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Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Birch Tree, located in Missouri, presents an interesting case study in violent crime trends over the past decade. With a population that has fluctuated significantly, peaking at 1,536 in 2012 and declining to 877 by 2022, the city has experienced varying levels of violent crime. The total number of violent crimes reported has ranged from 0 to 9 per year, with notable fluctuations in between.
Regarding murder trends, the data shows no reported cases of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter throughout the recorded period from 2010 to 2020. This consistent absence of murders is particularly noteworthy given the population changes, maintaining a rate of 0 per 1,000 people and 0% of the state's total throughout the years. This suggests that despite demographic shifts, the city has maintained a level of safety in terms of the most serious violent crimes.
Rape incidents in the city have been extremely rare, with only one reported case in 2014. This single incident occurred when the population was 1,278, resulting in a rate of approximately 0.78 per 1,000 people for that year. It represented 0.06% of the state's total rape cases in 2014. The isolated nature of this incident, with no other reported cases in the available data, indicates that sexual violence is not a persistent issue in the community.
Robbery trends show minimal occurrences, with only two reported incidents over the entire period. One robbery was reported in 2014 and another in 2017. In 2014, with a population of 1,278, the robbery rate was about 0.78 per 1,000 people, representing 0.02% of the state's robberies. In 2017, when the population had decreased to 931, the single robbery resulted in a rate of approximately 1.07 per 1,000 people, again accounting for 0.02% of the state's total. The low frequency of robberies suggests a relatively secure environment for property and personal safety.
Aggravated assault has been the most prevalent form of violent crime in the city. The number of incidents has varied significantly, with a peak of 9 cases in 2012 when the population was at its highest (1,536). This resulted in a rate of about 5.86 per 1,000 people and represented 0.06% of the state's aggravated assaults that year. In contrast, years like 2010 and 2013 saw no reported aggravated assaults. The most recent data from 2020 shows 2 cases, with a population of 1,006, resulting in a rate of approximately 1.99 per 1,000 people and accounting for 0.01% of the state's total. The fluctuation in aggravated assault cases appears to correlate somewhat with population changes, but not consistently.
When examining correlations between violent crime trends and other factors, a notable relationship emerges with population density. The peak in violent crimes, particularly aggravated assaults, coincided with periods of higher population density. For instance, the highest number of aggravated assaults (9) occurred in 2012 when the population density was at its peak of 1,112 people per square mile. Conversely, years with lower population densities tended to have fewer violent crimes.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029), based on the historical data and current trends, it's anticipated that the city will continue to experience low levels of violent crime. The sporadic nature of incidents, particularly for rape and robbery, makes precise predictions challenging. However, aggravated assaults may continue to fluctuate, possibly averaging 2-3 cases per year, assuming the population stabilizes or continues its slight downward trend.
In summary, Birch Tree has maintained a relatively low violent crime rate over the years, with aggravated assault being the primary concern. The absence of murders, rare occurrences of rape and robbery, and fluctuating but generally low levels of aggravated assault paint a picture of a community that, despite demographic changes, has managed to maintain a relatively safe environment. The correlation between population density and violent crime rates suggests that community dynamics play a role in the incidence of such crimes, emphasizing the importance of community-based crime prevention strategies as the city evolves.