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Violent Crime Surge in Union: Small Missouri Town Faces 200% Increase
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Union, Missouri, a small urban area spanning 9.01 square miles, has experienced notable changes in its violent crime landscape over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes increased by 200%, from 20 to 60 incidents. This significant rise in crime occurred alongside a population growth of 21.5%, from 14,416 in 2010 to 17,516 in 2022.
Murder rates in the city have remained remarkably low, with only one reported case in 2018 throughout the entire period. This single incident represented 0.21% of the state's murders that year. The murder rate per 1,000 people peaked at 0.06 in 2018 but has since returned to zero. This consistently low murder rate suggests that the city has maintained effective measures to prevent homicides despite population growth.
Rape incidents have shown a concerning upward trend. In 2010, there was one reported case, but by 2022, this number had risen to 15. This represents a 1400% increase over 12 years. The rate per 1,000 people increased from 0.07 in 2010 to 0.86 in 2022. Moreover, the city's contribution to state rape cases grew significantly, from 0.09% in 2010 to 0.71% in 2022. This alarming rise in sexual assaults calls for immediate attention and intervention from local authorities.
Robbery trends have fluctuated over the years but show an overall decrease. From 4 cases in 2014 and 2015, robberies dropped to just 1 incident in 2022. The robbery rate per 1,000 people decreased from 0.25 in 2014 to 0.06 in 2022. The city's share of state robberies also declined from 0.08% in 2014 to 0.03% in 2022. This downward trend in robberies is a positive development for public safety.
Aggravated assault has been the most prevalent violent crime in the city. The number of cases increased from 18 in 2010 to 44 in 2022, a 144% rise. The rate per 1,000 people grew from 1.25 in 2010 to 2.51 in 2022. The city's contribution to state aggravated assaults increased from 0.13% in 2010 to 0.25% in 2022. This significant increase in assaults is concerning and may indicate growing tensions within the community.
There appears to be a strong correlation between the increase in violent crimes and the city's population growth and density. As the population density increased from 1,597 per square mile in 2010 to 1,940 in 2022, violent crimes rose correspondingly. Additionally, there's a notable correlation between the slight decrease in the white population percentage (from 97% in 2014 to 90% in 2022) and the increase in violent crimes, particularly rape and aggravated assault.
Applying predictive models based on these trends, it's projected that by 2029 (five years from now), Union could see approximately 75-80 violent crimes annually if current trends continue. This would represent a 25-33% increase from 2022 levels. Rape and aggravated assault are likely to continue their upward trajectory, while robbery rates may remain low or slightly decrease.
In conclusion, Union faces growing challenges in violent crime, particularly in the areas of rape and aggravated assault. The significant increase in these crimes, coupled with population growth and changing demographics, suggests a need for targeted intervention strategies. While the city has maintained a low murder rate and seen improvements in robbery statistics, the overall trend in violent crime is concerning and warrants comprehensive community safety initiatives.
