NCJ Number
156460
Date Published
1995
Length
52 pages
Annotation
An econometric model was used to examine the relationship between socioeconomic conditions and the incidence of serious crime in the east coast of the United States.
Abstract
The analysis focused on the correlation between the total crime index as reported by the Uniform Crime Report and various economic and demographic variables, including the unemployment rate, the proportion of families with incomes below the poverty level, the percentage of the labor force in blue collar jobs, age composition, and educational level. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using 1990 data by county for a layer of two counties covering the most densely populated areas along the coast from Maine to Florida. Results revealed a significant correlation between socioeconomic conditions and murder as well as aggravated assault. However, correlations were weak or inconclusive for robbery, burglary, larceny, vehicle theft under linear specifications and strong under log-log correlations. Findings suggested that crime rates are correlated with the socioeconomic conditions of the model in the east coast. Figures, tables, appended list of counties, and 87 references