NCJ Number
186498
Journal
Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 23 Issue: 1 Dated: 2000 Pages: 47-64
Editor(s)
J. Mitchell Miller
Date Published
2000
Length
18 pages
Annotation
Recognizing few systematic studies have tested the effects of household crowding on crime rates, this study examined such effects in the Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSAs) and counties of the United States.
Abstract
Data were obtained from U.S. Census compilations that included Uniform Crime Report categories of violent crimes and property crimes and separate figures for five index crimes (robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft). The analysis examined household crowding's independent association with SMSA and county crime rates. Results demonstrated household crowding was independently related to crime in 13 of 14 aggregate crime combinations. The only exception to this pattern was for larceny at the county level. The author recommends future research investigate the effects of household crowding on crime rates in neighborhoods and other aggregates smaller than those in the current study. Appendixes contain correlation matrixes for predictor variables for SMSAs and counties. 60 references and 6 tables