Loading Content...
Violent Crime Trends in Ocean City: A Decade of Decreasing Incidents in a Coastal Resort Town
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Ocean City, New Jersey, a coastal resort town known for its beaches and boardwalk, has experienced fluctuating violent crime rates over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes decreased from 27 to 14, representing a 48.15% reduction. During this same period, the city's population declined from 12,287 in 2010 to 11,260 in 2022, a 8.36% decrease.
The murder rate in Ocean City has remained consistently low, with only one reported case in 2017. This single incident represented 0.46% of the state's murders that year. With a population of 11,325 in 2017, this translates to a rate of 0.088 murders per 1,000 residents. The absence of murders in other years indicates a generally safe environment in terms of homicides.
Rape cases have fluctuated over the years, with a peak of 4 cases in 2010 (0.76% of state cases) and periods of no reported cases in 2018, 2019, and 2022. The highest rate was 0.326 per 1,000 residents in 2010, decreasing to 0 in recent years. This trend suggests an improvement in sexual violence prevention or reporting practices.
Robbery incidents have shown a declining trend, from 9 cases in 2010 (0.11% of state cases) to 0 in 2022. The rate per 1,000 residents fell from 0.733 in 2010 to 0 in 2022. This significant decrease indicates improved public safety measures or economic conditions in the city.
Aggravated assault cases have fluctuated but show an overall decrease from 14 in 2010 (0.16% of state cases) to 14 in 2022 (0.25% of state cases). The rate per 1,000 residents increased slightly from 1.14 in 2010 to 1.24 in 2022, despite the population decrease. This suggests that while the number of cases remained the same, the city's share of state aggravated assaults increased.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a relationship between the city's declining population and the overall reduction in violent crimes. The population density decreased from 1,819 per square mile in 2010 to 1,667 in 2022, which coincides with the general downward trend in violent crime rates. Additionally, the racial composition of the city has remained relatively stable, with the white population slightly decreasing from 89% in 2013 to 85% in 2022, while the Hispanic population increased from 3% to 8% during the same period.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029), we can expect the overall violent crime rate to continue its gradual decline if current trends persist. The rate of aggravated assaults may stabilize or slightly increase, while robberies and rapes are likely to remain at very low levels. Murder rates are expected to stay near zero, with possible isolated incidents not indicative of a broader trend.
In conclusion, Ocean City has shown a generally positive trend in reducing violent crime over the past decade, despite some fluctuations. The city's declining population and changes in demographic composition have coincided with these crime reductions. As a popular tourist destination, maintaining low crime rates is crucial for Ocean City's economy and reputation. The forecasted continuation of these trends suggests that the city is likely to remain a relatively safe community in the coming years, with ongoing efforts needed to address persistent issues like aggravated assaults.
