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Violent Crime Trends in Whitefish, Montana: A Decade of Change in a Mountain City
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Whitefish, Montana, a picturesque mountain town known for its scenic beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, has experienced significant changes in its violent crime patterns and population growth over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes in Whitefish increased by 150%, from 10 incidents to 25. During the same period, the population grew by 12.6%, from 11,579 to 13,038 residents, indicating that crime rates have outpaced population growth.
Murder trends in Whitefish have been relatively stable, with only one year, 2013, recording any murders (3 incidents). This spike resulted in a murder rate of 0.27 per 1,000 people for that year. In all other years, the murder rate remained at zero. The percentage of state murders attributable to Whitefish was 30% in 2013, an anomaly in an otherwise murder-free period. This isolated incident suggests that murder is not a persistent issue in the city, despite its significant impact on state statistics in 2013.
Rape incidents in the city have fluctuated over the years, ranging from a low of 1 case in 2014 and 2018 to a high of 4 cases in 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2017. The rape rate per 1,000 people has varied accordingly, from 0.08 to 0.35. The city's contribution to state rape cases has decreased overall, from 2.52% in 2010 to 0.75% in 2022. This downward trend in the percentage of state rapes, despite population growth, suggests improving conditions relative to the rest of Montana.
Robbery has been virtually non-existent in Whitefish, with only one reported case in 2012. This single incident resulted in a robbery rate of 0.09 per 1,000 people for that year and represented 0.62% of state robberies. The absence of robberies in other years indicates that this type of crime is not a significant concern for the city.
Aggravated assault has shown the most notable increase among violent crimes in Whitefish. The number of cases rose from 7 in 2010 to 22 in 2022, a 214% increase. The aggravated assault rate per 1,000 people increased from 0.60 in 2010 to 1.69 in 2022. However, the city's contribution to state aggravated assault cases has fluctuated, peaking at 2.01% in 2014 and decreasing to 0.93% in 2022. This suggests that while aggravated assaults have increased locally, they have not grown as rapidly as the state average.
A strong correlation exists between the increase in violent crimes and population density. As the population density rose from 1,657 people per square mile in 2010 to 1,866 in 2022, violent crimes increased correspondingly. Additionally, there appears to be a relationship between the rise in violent crimes and the slight decrease in the white population percentage, which fell from 97% in 2015 to 94% in 2022, coinciding with an increase in Hispanic and multi-racial populations.
Applying predictive models based on current trends, we can forecast that by 2029 (5 years from now), Whitefish may see approximately 35-40 violent crimes annually if current trends continue. This projection assumes a continued increase in population density and maintenance of current demographic shifts.
In conclusion, Whitefish has experienced a significant increase in violent crimes, particularly aggravated assaults, over the past decade. This trend has outpaced population growth, suggesting a need for targeted interventions. The city's changing demographics and increasing population density appear to be factors in this trend. While murder and robbery remain rare occurrences, the rise in aggravated assaults and the fluctuating rape statistics warrant attention from local law enforcement and community leaders. As Whitefish continues to grow and evolve, addressing these crime trends will be crucial to maintaining the city's reputation as a safe and desirable place to live and visit.
