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Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Akron, Ohio, a city known for its industrial heritage and as the birthplace of the rubber industry in the United States, has experienced significant changes in its violent crime landscape over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes in Akron fluctuated, with a notable decrease of 7% from 1,665 in 2010 to 1,548 in 2022. During this same period, the city's population declined by 5.3%, from 199,030 in 2010 to 188,498 in 2022, indicating a complex relationship between crime rates and demographic shifts.
The murder rate in Akron has shown considerable variation over the years. In 2010, there were 22 murders, which increased to 38 in 2022, representing a 72.7% increase. When adjusted for population, the murder rate per 1,000 people rose from 0.11 in 2010 to 0.20 in 2022, nearly doubling. The city's share of state murders also increased from 5.43% in 2010 to 6.2% in 2022, suggesting that Akron's murder rate has grown faster than the state average. This trend indicates a concerning escalation in lethal violence within the city, potentially reflecting broader socioeconomic challenges.
Rape incidents in Akron have shown an upward trend. The number of reported rapes increased from 159 in 2010 to 206 in 2022, a 29.6% rise. The rate per 1,000 people grew from 0.80 to 1.09 over this period. However, the city's percentage of state rape cases decreased slightly from 5.94% to 5.18%, indicating that while Akron's rape incidents have increased, they haven't grown as rapidly as the state average. This trend suggests a need for enhanced sexual violence prevention and support services in the city.
Robbery rates in Akron have shown a significant improvement. The number of robberies decreased dramatically from 602 in 2010 to 156 in 2022, a 74.1% reduction. The robbery rate per 1,000 people fell from 3.02 to 0.83. The city's share of state robberies also decreased from 4.13% to 2.8%, indicating that Akron has made substantial progress in reducing this type of crime compared to the rest of Ohio. This positive trend could be attributed to effective law enforcement strategies or improved economic conditions in certain areas of the city.
Aggravated assault cases in Akron have increased over the years. In 2010, there were 882 cases, which rose to 1,148 in 2022, a 30.2% increase. The rate per 1,000 people increased from 4.43 to 6.09. The city's proportion of state aggravated assaults also grew from 7.58% to 6.69%, suggesting that while assaults have increased in Akron, the growth rate is slightly lower than the state average. This trend indicates a persistent issue with violent confrontations in the city.
Examining correlations between crime trends and other factors reveals some interesting patterns. There appears to be a moderate inverse correlation between population density and violent crime rates. As the population density decreased from 3,213 per square mile in 2010 to 3,043 in 2022, violent crime rates showed some fluctuation but generally increased. This suggests that factors beyond simple population density are influencing crime rates in the city.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a potential continuation of current patterns. If current trends persist, murders could potentially reach around 45-50 per year, rape incidents might increase to approximately 230-240 annually, robberies could stabilize around 140-150 per year, and aggravated assaults might rise to 1,300-1,350 cases annually. However, these projections should be viewed cautiously as they don't account for potential policy changes or unforeseen social factors.
In summary, Akron's violent crime landscape presents a mixed picture. While the city has made significant strides in reducing robbery rates, it faces challenges with increasing murder, rape, and aggravated assault incidents. The divergence in these trends suggests that targeted interventions may be necessary to address specific types of violent crime. As Akron continues to evolve, addressing these crime trends will be crucial for improving public safety and the overall quality of life for its residents.