Loading Content...
Violent Crime Trends in Hooks, Texas: A Decade of Low Incidence Amidst Population Decline
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Hooks, Texas, a small city with a population of 2,828 in 2022, has experienced significant changes in its violent crime landscape over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes increased from 3 to 8 incidents, representing a 166.67% increase. This rise occurred despite a 19.15% reduction in population, from 3,498 in 2010 to 2,828 in 2022.
The city's murder rate has remained exceptionally low throughout this period. Only one murder was reported in 2013, accounting for 0.12% of the state's murders that year, with a rate of 0.29 murders per 1,000 people. In all other years, no murders were reported, indicating a consistently low murder rate despite population changes.
Rape incidents in Hooks have been sporadic, with notable peaks in 2011 (5 cases) and 2020 (2 cases). The 2011 peak represented 0.08% of the state's rapes, with a rate of 1.41 per 1,000 residents. In 2020, the rate was 0.61 per 1,000 residents, accounting for 0.02% of state rapes. The inconsistent nature of these incidents makes it challenging to establish a clear trend, and it's worth noting that in many years, including 2022, no rapes were reported.
Robbery trends in Hooks show a decline over time. From 2 cases in 2010 (0.57 per 1,000 residents), incidents decreased to 1 in 2022 (0.35 per 1,000 residents). The city's contribution to state robbery figures remained minimal, never exceeding 0.01% when incidents occurred. This downward trend in robberies is particularly notable given the population decrease.
Aggravated assault has shown the most variability among violent crimes in Hooks. From 1 case in 2010, it peaked at 8 cases in 2021, dropping slightly to 7 in 2022. The rate per 1,000 residents increased from 0.29 in 2010 to 2.47 in 2022. The city's contribution to state aggravated assault figures also increased, reaching 0.01% in recent years. This trend suggests that aggravated assault has become a more significant concern in the city over time.
There appears to be a correlation between the increase in violent crimes, particularly aggravated assaults, and changes in racial demographics. The white population percentage increased from 70% in 2013 to 79% in 2022, while the black population decreased from 11% to 9% in the same period. Concurrently, the Hispanic population dropped from 10% to 7%. This shift coincides with the rise in aggravated assaults, though a direct causal relationship cannot be established without further investigation.
The city's population density decreased from 1,677 per square mile in 2010 to 1,356 in 2022, aligning with the overall population decline. This decrease in density doesn't appear to have led to a reduction in violent crimes, particularly aggravated assaults, suggesting that other factors may be influencing crime rates.
Applying predictive models based on these trends, we can forecast that by 2029, Hooks may see a continued increase in aggravated assaults if current trends persist. The total number of violent crimes could potentially reach 10-12 incidents annually, with aggravated assaults potentially accounting for 8-10 of these cases. However, murder rates are likely to remain very low or at zero, and robbery rates may continue to decline or stabilize at 0-1 incidents per year.
In summary, Hooks has experienced a complex evolution in its violent crime landscape over the past decade. While murder and robbery rates have remained low or decreased, aggravated assaults have emerged as the primary concern. The city's changing demographics and decreasing population density provide context for these trends, but do not fully explain them. As the community continues to evolve, focused efforts on preventing aggravated assaults while maintaining the low rates of other violent crimes will be crucial for ensuring public safety.
