Loading Content...
Violent Crime Trends in Hamilton, Montana: A Decade of Significant Decline
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Hamilton, located in Montana, has experienced fluctuating violent crime rates alongside population growth over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes decreased from 24 to 7, representing a 70.8% reduction. During this same period, the population grew from 7,347 to 8,514, an increase of 15.9%.
Murder rates in the city have remained consistently low, with only two incidents recorded between 2010 and 2022. These occurred in 2012 and 2019, representing 12.5% and 14.29% of the state's murders in those years respectively. The murder rate per 1,000 people was 0.14 in 2012 and 0.13 in 2019, showing a slight decrease relative to population growth. The sporadic nature of these events makes it difficult to establish a clear trend, but it suggests that murder remains an infrequent occurrence in the community.
Rape incidents have fluctuated over the years, with a peak of 7 cases in 2017 (0.86 per 1,000 people) and a low of 1 case in 2022 (0.12 per 1,000 people). The percentage of state rape cases attributed to the city has varied, ranging from 0.25% in 2022 to 2.33% in 2013. Overall, there has been a downward trend in rape cases, with the most recent data showing a significant decrease.
Robbery rates in the city have been consistently low, with most years reporting zero incidents. The highest number of robberies was recorded in 2018 with 2 cases (0.25 per 1,000 people), representing 1.08% of the state's robberies that year. The absence of robberies in most years suggests that this type of crime is not a significant concern for the community.
Aggravated assault cases have shown a notable decrease over time. In 2010, there were 20 cases (2.72 per 1,000 people), representing 2.39% of the state's total. By 2022, this had decreased to 6 cases (0.70 per 1,000 people), accounting for only 0.25% of the state's aggravated assaults. This represents a 70% reduction in aggravated assault cases over the 12-year period, outpacing the population growth and indicating a significant improvement in this area of public safety.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a strong inverse relationship between population growth and violent crime rates. As the population increased by 15.9% from 2010 to 2022, the total violent crime incidents decreased by 70.8%. This suggests that the city has managed to improve public safety despite population growth. Additionally, there is a notable correlation between the increase in population density (from 2,890 per square mile in 2010 to 3,349 in 2022) and the decrease in violent crimes, indicating that increased urbanization has not led to higher crime rates in this case.
Applying predictive models based on the current trends, it is forecasted that by 2029 (five years from now), Hamilton could see a further reduction in violent crimes. If the current trajectory continues, total violent crimes could potentially decrease to around 3-4 incidents per year. However, this prediction should be interpreted cautiously, as crime rates can be influenced by various socioeconomic factors and policy changes.
In summary, Hamilton has demonstrated a significant improvement in public safety over the past decade, with substantial reductions in violent crime rates across all categories. The most notable decrease has been in aggravated assaults, while murder and robbery rates have remained consistently low. These positive trends, occurring alongside population growth and increased density, suggest effective law enforcement strategies and community engagement in crime prevention. As the city continues to grow, maintaining these downward crime trends will be crucial for sustaining the quality of life for Hamilton's residents.
