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Wilburton, Oklahoma: Significant Drop in Violent Crime Amidst Demographic Shifts
CATEGORY
Crime
DATA
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Crime
Violent Crime
Median Rent
Racial Distributions
Population
Wilburton, located in Oklahoma, presents an interesting case study in violent crime trends over the past decade. From 2010 to 2022, the city experienced significant fluctuations in its total violent crime incidents, with a notable overall decrease of 92.3% from 13 incidents in 2010 to just 1 in 2022. This substantial reduction occurred against a backdrop of relatively stable population figures, with the population slightly decreasing by 0.73% from 3,574 in 2010 to 3,548 in 2022.
Analyzing the murder rate, Wilburton has maintained a consistent record of zero murders from 2010 to 2022. This statistic is particularly noteworthy given the population fluctuations during this period. The absence of murders translates to a consistent 0% contribution to the state's murder statistics, suggesting effective local crime prevention strategies or social factors contributing to this positive outcome.
Rape incidents in the city have shown variability over the years. The city reported no rapes from 2010 to 2013, but then saw sporadic occurrences. Notable peaks were observed in 2014 and 2015 with 2 and 4 incidents respectively, representing 0.13% and 0.27% of the state's total rapes. By 2022, the number had returned to zero. When considering the population, the highest rate was approximately 1.08 rapes per 1,000 people in 2015, decreasing to 0 by 2022. This fluctuation suggests a need for continued vigilance in sexual assault prevention efforts.
Robbery trends in Wilburton have been minimal. The city reported only one robbery in 2010 and 2011, representing 0.03% of the state's robberies in each of those years. From 2012 to 2019, no robberies were reported. In 2020, there was a single incident, accounting for 0.05% of the state's robberies. By 2022, robberies had again dropped to zero. The robbery rate per 1,000 people peaked at 0.28 in 2010 and 2011, indicating that robbery has not been a significant concern for the city in recent years.
Aggravated assault has been the most prevalent form of violent crime in the city. The number of incidents fluctuated significantly, from a high of 13 in 2019 (representing 0.12% of the state's total) to a low of 1 in 2022 (0.01% of the state's total). The rate per 1,000 people varied accordingly, peaking at 3.61 in 2019 and dropping to 0.28 in 2022. This substantial decrease of 92.3% in aggravated assaults from 2019 to 2022 is a positive trend for the city's safety.
Examining correlations, there appears to be a moderate inverse relationship between median rent and violent crime rates. As median rent increased from $489 in 2013 to $720 in 2022, there was a general downward trend in violent crime incidents. Additionally, the Native American population percentage increased from 12% in 2013 to 23% in 2022, coinciding with the overall decrease in violent crime, though a direct causal relationship cannot be established without further study.
Applying predictive models based on recent trends, it's projected that by 2029, Wilburton could potentially maintain its low violent crime rates, with aggravated assaults possibly stabilizing at 1-2 incidents per year. The city may continue to see zero or near-zero incidents of murder, rape, and robbery if current trends persist.
In summary, Wilburton has demonstrated a remarkable improvement in its violent crime statistics over the past decade. The consistent absence of murders, the significant reduction in aggravated assaults, and the minimal occurrences of rape and robbery paint a picture of a community that has become increasingly safer. These trends, coupled with the demographic and economic changes observed, suggest that Wilburton has made substantial progress in creating a secure environment for its residents.
