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Taunton's Violent Crime Trends: A Decade of Fluctuations in an Evolving Industrial City
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Taunton, Massachusetts, a city with a rich industrial history, has experienced significant changes in its violent crime landscape over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes in Taunton fluctuated, starting at 304 in 2010 and ending at 291 in 2022, representing a slight decrease of 4.28%. During this same period, the city's population grew from 55,950 to 59,436, an increase of 6.23%.
Murder rates in Taunton have shown considerable volatility. In 2010, there were 2 murders, representing 1.12% of the state's total. The city experienced years with no murders (2011-2014, 2017-2018) but saw spikes in 2016 with 5 murders (4.13% of the state's total) and 2021 with 2 murders (1.69% of the state's total). In 2022, there was 1 murder, accounting for 0.74% of the state's total. The murder rate per 1,000 people decreased from 0.036 in 2010 to 0.017 in 2022, indicating an overall downward trend despite fluctuations.
Rape incidents have shown an upward trend. In 2010, there were 13 reported rapes (1.04% of the state's total), which increased to 22 in 2022 (1.70% of the state's total). The rape rate per 1,000 people rose from 0.232 in 2010 to 0.370 in 2022, a 59.48% increase. This trend suggests a growing concern for sexual violence in the city.
Robbery cases have significantly decreased over the years. In 2010, there were 60 robberies (1.02% of the state's total), which dropped to 17 in 2022 (0.71% of the state's total). The robbery rate per 1,000 people decreased from 1.072 in 2010 to 0.286 in 2022, a substantial 73.32% reduction. This trend indicates improved safety regarding property crimes.
Aggravated assault cases have fluctuated but shown an overall increase. In 2010, there were 229 cases (1.36% of the state's total), which rose to 251 in 2022 (1.84% of the state's total). The aggravated assault rate per 1,000 people increased from 4.092 in 2010 to 4.223 in 2022, a 3.20% rise. This trend suggests a persistent issue with violent confrontations in the city.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a strong relationship between the increase in population density and the rise in certain violent crimes, particularly rape and aggravated assault. The population density increased from 1,197 per square mile in 2010 to 1,272 in 2022, coinciding with the upward trends in these crime categories. Additionally, there is a notable correlation between the changing racial demographics and crime patterns. As the white population percentage decreased from 86% in 2013 to 74% in 2022, there was an increase in the diversity of the city's population, which coincided with fluctuations in violent crime rates.
Applying predictive models based on these trends, it is forecasted that by 2029, Taunton may experience a continued low but potentially fluctuating murder rate, averaging 1-2 cases per year; an increase in reported rape cases, potentially reaching 30-35 annual incidents; a further decrease in robbery cases, possibly dropping to 10-15 per year; and a continued rise in aggravated assault cases, potentially reaching 270-290 annually.
In summary, Taunton has experienced a complex evolution in its violent crime landscape. While certain categories like robbery have shown significant improvement, others such as rape and aggravated assault have become more prevalent. These changes, occurring alongside demographic shifts and increasing population density, present ongoing challenges for law enforcement and community leaders in Taunton. The city's efforts in crime prevention and community safety will be crucial in addressing these evolving trends and maintaining the overall quality of life for its residents.
