vehicle theft in the city has remained relatively stable with minor fluctuations. There were 8 incidents in both 2010 and 2022, though the rate per 1,000 people decreased slightly from 1.50 to 1.34 due to population growth. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts remained low at 0.01% to 0.02%. This stability suggests that local efforts to prevent vehicle theft have been effective in keeping pace with population growth.
Arson cases in Wake Village have been rare, with only sporadic incidents reported. In 2010 and 2022, there was 1 reported case each year, representing 0.02% and 0.05% of state arsons respectively. The low frequency of arson cases makes it difficult to discern clear trends, but it suggests that fire safety measures and arson prevention efforts have been largely effective.
Examining correlations between property crime trends and demographic factors reveals some interesting patterns. There appears to be a moderate negative correlation between median income and property crime rates. For instance, as median income increased from $48,257 in 2017 to $76,524 in 2021, total property crimes decreased from 139 to 54. However, this trend reversed in 2022 when median income dropped to $50,367, and property crimes increased to 73.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a potential stabilization or slight decrease in overall property crime rates. Burglaries are expected to continue their downward trend, possibly reaching single digits annually. Larceny-theft may plateau or show a slight increase, while motor vehicle theft is likely to remain stable. Arson cases are predicted to remain rare and sporadic.
In summary, Wake Village has shown resilience in managing property crime rates despite population growth. The significant reduction in burglaries is particularly noteworthy and may serve as a model for other communities. However, the increase in larceny-theft incidents warrants attention and targeted prevention strategies. The city's ability to maintain low rates of motor vehicle theft and arson in the face of population growth is commendable. Moving forward, continued focus on community-based crime prevention programs and addressing economic factors could help sustain and improve upon these positive trends in property crime management.
