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Violent Crime Trends in Peoria, Illinois: Manufacturing City Faces Complex Safety Challenges
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Peoria, Illinois, a city with a rich history in manufacturing and industry, has experienced significant changes in its violent crime landscape over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes in Peoria increased by 49.7%, from 878 to 1,314 incidents. During this same period, the city's population decreased by 5.0%, from 114,966 to 109,221 residents, suggesting a complex relationship between population dynamics and crime rates.
Murder rates in Peoria have shown notable fluctuations over the years. In 2010, there were 22 murders, representing 0.19 murders per 1,000 residents. By 2022, this number had increased to 24 murders, or 0.22 per 1,000 residents, indicating a 9.1% increase in the murder rate relative to population. The city's share of state murders has remained relatively consistent, ranging from 1.21% in 2014 to 3.67% in 2010, with 2022 showing 3.07% of the state's total. This suggests that while Peoria's murder rate has increased, it has generally maintained its proportional contribution to state-wide murders.
Rape incidents in the city have seen a significant increase over the analyzed period. In 2010, there were 31 reported rapes (0.27 per 1,000 residents), which rose to 103 in 2022 (0.94 per 1,000 residents), marking a 232.3% increase in the rape rate. The city's share of state rape cases has also grown, from 1.81% in 2010 to 2.92% in 2022. This substantial rise in rape cases, both in absolute numbers and as a proportion of state cases, indicates a concerning trend that warrants attention from local law enforcement and community leaders.
Robbery trends in Peoria present a more positive picture. The number of robberies decreased from 306 in 2010 (2.66 per 1,000 residents) to 121 in 2022 (1.11 per 1,000 residents), representing a 60.5% decrease in the robbery rate. The city's share of state robberies also declined from 1.69% in 2010 to 1.13% in 2022. This significant reduction in robberies suggests effective strategies may have been implemented to combat this particular type of crime.
Aggravated assault cases have seen a dramatic increase in Peoria. In 2010, there were 519 reported cases (4.51 per 1,000 residents), which rose to 1,066 in 2022 (9.76 per 1,000 residents), marking a 105.4% increase in the assault rate. The city's contribution to state aggravated assault cases has also risen substantially, from 2.06% in 2010 to 8.39% in 2022. This sharp increase in aggravated assaults is particularly concerning and may indicate a need for targeted interventions to address the root causes of violent behavior in the community.
Examining correlations between violent crime trends and other factors reveals some notable patterns. There appears to be a strong inverse correlation between population density and violent crime rates. As the population density decreased from 2,393 per square mile in 2010 to 2,273 in 2022, violent crime rates increased. Additionally, there seems to be a correlation between rising median rent and increasing violent crime rates. Median rent increased from $698 in 2013 to $919 in 2022, coinciding with the overall increase in violent crimes.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029) suggests a continued increase in overall violent crime rates if current trends persist. The model predicts that by 2029, Peoria could see approximately 1,600 violent crimes annually, with aggravated assaults potentially reaching 1,300 cases. However, robbery rates are expected to continue their downward trend, potentially dropping to around 80 cases per year.
In summary, Peoria has experienced a significant increase in violent crimes over the past decade, particularly in rape and aggravated assault cases, while seeing a notable decrease in robberies. The inverse relationship between population density and crime rates, along with the correlation between rising rents and increased violent crime, suggests complex socioeconomic factors at play. As the city moves forward, addressing these trends will be crucial for improving public safety and quality of life for Peoria's residents.
