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Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Lenoir City, Tennessee, a small urban area of 8.4 square miles, has experienced notable changes in violent crime rates alongside population growth over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes decreased by 52.3%, from 86 to 41 incidents. During the same period, the population grew by 18.6%, from 16,847 to 19,975 residents, indicating a significant reduction in crime relative to population growth.
Murder rates in the city have remained consistently low, with most years reporting zero murders. The only exceptions were 2014 and 2020-2021, each with one murder. In 2014, this represented 0.34% of state murders, while in 2020 and 2021, it accounted for 0.22% and 0.21% respectively. The murder rate per 1,000 people peaked at 0.059 in 2014 and remained at 0.051 per 1,000 in 2021. Despite these isolated incidents, the overall murder rate remains extremely low, suggesting a generally safe environment for residents.
Rape incidents have fluctuated over the years, with a notable spike in 2014 (8 cases, 0.41% of state total) and 2017 (8 cases, 0.47% of state total). The rate per 1,000 people was highest in 2014 at 0.468. However, by 2022, reported rapes had decreased to just 1 case (0.06% of state total), or 0.050 per 1,000 people. This significant reduction indicates improved safety for residents, particularly regarding sexual violence.
Robbery trends show a general decline over the observed period. In 2010, there were 11 robberies (0.14% of state total), or 0.653 per 1,000 people. By 2022, this had decreased to 2 robberies (0.06% of state total), or 0.100 per 1,000 people. This 81.8% reduction in robbery incidents, despite population growth, suggests a substantial improvement in property-related violent crime.
Aggravated assault, the most common violent crime in the city, has shown considerable fluctuation. In 2010, there were 73 cases (0.35% of state total), or 4.333 per 1,000 people. This decreased to a low of 10 cases in 2016 (0.05% of state total), or 0.567 per 1,000 people. However, there was an uptick in recent years, with 38 cases reported in 2022 (0.16% of state total), or 1.902 per 1,000 people. While this represents an increase from the lowest point, it's still a 47.9% reduction from 2010 levels, indicating an overall improvement in public safety.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a relationship between population density and violent crime rates. As population density increased from 1,953 per square mile in 2010 to 2,315 per square mile in 2022, violent crime rates generally decreased, suggesting that increased urbanization in this case may have contributed to improved safety measures or community cohesion.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029), we anticipate a potential stabilization or slight decrease in overall violent crime rates. Murders are likely to remain rare, with perhaps 0-1 incidents per year. Rape and robbery rates may continue their downward trend, potentially reaching an average of 1-2 incidents per year each. Aggravated assaults might fluctuate but are expected to remain below 50 cases annually, barring any significant socioeconomic changes.
In summary, Lenoir City has demonstrated a remarkable improvement in public safety over the past decade, with significant reductions in violent crime rates across all categories, despite substantial population growth. This trend suggests effective law enforcement strategies and community engagement. While challenges remain, particularly in addressing aggravated assaults, the overall trajectory points towards a safer urban environment for residents.