NCJ Number
81551
Date Published
Unknown
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This exploratory study examined the ecological correlates of differential community crime levels in rural Ohio, focusing on the relation between the demographic, social, and economic factors of selected rural townships in Ohio and their rates of crime.
Abstract
Data for the study were collected from three sources: daily offense reports from nine Ohio sheriffs for a 6-month period, a 1974 field survey, and 1970 census data. The crime rate (the dependent variable) was measured by the weighted number of offenses known to the police from June through November 1974. The independent variables selected were community characteristics. The results of regression analysis showed that six variables were significantly related to crime rate variations in the rural Ohio area: population changes, marriage instability, education, poverty, crime prevention efforts, and community satisfaction. However, the predictability of these variables to the crime rate was relatively low. Marriage instability had a positive effect on the crime rate, while education had a negative effect. This finding is consistent with most urban studies. However, the positive correlation between preventive efforts and the crime rate and the negative correlation between poverty and the crime rate are contrary to findings from some urban studies. Tables, study instruments, maps, and about 30 references are appended. (Author abstract modified)