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Violent Crime Trends in Matthews, North Carolina: Fluctuations Amid Population Growth
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Matthews, located in North Carolina, has experienced fluctuating violent crime rates alongside significant population growth over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes increased from 49 to 49, remaining unchanged overall, while the population grew from 36,953 to 39,652, a 7.3% increase.
Murder rates in the city have shown volatility. The city recorded zero murders in most years, with occasional spikes. In 2020, there were 5 murders, representing 0.96% of the state's total, the highest percentage over the period. This translates to 0.12 murders per 1,000 residents, a significant increase from previous years. However, by 2022, the murder rate decreased to 0.03 per 1,000 residents, with 1 murder representing 0.17% of the state's total. These fluctuations suggest that while murder remains relatively rare, even small changes can have a noticeable impact on the city's crime statistics.
Rape incidents have varied over the years, with limited data availability in some periods. In 2019, there were 8 reported rapes (0.19 per 1,000 residents), representing 0.47% of the state's total. By 2022, this decreased to 4 reported rapes (0.10 per 1,000 residents), accounting for 0.21% of the state's total. This indicates a downward trend in both the absolute number and the city's contribution to state-wide rape statistics.
Robbery trends show a general decline. In 2010, there were 18 robberies (0.49 per 1,000 residents), representing 0.24% of the state's total. By 2022, the number remained at 18, but due to population growth, the rate decreased to 0.45 per 1,000 residents, while representing a slightly higher 0.35% of the state's total. This suggests that while the absolute number has remained stable, the city's relative contribution to state robbery statistics has increased slightly.
Aggravated assault incidents have shown variability. In 2010, there were 27 cases (0.73 per 1,000 residents), representing 0.20% of the state's total. This peaked in 2021 with 58 cases (1.47 per 1,000 residents), accounting for 0.23% of the state's total. However, by 2022, cases decreased to 26 (0.66 per 1,000 residents), representing only 0.11% of the state's total. This indicates a recent significant decline in both the rate and the city's contribution to state-wide aggravated assault statistics.
There appears to be a correlation between population density and violent crime rates. As the population density increased from 2,159 per square mile in 2010 to 2,316 in 2022, there were fluctuations in violent crime rates, suggesting that higher density may contribute to increased crime incidents, although this relationship is not consistently linear.
Applying predictive models based on recent trends, it's projected that by 2029, the city may see a slight increase in overall violent crime rates, potentially reaching around 55-60 incidents per year. However, this prediction assumes current trends continue and does not account for potential policy changes or unforeseen circumstances.
In summary, Matthews has experienced complex violent crime trends against a backdrop of population growth. While some categories like robbery have remained relatively stable, others such as aggravated assault have shown significant fluctuations. The city's contribution to state-wide crime statistics varies by category, with recent years showing a general decrease in the city's share of state crime totals. These trends highlight the importance of continued vigilance and adaptive law enforcement strategies to maintain and improve public safety in this growing community.
