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Violent Crime Trends in Morton Grove: A Small Illinois Village's Fluctuating Safety Landscape
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Morton Grove, Illinois, a suburban community located approximately 15 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, has experienced fluctuating violent crime rates over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes increased by 127.27%, while the population grew by 8.86% during the same period. The city has seen total violent crimes range from a low of 4 in 2012 to a high of 33 in 2020.
Murder trends in Morton Grove have remained relatively stable, with most years reporting zero murders. Isolated incidents occurred in 2014 and 2019, each with one murder reported. The murder rate per 1,000 people has remained extremely low, never exceeding 0.04 per 1,000 residents. The percentage of state murders attributed to the city has been negligible, with the highest being 0.17% in 2014. These figures suggest that murder is not a significant concern for the community.
Rape incidents in the city have fluctuated over the years, ranging from zero to three cases annually. The rape rate per 1,000 people varied between 0 and 0.13, with the highest rate observed in 2010. The city's contribution to state rape cases remained low, peaking at 0.18% in 2010. The inconsistent nature of these incidents makes it challenging to identify a clear trend, but overall, rape occurrences remain relatively infrequent.
Robbery trends show some variability, with a notable spike in 2020 when 15 cases were reported. This represents a rate of 0.60 robberies per 1,000 people, significantly higher than the average of previous years. The city's contribution to state robbery cases reached 0.14% in 2020, up from an average of around 0.03% in earlier years. Despite this spike, robbery rates have generally remained low, with most years reporting between 2 to 7 incidents.
Aggravated assault has been the most prevalent violent crime in Morton Grove, showing an overall increasing trend. The number of cases rose from 5 in 2010 to 22 in 2022, representing a 340% increase. The rate per 1,000 people increased from 0.21 in 2010 to 0.85 in 2022. The city's contribution to state aggravated assault cases also increased, from 0.02% in 2010 to 0.17% in 2022. This trend suggests a growing concern for public safety related to aggravated assaults.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a moderate positive relationship between population density and violent crime rates. As the population density increased from 4,662 per square mile in 2010 to 5,075 in 2022, violent crime incidents generally trended upward. Additionally, there seems to be a weak correlation between the increasing Asian population (from 28% in 2013 to 32% in 2022) and the rise in violent crimes, particularly aggravated assaults.
Applying predictive models based on the current trends, it is forecasted that by 2029, the city may experience approximately 40-45 violent crimes annually, with aggravated assaults potentially accounting for the majority of these incidents. The robbery rate is expected to stabilize around 5-7 cases per year, while murder and rape rates are predicted to remain low and sporadic.
In conclusion, Morton Grove has seen an overall increase in violent crimes, primarily driven by a rise in aggravated assaults. While the city remains relatively safe compared to national averages, the growing trend in violent crimes, particularly assaults, warrants attention from local law enforcement and community leaders. The relationship between population density and crime rates suggests that as the city continues to grow, proactive measures may be necessary to maintain public safety and prevent further escalation of violent incidents.
