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Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Selma, Alabama, a city renowned for its civil rights history, has witnessed significant shifts in its violent crime landscape over the past decade. From 2011 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes in Selma decreased by 60.1%, from 333 to 133 incidents. This substantial reduction occurred alongside a population decline, with the city's population dropping by 19.9% from 21,541 in 2011 to 17,264 in 2022.
The murder rate in Selma has shown fluctuations, with a concerning increase in recent years. In 2011, there were 3 murders, which rose to 7 in 2022, representing a 133.3% increase. When adjusted for population, the murder rate per 1,000 people increased from 0.14 in 2011 to 0.41 in 2022, a 192.9% rise. Notably, Selma's contribution to the state's total murders increased from 1.23% in 2011 to 1.88% in 2022, indicating that the city's murder rate grew disproportionately compared to the state average.
Rape incidents in the city have shown a downward trend. The number of reported rapes decreased from 16 in 2011 to 7 in 2022, a 56.3% reduction. The rape rate per 1,000 people also declined from 0.74 to 0.41, a 44.6% decrease. However, the city's contribution to the state's total rape cases fell more significantly, from 1.69% in 2011 to 0.80% in 2022, suggesting that rape incidents in Selma decreased at a faster rate than the state average.
Robbery cases in the city have seen a substantial decline. The number of robberies dropped from 71 in 2011 to 11 in 2022, an 84.5% decrease. The robbery rate per 1,000 people fell from 3.30 to 0.64, an 80.6% reduction. The city's share of the state's total robberies also decreased from 1.61% to 0.84%, indicating that Selma's improvement in this category outpaced the state's overall trend.
Aggravated assault cases have shown a significant decrease as well. The number of incidents fell from 243 in 2011 to 108 in 2022, a 55.6% reduction. The rate per 1,000 people decreased from 11.28 to 6.26, a 44.5% drop. However, the city's contribution to the state's total aggravated assaults decreased less dramatically, from 2.40% to 0.95%, suggesting that while Selma improved, it did so at a rate closer to the state average for this crime category.
A strong correlation exists between the overall violent crime trend and the city's changing demographics. As the population declined by 19.9% from 2011 to 2022, the total violent crime incidents decreased by 60.1%. This suggests that factors beyond population change, such as improved law enforcement strategies or community initiatives, may have contributed to the crime reduction.
Additionally, there appears to be a correlation between the racial composition of the city and crime rates. The percentage of Black residents increased from 74% in 2013 to 73% in 2022, while the White population decreased from 22% to 21% over the same period. This slight shift in racial demographics coincided with the overall decrease in violent crime, though it's important to note that correlation does not imply causation, and other socioeconomic factors likely play a role.
Applying predictive models to forecast violent crime trends for the next five years (up to 2029), we can anticipate a continued overall decline in violent crime rates if current trends persist. However, the murder rate may continue to be a concern, potentially increasing further unless targeted interventions are implemented.
In summary, Selma has made significant strides in reducing overall violent crime over the past decade, with substantial decreases in robbery, rape, and aggravated assault rates. However, the increasing murder rate remains a critical issue that warrants attention. The city's changing demographics and population decline have coincided with these crime trends, suggesting a complex interplay of factors influencing public safety in Selma. As the city moves forward, addressing the root causes of violent crime, particularly homicides, while maintaining the positive trends in other categories, will be crucial for ensuring the continued safety and well-being of its residents.