NCJ Number
212592
Journal
Criminal Justice Studies: A Critical Journal of Crime, Law and Society Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2005 Pages: 365-378
Date Published
December 2005
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study examined county-level socio-economic and demographic correlates of crime in Alabama.
Abstract
Previous research has sought to explain the decrease in crime rates that has been observed across the United States over the past 10 years, yet there remain difficulties in explaining the timing, magnitude, persistence, and prevalence of the declining crime rates. The current study sought to address these gaps in understanding by examining county-level data concerning the socio-economic and demographic correlates of crime in Alabama, a State that has endured endemic social and economic hardship. Data on county-level crime were drawn from the Uniform Crime Reports for individual violent crimes and for individual property crimes. Variables under examination included age, proportion unemployed, proportion Black, police expenditure, per capita income, and proportion with a high school degree. Overall, results of statistical analyses showed a strong relationship between the socio-economic variables and crime across counties in Alabama. Specifically, factors correlated with crime included low education, high unemployment, job instability, and low income. Reducing risk factors for crime in Alabama thus involves attention to many facets of social and economic life, including early childhood education and support for low income families; community-based after school programs; and youth employment initiatives. Figures, tables, notes, references