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Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Columbus, Montana, a small community with a population that decreased from 2,323 in 2010 to 2,127 in 2022, has experienced fluctuations in violent crime rates over the years. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes in the city varied, with lows of 1 incident in 2013 and 2017, and highs of 8 incidents in 2012 and 2016. This period saw an 8.4% decrease in population, which may have influenced crime patterns.
The town has maintained a consistent record of zero murders from 2010 to 2022, indicating a relatively safe environment in terms of this most serious violent crime. The absence of murders has remained unchanged despite population fluctuations, suggesting a 0% contribution to the state's murder rate throughout the period.
Rape incidents in Columbus have been sporadic, with occurrences in 2011 (2 cases), 2016 (1 case), 2020 (1 case), and 2021 (1 case). The rape rate per 1,000 people peaked in 2011 at 0.96, dropping to 0.44 per 1,000 in 2016, and further to 0.43 per 1,000 in 2020 and 2021. The percentage of state rape crimes attributable to Columbus varied, reaching 1.2% in 2011, then decreasing to 0.31% in 2016, and 0.29% in 2020, before slightly declining to 0.25% in 2021. These figures suggest that while rape occurrences are infrequent, they have a noticeable impact on state statistics when they do occur, given the city's small size.
Robbery has been an extremely rare occurrence in Columbus. The data shows only one incident in 2012, which represented 0.62% of the state's robberies that year. This translates to a rate of 0.50 robberies per 1,000 people in 2012. The absence of robberies in other years indicates that this type of crime is not a persistent issue for the community.
Aggravated assault has been the most prevalent form of violent crime in the city. The number of incidents fluctuated over the years, with notable peaks of 7 cases in 2012, 2016, and 2022. The rate per 1,000 people for aggravated assault was highest in 2012 at 3.51, decreased to 3.11 in 2016, and rose again to 3.29 in 2022. The city's contribution to state aggravated assault figures varied, reaching 0.67% in 2012, 0.5% in 2016, and 0.3% in 2022. These figures suggest that while aggravated assault remains a concern, its relative impact on state statistics has decreased over time.
There appears to be a moderate correlation between population density and violent crime rates in Columbus. Years with higher population density, such as 2018 (1,761 people per square mile) and 2017 (1,736 people per square mile), saw an increase in violent crimes compared to years with lower density. However, this correlation is not consistent throughout the entire period.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029), we can anticipate a slight increase in overall violent crime incidents if current patterns persist. The model suggests that aggravated assaults may continue to be the primary contributor to violent crime, potentially reaching 8-9 incidents annually by 2029. Rape incidents are predicted to remain sporadic, possibly occurring once every two to three years. Robberies are expected to remain rare, with the possibility of one incident within the five-year period. The murder rate is projected to remain at zero, continuing the city's trend.
In summary, Columbus has maintained a relatively stable violent crime profile over the years, with aggravated assault being the primary concern. The city's contribution to state crime statistics has generally decreased, particularly in recent years. While there have been fluctuations in crime rates, the overall violent crime situation appears manageable for a small town of its size. The forecasted trends suggest a need for continued vigilance, particularly in addressing aggravated assaults, to maintain the community's safety and quality of life.