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Property Crime Trends in Wenona, Illinois: A Small City's Unique Profile
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Wenona, located in Illinois, presents an interesting case study in property crime trends. In 2017, the only year for which comprehensive property crime data is available, the city reported a total of 9 property crimes. This small urban center, with a population of 1,279 in 2022, has experienced a slight population decline over recent years, which may influence crime patterns.
The burglary rate in 2017 stood at 3 incidents, representing 0.01% of the state's total burglaries. This translates to approximately 2.22 burglaries per 1,000 residents, based on the 2017 population of 1,349. The low percentage of state crime suggests that Wenona contributes minimally to Illinois' overall burglary statistics. However, given the city's small size, even a few incidents can significantly impact the local crime rate.
Larceny-theft, with 6 reported cases in 2017, was the most common property crime in the city. This equates to about 4.45 incidents per 1,000 residents. The percentage of state larceny-theft was reported as 0%, which may indicate either an extremely low contribution to state totals or a potential data reporting issue. The higher number of larceny-thefts compared to other property crimes aligns with typical urban crime patterns, where opportunistic theft is often more prevalent than other property offenses.
Motor vehicle theft and arson both reported zero incidents in 2017, with 0% contribution to state totals. This absence of these specific crimes is notable for a city of Wenona's size and could reflect effective prevention measures or simply the nature of a small, possibly close-knit community where such crimes are less likely to occur.
Examining potential correlations between property crime and other socioeconomic factors, we observe that the city's median income decreased from $54,041 in 2017 to $45,764 in 2022, a drop of about 15.3%. Concurrently, the percentage of owner-occupied housing decreased from 72% in 2017 to 70% in 2022. These trends could potentially influence property crime rates, as economic pressures and changes in community stability may affect criminal activity. However, without more recent crime data, it's challenging to draw definitive conclusions about the direct impact of these socioeconomic changes on crime rates.
Predicting future property crime trends for Wenona is speculative given the limited data available. However, if we assume the relationship between socioeconomic factors and crime rates holds, and if the downward trend in median income and home ownership continues, we might anticipate a slight increase in property crimes by 2029. This prediction should be treated with caution due to the limited historical data and the many variables that can influence crime rates in small communities.
In summary, Wenona's property crime profile in 2017 showed a relatively low incidence of crimes, with larceny-theft being the most common offense. The city's contribution to state crime totals was minimal across all categories. While socioeconomic indicators have shown some negative trends since 2017, their impact on crime rates remains uncertain without more recent crime data. The city's small size means that even minor fluctuations in crime incidents can have a significant impact on overall rates, underscoring the importance of continued vigilance and community-based crime prevention strategies.
