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Violent Crime Trends in Coweta: Oklahoma City's Population Growth and Crime Rate Fluctuations
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Coweta, Oklahoma, a city that has experienced significant population growth, has shown remarkable resilience in managing violent crime over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the city's population increased by 29.1%, growing from 19,234 to 24,828 residents. During this period, the total number of violent crimes fluctuated, starting at 29 in 2010, reaching a low of 13 in 2012 and 2013, then peaking at 46 in 2021 before declining to 18 in 2022. This represents a 37.9% decrease in violent crimes over the 12-year period, despite the substantial population growth.
Murder rates in Coweta have remained exceptionally low throughout the decade. Only three years (2011, 2016, and 2017) reported any murders, with never more than two in a single year. The murder rate per 1,000 people has stayed near zero, peaking at 0.09 per 1,000 in 2016. The city's contribution to state murders has been minimal, reaching a maximum of 1% in 2016. These statistics suggest that murder is not a significant concern for the community, even as the population has grown.
Rape incidents in Coweta have shown variability over the years. Reported rapes ranged from a low of 1 in 2011 and 2018 to a high of 8 in 2010. The rape rate per 1,000 people fluctuated between 0.05 and 0.42, with the highest rate occurring in 2010. The city's contribution to state rape cases varied significantly, from 0.05% in 2018 to 1.38% in 2013. This inconsistency may indicate changes in reporting practices or localized factors affecting sexual violence.
Robbery rates in Coweta have remained consistently low. The highest number of robberies reported was 4 in 2018, with several years reporting zero incidents. The robbery rate per 1,000 people never exceeded 0.18 (in 2018). The city's share of state robberies has been minimal, peaking at 0.15% in 2018. This suggests that robbery is not a major issue for the community, even as the population has grown.
Aggravated assault has been the most prevalent violent crime in Coweta. The number of incidents ranged from a low of 10 in 2012 and 2013 to a high of 39 in 2021. The rate per 1,000 people fluctuated between 0.49 and 1.66, with the peak occurring in 2021. The city's contribution to state aggravated assault cases has varied, reaching a maximum of 0.37% in 2021. This crime category shows the most significant fluctuations and may warrant focused attention from law enforcement.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a moderate positive relationship between population density and violent crime rates, particularly for aggravated assault. As the population density increased from 1,817 per square mile in 2010 to 2,345 in 2022, the overall violent crime rate showed an upward trend, despite year-to-year fluctuations.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029), a potential stabilization or slight decrease in overall violent crime rates is anticipated. This projection is based on the recent downward trend observed in 2022 and the city's historical ability to maintain relatively low crime rates despite population growth.
In summary, Coweta has demonstrated resilience in managing violent crime over the past decade, despite significant population growth. The most pressing concern appears to be aggravated assault, which has shown the most volatility. Murder and robbery rates have remained consistently low, while rape incidents have fluctuated but generally remained manageable. As the city continues to grow, maintaining focus on community policing and crime prevention strategies, particularly for aggravated assault, will be crucial in preserving the overall safety and quality of life for Coweta's residents.
