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Property Crime Trends in Whigham, Georgia: A Small City's Remarkable Transformation
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
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Crime
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Whigham, located in Georgia, presents an interesting case study in property crime trends. From 2010 to 2022, the city experienced fluctuations in both property crime rates and population. The total number of property crimes varied significantly, with notable data available for 2014 and 2015, while the population decreased from 3,307 in 2010 to 2,453 in 2022, representing a 25.8% decline.
Burglary trends in the city show a decrease over the available data period. In 2014, there were 4 burglaries reported, which decreased to 2 in 2015, representing a 50% reduction. When considering the population, this translates to approximately 1.42 burglaries per 1,000 people in 2014, decreasing to 0.71 per 1,000 in 2015. The city's contribution to state-wide burglary remained consistent at 0.01% for both years. This downward trend in burglaries, despite the declining population, suggests an improvement in local security measures or community vigilance.
Larceny-theft also showed a declining trend. In 2014, there were 10 reported cases, which decreased to 7 in 2015, a 30% reduction. In terms of population-adjusted rates, this represents a change from 3.55 incidents per 1,000 people in 2014 to 2.5 per 1,000 in 2015. The city's contribution to state-wide larceny-theft remained steady at 0.01% during this period. This decrease in larceny-theft, outpacing the population decline, may indicate improved community awareness or more effective law enforcement strategies.
Motor vehicle theft in the city saw a decrease from 2 incidents in 2014 to 1 in 2015, a 50% reduction. When adjusted for population, this translates to a change from 0.71 thefts per 1,000 people in 2014 to 0.36 per 1,000 in 2015. The city's contribution to state-wide motor vehicle theft decreased from 0.02% to 0.01% during this period. This decline in motor vehicle thefts, more pronounced than the population decrease, could suggest enhanced vehicle security measures or increased community vigilance.
There were no reported cases of arson in the available data for the city from 2010 to 2016, indicating either an absence of such incidents or potential underreporting.
Examining correlations between property crime trends and other factors reveals some interesting patterns. The city's median income increased from $35,920 in 2013 to $44,920 in 2022, a 25% rise. Concurrently, the percentage of owner-occupied housing increased from 77% in 2013 to 83% in 2022. These positive economic indicators coincide with the observed decrease in property crimes, suggesting a potential correlation between improved economic conditions and reduced crime rates.
Applying predictive models to forecast property crime trends for the next seven years (up to 2029, which is five years from now) suggests a potential continuation of the declining trend. Based on the limited data available and assuming similar socioeconomic conditions persist, we might expect to see further reductions in burglary and larceny-theft rates. However, given the small number of incidents, even minor fluctuations could significantly impact these trends.
In summary, Whigham has shown a generally positive trend in property crime reduction from 2014 to 2015, with decreases in burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. This improvement coincides with increases in median income and home ownership rates, suggesting a possible link between economic stability and reduced property crime. As the city continues to evolve, maintaining focus on community engagement and economic development could be key factors in sustaining these positive trends in property crime reduction.
