Library Index :: Crime and Justice in America :: Crime—an Overview - Crime, Factors In The Rate Of Crime, Crime On The Decline, Increases Predicted, Decreases Noted In 2003

Crime—an Overview - Factors In The Rate Of Crime

The FBI lists many factors that can influence the rate of crime in a particular area, including:

  • Population density and degree of urbanization (big city growth).
  • Variations in the makeup of the population, particularly where youth is most concentrated.
  • Stability of the population—residents' tendencies to move around (mobility), commuting patterns, and length of time residing in the area (transient factors).
  • Types and condition of transportation and highway systems available.
  • Economic conditions, including average income, poverty, and job availability.
  • Cultural conditions, such as educational, recreational, and religious characteristics.
  • Family conditions with respect to divorce and family togetherness.
  • Climate and weather.
  • Effectiveness of law enforcement agencies.
  • Policies of other parts of the criminal justice system (prosecutorial, judicial, correctional, and probational).
  • Attitudes of residents toward crime.
  • Crime-reporting practices of the citizens.

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