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Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Lewistown, Montana, a small city with a population of 6,838 in 2022, has experienced fluctuating violent crime rates over the past decade. From 2011 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes varied, starting at 21 in 2011, peaking at 41 in 2016, and ending at 25 in 2022, representing an overall increase of 19%. During this same period, the city's population declined by 3.7%, from 7,099 in 2011 to 6,838 in 2022.
Murder rates in the city have remained consistently low, with only one reported case in 2020. This single incident resulted in a murder rate of 0.14 per 1,000 people and accounted for 4.17% of the state's murders that year. In all other years, the murder rate was zero, indicating that homicide is an extremely rare occurrence in this community.
Rape incidents have shown some variability over the years. The number of reported rapes increased from 2 in 2011 to 9 in 2022, a 350% increase. The rape rate per 1,000 people rose from 0.28 in 2011 to 1.32 in 2022. The city's percentage of state rape cases fluctuated, ranging from a low of 0.84% in 2017 to a high of 4.19% in 2013. The most recent data shows the city accounting for 2.26% of the state's rape cases in 2022, indicating a significant contribution to the state's total despite its small population.
Robbery has been virtually non-existent in the city, with zero reported cases throughout the entire period from 2011 to 2022. This consistent absence of robberies suggests a relatively safe environment in terms of this particular crime category.
Aggravated assault has been the most prevalent form of violent crime in the city. The number of aggravated assaults fluctuated over the years, from a low of 14 in 2012 and 2020 to a high of 36 in 2016. In 2022, there were 16 reported cases, resulting in a rate of 2.34 per 1,000 people. The city's contribution to the state's total aggravated assaults has generally decreased over time, from 1.91% in 2011 to 0.68% in 2022, suggesting that while assault remains an issue, its relative severity compared to the state has diminished.
Examining correlations between violent crime trends and demographic factors reveals some interesting patterns. The city has maintained a predominantly white population, with the percentage consistently above 94% throughout the observed period. This lack of significant racial diversity makes it difficult to draw meaningful correlations between race and crime rates. However, there appears to be a weak inverse relationship between population density and violent crime rates. As the population density decreased from 1,240 per square mile in 2011 to 1,194 in 2022, the overall violent crime rate showed a slight increase.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a potential stabilization or slight decrease in overall violent crime rates. Based on the historical data and current trends, it's projected that the city may experience continued low to zero murder rates, a possible slight increase in rape incidents, potentially reaching 10-12 cases per year, ongoing absence or very low incidence of robbery, and a stabilization of aggravated assault cases, likely ranging between 15-20 per year.
In summary, Lewistown has experienced fluctuating violent crime rates over the past decade, with aggravated assault and rape being the primary concerns. Despite some increases in specific crime categories, the overall violent crime rate remains relatively low for a city of its size. The community's consistent demographic composition and decreasing population density appear to have some influence on crime trends, though the relationships are not strongly pronounced. Moving forward, while the city may continue to face challenges with certain violent crimes, particularly assaults and rapes, the overall crime landscape is expected to remain stable or show modest improvements in the coming years.