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Violent Crime Trends in Leawood, Kansas: A Decade of Aggravated Assault Increases
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Leawood, Kansas, a suburban city in the Kansas City metropolitan area, has experienced notable changes in its violent crime landscape over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes in the city increased from 13 to 43, representing a 230.77% increase. During this same period, the population grew from 35,498 to 39,184, a more modest increase of 10.38%.
Murder rates in Leawood have remained relatively low and stable over the years. The city reported no murders in most years, with only two incidents in 2015 and one in 2019. This translates to a murder rate that has fluctuated between 0 and 0.05 per 1,000 residents. The percentage of state murders attributable to Leawood has been minimal, peaking at 1.98% in 2015 and 1.47% in 2019. These figures suggest that despite occasional incidents, murder remains an infrequent occurrence in the city.
Rape incidents in the city have shown some variation but remain relatively low. The number of reported rapes ranged from 1 to 5 per year, with the highest incidence in 2020 (5 cases). The rape rate per 1,000 residents has fluctuated between 0.03 and 0.13. Notably, the city's contribution to state rape statistics peaked at 1.11% in 2020, up from 0.07% in 2015. This indicates a disproportionate increase in rape cases compared to the state average in recent years.
Robbery trends in Leawood have shown more volatility. The number of robberies ranged from 0 to 6 per year, with the highest number recorded in 2016 and 2022. The robbery rate per 1,000 residents has fluctuated between 0 and 0.16. The city's contribution to state robbery statistics has increased significantly, from 0.07% in 2010 to 0.83% in 2022, indicating a growing share of state robberies occurring in Leawood.
Aggravated assault has been the most prevalent form of violent crime in Leawood. The number of aggravated assaults increased from 10 in 2010 to 36 in 2022, a 260% increase. The rate per 1,000 residents rose from 0.28 to 0.92 during this period. The city's contribution to state aggravated assault statistics has also grown, from 0.16% in 2010 to 0.47% in 2022, suggesting a faster increase in aggravated assaults compared to the state average.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a moderate positive relationship between population density and violent crime rates. As the population density increased from 2,349 per square mile in 2010 to 2,593 in 2022, violent crime rates also trended upward. Additionally, there's a notable correlation between the slight decrease in the white population percentage (from 90% in 2013 to 86% in 2022) and the increase in violent crime rates, although this relationship should be interpreted cautiously without assuming causation.
Applying predictive models based on current trends, it's projected that violent crime in Leawood may continue to increase over the next five years (up to 2029). The total number of violent crimes could potentially reach around 60-65 incidents annually by 2029 if current trends persist. However, this projection should be considered with caution, as local policies and socioeconomic factors can significantly influence crime rates.
In summary, Leawood has experienced a notable increase in violent crime over the past decade, particularly in aggravated assaults and robberies. While murder rates remain low, the city has seen a disproportionate increase in its contribution to state-level crime statistics for certain offenses. These trends, coupled with population growth and changing demographics, present challenges for local law enforcement and community leaders in Leawood as they work to maintain the city's safety and quality of life.
