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Violent Crime Decline in King: A Decade of Improvement
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
King, North Carolina, a small urban area with a population of 12,072 as of 2022, has experienced a significant decline in violent crime over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes decreased by 77.27%, from 22 incidents to 5, while the population declined by 13.34%, from 13,931 to 12,072 residents. This analysis examines the trends in various categories of violent crime during this period.
Murder rates in King have remained consistently low, with most years reporting zero murders. The exceptions were 2016 and 2019, which recorded one and two murders respectively. These isolated incidents resulted in relatively high per capita rates of 0.07 and 0.15 per 1,000 residents in those years due to the city's small population. However, the overall trend shows that murder is an extremely rare occurrence in the city.
Rape incidents have fluctuated over the years, with reported cases ranging from 0 to 4. The highest number was recorded in 2010 with 4 cases (0.29 per 1,000 residents), while in 2022, there were 2 reported rapes (0.17 per 1,000 residents). The data shows no clear trend, likely due to the small numbers involved and potential variations in reporting practices.
Robbery rates have shown a general decline over the period. In 2010, there were 4 robberies (0.29 per 1,000 residents), while by 2022, no robberies were reported. The peak was in 2012 with 5 robberies (0.37 per 1,000 residents). This downward trend suggests improved safety or more effective crime prevention strategies in the city.
Aggravated assault, the most common violent crime in King, has shown a significant decrease. In 2010, there were 14 cases (1.00 per 1,000 residents), which dropped to 3 (0.25 per 1,000 residents) by 2022. The peak was in 2016 with 22 cases (1.62 per 1,000 residents). This substantial reduction indicates a positive trend in public safety.
There appears to be a relationship between the decline in violent crime and changes in racial demographics. As the white population percentage decreased slightly from 94% in 2015 to 90% in 2022, there was a corresponding decrease in violent crimes. However, this correlation should be interpreted cautiously due to the small sample size and potential influence of other factors.
Applying predictive models based on the observed trends, it's projected that by 2029, violent crime in King could potentially decrease further. The model suggests that aggravated assaults might stabilize at 1-2 cases per year, while other violent crimes could remain at very low levels or potentially reach zero in some years.
In summary, King has experienced a substantial decrease in violent crime over the past decade, particularly in aggravated assaults and robberies. The city maintains very low rates of murder and rape. These trends, combined with the slight demographic shifts, paint a picture of a community that has become increasingly safer. If current trends continue, King may see further reductions in violent crime rates in the coming years, potentially positioning it as one of the safest small cities in North Carolina.
