Loading Content...
Rising Property Crime Rates in Oneonta, Alabama: A Decade of Fluctuating Trends
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Property Crime
Percent Owner Occupied
Median Income
Population
Oneonta, located in Alabama, presents an intriguing case study in property crime trends. From 2010 to 2022, the city experienced fluctuations in total property crimes, with an overall increase from 161 incidents in 2010 to 262 in 2022, representing a 62.7% rise. During this same period, the population grew from 8,419 to 9,072, an increase of 7.8%, suggesting that crime rates outpaced population growth.
Burglary trends in the city show significant variations over time. In 2010, there were 8 burglaries, which increased to 30 by 2017, before decreasing to 17 in 2022. This represents a 112.5% increase over the entire period. When adjusted for population, the burglary rate per 1,000 people rose from 0.95 in 2010 to 1.87 in 2022. Notably, the city's share of state burglaries increased from 0.03% in 2010 to 0.15% in 2022, indicating a growing contribution to statewide burglary incidents despite its small size.
Larceny-theft, the most common property crime in the city, showed a substantial increase from 145 incidents in 2010 to 240 in 2022, a 65.5% rise. The rate per 1,000 people increased from 17.22 to 26.46 over this period. The city's share of state larceny-theft incidents grew dramatically from 0.2% in 2010 to 0.51% in 2022, suggesting a disproportionate increase compared to state trends.
Motor vehicle theft exhibited fluctuations but overall decreased from 8 incidents in 2010 to 5 in 2022, a 37.5% reduction. The rate per 1,000 people decreased from 0.95 to 0.55. However, the city's share of state motor vehicle thefts decreased from 0.13% to 0.07%, indicating a relative improvement compared to statewide trends.
Arson data is limited, with only recent years available. In 2021 and 2022, there was 1 arson incident each year, representing 0.76% and 0.19% of state arsons respectively. This indicates a significant drop in the city's contribution to state arson cases, though the small numbers make trend analysis challenging.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a strong relationship between population density and property crime rates. As density increased from 531 people per square mile in 2010 to 573 in 2022, property crimes rose correspondingly. Additionally, the racial composition shift, with the white population percentage increasing from 71% in 2013 to 80% in 2022, coincided with changes in crime patterns, though direct causation cannot be inferred.
Applying predictive models based on historical trends, it's projected that by 2029 (five years from now), Oneonta may see property crimes increase to approximately 320 incidents annually. This forecast assumes current trends continue without significant interventions or socioeconomic changes.
In summary, Oneonta has experienced a notable increase in property crimes, particularly larceny-theft, outpacing its population growth. The city's contribution to statewide property crime statistics has grown, especially in burglaries and larceny-thefts. These trends, coupled with demographic shifts and increasing population density, paint a complex picture of the city's evolving crime landscape. As Oneonta continues to grow, addressing these property crime trends will likely become an increasingly important focus for local law enforcement and community leaders.
