At a Glance
Wichita Falls faces above-average violent crime ratewith a rate of 308.7 per 100,000 residents in 2022, 1.4 times the U.S. average. Key factors include economic challengesa declining populationand issues with abandoned properties contributing to criminal activity. Copy
Above Average Violent Crime Rate
- : In 2022, Wichita Falls had a violent crime rate of308.7 per 100,000 residents which is1.4 times higher than the U.S. average of 219.8 Upward Trend
- : The violent crime rate increased9% from 2021 to 2022, with 14 homicides in 2022, 4 more than the previous year Historical Context
- : Violent crime rates peaked in 2009 at296.9 per 100,000 residents and again in 2008 at 303.6 Property Crime
- : The property crime rate in 2022 was247.4 per 100,000 residents residents, 1.5 times the U.S. average of 166.5 Economic Factors
Labor Market Decline
- : Wichita Falls experienced a-4.9% decline in the labor market over the past year, with future job growth projected 30.4% over the next ten years, lower than the U.S. average of 33.5% Lower Income Levels
- : The average income for a Wichita Falls resident is$26,434 per year, significantly lower than the U.S. average of $37,638 Historical Economic Hits
- : The city faced significant economic challenges in the early 2000s, including the loss of amilitary mission and several major manufacturers followed by a national recession and droughtLabor Force Decline
- : From 2004 to 2015, the labor force declined from74,571 to 64 355 a 12-year declineDemographic Challenges
Population Decline
- : Wichita Falls experienced a4% population decline in the first 5 years of the last decade and a 1% decline since 2005 Aging population
- : The city is a popular retirement destination, which leads tounemployment below average but potentially contributing to a lack of economic dynamism Need for younger residents
- : The Chamber of Commerce wants to attract moreyoung adults stimulate growth and economic development Infrastructure and security issues
Abandoned buildings
- : Vacant and abandoned properties have been linked to criminal activity, includingarson case Public transport safety
- : Concerns exist about safety at school bus stops, with incidents of drivers not following the rules of the road.Law Enforcement Resources
- : In 2021, Wichita Falls had265 full-time law enforcement officers including 197 police officers, with a police/resident ratio of1.87 slightly below the Texas average of 2.07Recent Crime Trends
Increase in specific crimes
- : From January to April 2023, compared to the same period in 2022,flights went from 6 to 16, and sexual assault from 28 to 46 Vehicle Crimes
- : While vehicle thefts decreased from 97 to 56, there has been a recent increasevehicle burglaries Community involvement
- : Police seek information from community and informants to combat vehicle burglaries and other crimesMedia