Loading Content...
Property Crime Trends in Washington, NC: A Decade of Significant Decline
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Washington, North Carolina, a community with a population of 15,771 as of 2022, has experienced significant changes in property crime rates over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, total property crimes decreased by 51.3%, from 557 to 271 incidents. This substantial reduction occurred alongside a slight population decrease of 0.4% during the same period, suggesting improvements in public safety that outpaced demographic shifts.
Burglary rates in the city have shown a marked decline over time. In 2010, there were 134 burglaries, which decreased to 37 by 2022, representing a 72.4% reduction. When adjusted for population, the rate fell from 8.46 to 2.35 burglaries per 1,000 residents. The city's share of state burglaries also decreased from 0.25% in 2010 to 0.15% in 2022, indicating that local efforts to combat burglary may have been more effective than the state average. This significant reduction suggests improved home security measures or more effective law enforcement strategies targeting burglaries.
Larceny-theft, the most common property crime in the city, also saw a substantial decrease. In 2010, there were 412 larceny-theft incidents, which dropped to 214 by 2022, a 48.1% reduction. The rate per 1,000 residents decreased from 26.01 to 13.57. The city's proportion of state larceny-thefts fell from 0.32% to 0.18% during this period, indicating that the local reduction outpaced the state average. This trend suggests successful community-wide efforts to prevent theft and protect personal property.
Motor vehicle theft trends have been more variable. In 2010, there were 11 incidents, which increased to 20 in 2022, an 81.8% rise. However, when considering population changes, the rate increased from 0.69 to 1.27 per 1,000 residents. The city's share of state motor vehicle thefts fluctuated, rising from 0.1% in 2010 to 0.14% in 2022. This increase, contrary to other property crime trends, may indicate a need for targeted interventions in vehicle security or changes in local patterns of this specific crime type.
Arson cases in the city have remained relatively low but fluctuated over the years. In 2010, there were 2 reported arsons, and this number remained the same in 2022. However, the city's share of state arsons decreased from 0.2% to 0.11%, suggesting that while local numbers remained stable, state-wide incidents may have increased. The consistency in arson cases, despite population changes, indicates that this particular crime has not been significantly impacted by broader crime reduction efforts.
A strong correlation emerges between the overall reduction in property crimes and the increase in median income. As the median income rose from $36,930 in 2013 to $47,669 in 2022, property crimes decreased. This suggests that improved economic conditions may contribute to lower crime rates. Additionally, there's a notable correlation between the slight increase in homeownership rates (from 53% in 2019 to 57% in 2022) and the continued decrease in property crimes, potentially indicating that higher ownership rates contribute to community stability and reduced crime.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029), we anticipate a continued overall decrease in property crimes. Based on current trends, burglaries and larceny-thefts are expected to decrease further, potentially reaching around 30 burglaries and 180 larceny-thefts annually by 2029. Motor vehicle thefts may stabilize or slightly decrease if targeted interventions are implemented. Arson cases are likely to remain low, potentially averaging 1-2 cases per year.
In summary, Washington has made significant strides in reducing property crimes over the past decade, particularly in burglary and larceny-theft. The correlation between rising incomes, increased homeownership, and declining crime rates suggests that economic development and community stability play crucial roles in enhancing public safety. While motor vehicle thefts have seen an increase, the overall trend in property crimes remains positive. These improvements, coupled with the forecasted continued decrease in crime rates, indicate a positive trajectory for the city's safety and quality of life in the coming years.
