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Violent Crime Trends in Whitehall, Ohio: A Decade of Changes Amid Population Growth
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Whitehall, Ohio, a city that has experienced significant population growth, has also witnessed notable changes in its violent crime rates over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the total number of violent crimes increased by 17.12%, rising from 146 incidents to 171, while the population grew by 10.27%, from 18,169 to 20,035 residents.
The murder rate in Whitehall has shown considerable variation over time. While the number of murders remained consistent at 1 in both 2010 and 2022, there were significant spikes, such as 10 murders in 2015, which represented 3.02% of the state's total that year. The murder rate per 1,000 people peaked at 0.54 in 2015 but generally remained low, averaging around 0.05 per 1,000 residents in most years. The city's contribution to state murders fluctuated significantly, ranging from 0% in 2017 to 3.02% in 2015, indicating sporadic severe incidents rather than a consistent trend.
Rape incidents in Whitehall have shown an overall increasing trend. Reported rapes rose from 15 in 2010 to 25 in 2022, a 66.67% increase. The rate per 1,000 people grew from 0.83 in 2010 to 1.25 in 2022. The city's share of state rape cases fluctuated between 0.3% and 0.81% during this period, with the highest percentage in 2015 at 0.81%. This trend suggests a growing concern for sexual violence in the community.
Robbery cases in Whitehall have shown a declining trend. The number of robberies decreased from 97 in 2010 to 47 in 2022, a 51.55% reduction. The robbery rate per 1,000 people dropped from 5.34 in 2010 to 2.35 in 2022. However, the city's share of state robberies increased from 0.66% in 2010 to 0.84% in 2022, indicating that while local numbers decreased, they didn't fall as rapidly as the state average.
Aggravated assault incidents have shown a significant increase in Whitehall. Cases rose from 33 in 2010 to 98 in 2022, a 196.97% increase. The rate per 1,000 people grew from 1.82 in 2010 to 4.89 in 2022. The city's share of state aggravated assaults also increased from 0.28% in 2010 to 0.57% in 2022, suggesting a faster growth in assault cases compared to the state average.
A correlation appears to exist between the rising population density and the increase in certain violent crimes, particularly aggravated assaults. As the population density increased from 3,442 per square mile in 2010 to 3,795 in 2022, violent crimes, especially assaults, saw a corresponding rise. Additionally, changes in racial demographics seem to correlate with crime rates. As the percentage of Black residents increased from 30% in 2013 to 41% in 2022, and the percentage of White residents decreased from 53% to 43% in the same period, there was an overall increase in violent crimes.
Applying predictive models based on these trends, it's projected that by 2029, Whitehall may see a slight increase in murders, potentially reaching 3-4 per year. Rape cases could rise to around 30-35 annually. Robbery cases might stabilize or slightly decrease to about 40-45 per year. Aggravated assaults could continue to rise, potentially reaching 120-130 cases annually.
In summary, Whitehall has experienced a complex evolution in its violent crime landscape. While some categories like robbery have shown improvement, others such as aggravated assault have worsened significantly. The correlation between demographic shifts, increasing population density, and crime rates suggests a need for targeted community interventions and law enforcement strategies. As the city continues to grow and change, addressing these crime trends will be crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents.
