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Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Clayton, Missouri, presents an intriguing case study in violent crime trends. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes fluctuated, with a peak of 25 incidents in 2018 and a low of 12 incidents in both 2019 and 2022. Over this period, the population grew modestly from 18,773 in 2010 to 17,772 in 2022, representing a 5.3% decrease.
Murder rates in the city have remained consistently at zero throughout the observed period from 2010 to 2022. This stability in the absence of murders is particularly noteworthy given the population changes. The consistent zero murders per 1,000 people and 0% of state murders highlight the city's exceptional safety record in this most serious category of violent crime.
Rape incidents have shown variability over the years. The highest number of reported rapes was 3 in 2012, 2013, and 2018, while several years (2011, 2014, 2016, and 2020) saw no reported rapes. In 2022, there were 2 reported rapes, representing 0.11 incidents per 1,000 people. The percentage of state rapes attributed to the city has fluctuated, reaching a high of 0.25% in 2012 and settling at 0.09% in 2022. This indicates that while rape remains a concern, its occurrence is relatively low and inconsistent.
Robbery trends show some fluctuation over the years. The peak was in 2017 with 9 incidents, while the lowest points were in 2010 and 2021-2022 with 2 incidents each. In 2022, the robbery rate was 0.11 per 1,000 people. The city's contribution to state robbery figures has varied, peaking at 0.16% in 2017 and settling at 0.07% in 2022. This suggests that while robbery is present, it remains a relatively minor issue in the broader context of the city's crime landscape.
Aggravated assault has been the most prevalent violent crime in the city. It peaked at 18 incidents in both 2015 and 2018 and was at its lowest with 6 incidents in 2013. In 2022, there were 8 aggravated assaults, translating to 0.45 incidents per 1,000 people. The city's share of state aggravated assaults has fluctuated, reaching a high of 0.11% in 2015 and 2018, and settling at 0.05% in 2022. This indicates that while aggravated assault is the most common violent crime, its occurrence remains relatively low compared to state figures.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a weak inverse relationship between population density and violent crime rates. As the population density decreased from 7,488 per square mile in 2010 to 7,089 in 2022, violent crime rates showed some fluctuation but no consistent trend. There's also a notable correlation between the increase in median rent (from $1,237 in 2013 to $1,856 in 2022) and the overall decrease in violent crimes during this period.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029), we anticipate a continuation of the current low crime rates. Based on the stable or slightly decreasing trends in most violent crime categories, we predict that the total number of violent crimes will likely remain in the range of 10-15 incidents per year. Murder rates are expected to remain at or very close to zero, while rape, robbery, and aggravated assault may continue to show minor fluctuations but are unlikely to significantly increase.
In summary, Clayton demonstrates a remarkably low and generally stable violent crime profile. The consistent absence of murders, relatively low rates of other violent crimes, and the city's small contribution to state crime figures underscore its status as a safe community. The slight downward trend in population, coupled with increasing median rent, suggests a changing demographic that may continue to influence crime rates positively. As Clayton moves forward, maintaining these low crime rates will likely remain a priority, contributing to its appeal as a safe and desirable place to live.