Loading Content...
Violent Crime Trends in Post Falls, Idaho: A Decade of Growth and Challenges
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Post Falls, Idaho, has experienced significant changes in violent crime trends alongside substantial population growth over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes increased from 39 to 90, representing a 130.77% increase. During this same period, the population grew from 33,000 to 47,417, a 43.69% increase.
The murder rate in Post Falls has fluctuated over the years, with no consistent trend. In 2010, there were 2 murders, representing 13.33% of the state's total. The rate dropped to zero for several years, then rose again to 2 in 2014 (11.11% of state total), before settling at 1 in 2022 (3.45% of state total). When adjusted for population, the murder rate per 1,000 people decreased from 0.061 in 2010 to 0.021 in 2022, indicating a relative improvement in safety despite the occasional spike.
Rape incidents have shown variability, with a general upward trend. The number of reported rapes increased from 11 in 2010 to 14 in 2019, dropping slightly to 9 in 2022. The percentage of state rape cases attributed to the city decreased from 2.92% in 2010 to 1.32% in 2022. However, when accounting for population growth, the rape rate per 1,000 people decreased from 0.333 in 2010 to 0.190 in 2022, suggesting a relative improvement in this area of violent crime.
Robbery trends have remained relatively stable, with slight fluctuations. The number of robberies increased from 2 in 2010 to 4 in 2022. The city's share of state robberies rose from 1.03% to 3.12% during this period. However, the robbery rate per 1,000 people increased slightly from 0.061 in 2010 to 0.084 in 2022, indicating a minor increase relative to population growth.
Aggravated assault has shown the most significant increase among violent crimes. The number of aggravated assaults rose from 24 in 2010 to 76 in 2022, a 216.67% increase. The city's share of state aggravated assaults increased from 1.31% to 3.20%. When adjusted for population, the rate per 1,000 people increased from 0.727 in 2010 to 1.603 in 2022, indicating a substantial rise in this type of violent crime relative to population growth.
There appears to be a correlation between the increase in violent crime and population density. As the population density increased from 2,040 people per square mile in 2010 to 2,931 in 2022, violent crime rates also rose. This suggests that the growing urbanization of the area may be contributing to higher crime rates.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends for the next seven years (up to 2029), we can anticipate a continued increase in overall violent crimes if current trends persist. Aggravated assaults are likely to see the most significant growth, potentially reaching over 100 incidents annually. Rape and robbery rates may stabilize or show modest increases, while murder rates are expected to remain low but unpredictable due to their rarity.
In summary, Post Falls has experienced a notable increase in violent crimes, particularly aggravated assaults, alongside substantial population growth. While some crime rates have improved relative to population size, the overall trend suggests increasing challenges in maintaining public safety as the city continues to grow and densify. These findings underscore the importance of proactive law enforcement strategies and community-based initiatives to address the rising crime rates in this rapidly expanding Idaho city.
