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Rising Violent Crime in Kings Mountain, NC: A Decade of Significant Increases
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Kings Mountain, a city in North Carolina, has witnessed a substantial rise in violent crime rates over the past decade. From 2011 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes increased by 115.38%, from 26 to 56 incidents, while the population grew by only 1.97%, from 21,678 to 22,107 residents. This disparity indicates that crime rates have significantly outpaced population growth.
The murder rate in Kings Mountain has shown considerable variation over time. In 2011, there were no reported murders, but by 2022, there was one murder, representing a rate of 0.045 per 1,000 people. The city's contribution to state murders fluctuated, peaking at 0.57% in 2017 and dropping to 0.17% in 2022. Although murder remains relatively rare, its occurrence has become more frequent relative to the city's size.
Rape incidents have demonstrated a concerning upward trend. In 2013, there were two reported rapes, increasing to seven in 2021, before dropping to one in 2022. The rate per 1,000 people rose from 0.09 in 2013 to 0.32 in 2021, then fell to 0.045 in 2022. The city's contribution to state rape cases peaked at 0.45% in 2020, indicating a disproportionate increase compared to state trends. This volatility in rape statistics suggests a need for targeted interventions and support services.
Robbery trends in Kings Mountain have been more stable but still concerning. The number of robberies decreased slightly from nine in 2011 to eight in 2022. However, the rate per 1,000 people remained relatively constant, from 0.42 in 2011 to 0.36 in 2022. The city's share of state robberies fluctuated, reaching a high of 0.16% in both 2016 and 2022, indicating that robbery rates have not improved relative to state trends.
Aggravated assault has seen the most dramatic increase among violent crimes in Kings Mountain. In 2011, there were 15 incidents, which rose to 46 in 2022, a 206.67% increase. The rate per 1,000 people surged from 0.69 in 2011 to 2.08 in 2022. The city's contribution to state aggravated assaults grew from 0.11% in 2011 to 0.19% in 2022, suggesting a significant local problem that outpaces state trends.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a strong relationship between the increase in violent crimes and rising median rent in Kings Mountain. As median rent increased from $445 in 2013 to $678 in 2022, violent crimes also trended upward. Additionally, there's a notable correlation between the slight decrease in the white population (from 80% in 2013 to 74% in 2022) and the increase in violent crimes, particularly aggravated assaults.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) in Kings Mountain, we anticipate a continued increase in overall violent crimes. Based on current trajectories, aggravated assaults are projected to reach around 60-65 incidents annually, while robberies may stabilize around 10-12 cases per year. Murder rates are expected to remain low but volatile, potentially averaging 1-2 cases annually. Rape incidents are harder to predict due to recent fluctuations but may settle in the range of 5-8 cases per year.
In summary, Kings Mountain faces significant challenges with rising violent crime rates, particularly in aggravated assaults. The disproportionate increase in violent crimes compared to population growth suggests underlying socio-economic factors at play. The correlation with rising median rent and changing demographics points to potential areas for policy intervention. As the city moves forward, addressing these trends through targeted community policing, social programs, and economic development initiatives will be crucial in reversing the upward trajectory of violent crimes.
