Bay City, TX Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Bay City, TX

The Bay City crime rates are 59.6% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 66 violent crimes in Bay City (371 per 100,000 people), which is 0.3% higher than the national average and there were a total of 594 property crimes (3338 per 100,000 residents) which is 70.8% higher than average.

For violent crimes per 100,000 people, Bay City has a rate of violent crime that is very close to the national average. There were a total of 371 violent crimes, while the national average reported 370. This is an indication that the level of crime is essentially on par with all other cities.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Bay City?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Bay City residents. Out of the respondents (16 in total), 44% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Bay City were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 56% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Bay City a Safe Place to Live?

Is Bay City a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Bay City has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 60%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 1.81 daily incidents, encompassing 0.18 violent crimes and 1.63 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Bay City as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Bay City Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Bay City crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Bay City has increased by 10.6% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 14.3% and property crime has increased by 14.2%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Bay City

In Bay City, the poverty rate currently stands at 20.3%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Bay City crime rates.

Bay City reports an unemployment rate of 4.2%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Bay City crime rates.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Bay City, the cost of living is 15.02% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Bay City crime map