Crime rates in the United States vary depending on factors such as population, region, and type of community. However, no matter where in the United States, there will inevitably be crime. Some cities more prevalent than others, but nonetheless it is a concern of many. After analyzing a database from census.gov, the statistics show the varying degrees in crime in major cities across the country.
The database collected the numbers from the amount of violent crimes and property crimes in major cities. Violent crimes include: murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault; while property crimes include: burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft.
After narrowing the statistics down to only crimes occurring in the Midwest, some of the statistics proved shocking. While Chicago and Detroit are well known for being highly violent major cities; they were not the highest in every category of crime as one would expect. In fact, both cities were the highest crime rates in two areas each. According to US Census, Chicago, the percent of victims of a violent crime came out on top at 2.56% and the highest percentage of victims of rape at 1.439%. While the city of Detroit held the highest percent of murders in 2009 at 0.00040%. Detroit also held the highest percentage of victims of assault at 1.25% in the Midwest.
Crime statistics in major Midwest cities
One should take note, that for the city of Chicago, the database shows that the percent of rape in the city is the driving factor for why the percent of victims of a violent crime is so high. Each statistic coincides with one another, making the total of violent crimes in Chicago skyrocket. This is also the case when looking at the numbers for Detroit, Michigan. The murder rate is so high that it raises the total percentage of violent crime for the city drastically.
Chicago resident Bridget Coverick had mixed emotions on this information. “As a woman, the extremely high forcible rape percentage in Chicago scares me, and has put me even more on my guard. However, it is a small comfort knowing that Chicago isn’t the highest percentage of crime in every category.”
Looking at the crime rates across the entire United States as well as the crime rates in the Midwest are crucial to the understanding of crime in the United States. While crime is much more widespread in some areas more than others, awareness is necessary.