Loading Content...
Violent Crime Trends in Rio Hondo: A Small Texas City's Safety Profile
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Rio Hondo, Texas, a small city with a growing population, has experienced fluctuating violent crime rates over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the city's population increased by 22.2%, growing from 3,562 to 4,353 residents. During this period, the total number of violent crimes varied significantly, with the lowest count of 2 incidents occurring in 2012, 2017, and 2020, while the highest count reached 9 incidents in 2021.
Murder rates in Rio Hondo have remained exceptionally low, with only one recorded murder in 2019. This single incident translated to a rate of 0.21 murders per 1,000 people for that year, representing 0.09% of the state's total murders. The rarity of this crime makes it challenging to establish a trend or draw meaningful comparisons to population growth.
Rape incidents in the city have been sporadic, showing no clear trend. The reported cases include 2 rapes in 2014 (0.55 per 1,000 people), 1 in 2016 (0.23 per 1,000), 1 in 2020 (0.24 per 1,000), 2 in 2021 (0.52 per 1,000), and 1 in 2022 (0.23 per 1,000). These incidents accounted for a very small fraction of the state's total, ranging from 0% to 0.02% of state rapes.
Robbery rates in Rio Hondo have consistently remained low, with only two years reporting incidents: 2 robberies in 2010 (0.56 per 1,000 people) and 1 in 2022 (0.23 per 1,000 people). In both years with reported incidents, the city's robberies accounted for 0.01% of the state's total, suggesting that robbery is not a significant concern for the community.
Aggravated assault has emerged as the most prevalent violent crime in Rio Hondo. The annual number of incidents fluctuated between 1 and 7, with the highest count of 7 occurring in both 2013 and 2021. The rate per 1,000 people ranged from 0.24 in 2020 to 1.94 in 2013. Despite these fluctuations, Rio Hondo's contribution to the state's total aggravated assaults remained consistently low, ranging from 0% to 0.01%.
A moderate correlation appears to exist between population density and violent crime rates in Rio Hondo. As the population density increased from 2,109 people per square mile in 2010 to 2,577 in 2022, there was a slight overall increase in violent crime incidents, although the relationship is not perfectly linear. Additionally, a correlation seems to exist between the Hispanic population percentage and violent crime rates. The Hispanic population grew from 80% in 2013 to 89% in 2022, coinciding with a general, albeit inconsistent, upward trend in violent crime incidents.
Predictive models based on the available data project that by 2029, Rio Hondo may experience a slight increase in violent crime incidents, potentially reaching an average of 10-12 incidents per year. This projection assumes that current demographic and socioeconomic trends continue.
In conclusion, despite its population growth, Rio Hondo has maintained relatively low violent crime rates. Aggravated assault remains the primary concern, while other violent crimes occur infrequently. The city's changing demographics and increasing population density may contribute to future crime trends, but overall, violent crime rates remain low compared to state averages. As the community continues to grow, local law enforcement and policymakers should focus on maintaining public safety, particularly in addressing and preventing aggravated assaults.
