Brookings Report Highlights Crime Challenges Beyond Urban Areas

A recent report by the Brookings Institution challenges the conventional focus on urban crime, revealing that suburban and rural areas also face significant safety challenges. The study emphasizes the critical role of economic opportunity in enhancing public safety across all community types.

The Brookings Institution's March 2025 report, "The Path to Public Safety Requires Economic Opportunity: Trends and Solutions in Urban, Suburban, and Rural Communities," highlights that crime is not confined to urban areas. Suburban and rural communities often experience higher per capita crime rates, underscoring the need for economic interventions to improve public safety nationwide.

The report challenges the conventional focus on urban crime by revealing that suburban and rural areas often experience higher per capita crime rates than their urban counterparts. For instance, in 2023, Bolivar, Tennessee (population 4,888), reported a violent crime rate more than twice that of Knoxville and over three times that of Chicago. Similarly, Laurinburg, North Carolina (population 14,928), had a violent crime rate more than twice that of Charlotte and 3.5 times higher than Austin, Texas.

The study highlights a strong correlation between economic opportunity and crime rates. Communities with limited economic prospects, regardless of their urban, suburban, or rural status, tend to experience higher crime rates. This underscores the necessity of addressing economic disparities to enhance public safety across all community types.

Analyzing data from 2019 to 2023, the report identifies a patchwork of progress and setbacks in crime rates across different communities. While some areas have seen reductions in crime, others, particularly certain suburban and rural localities, have experienced increases, indicating that crime trends are not uniform and require tailored policy responses.

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C., renowned for its independent research and analysis on various policy issues. The authors of the report are affiliated with Brookings Metro, a program dedicated to providing practical solutions for economic and social challenges in metropolitan areas.

The findings have profound implications for public policy and community development:

• Policy Reorientation: The evidence that crime is prevalent across all community types suggests a need to move beyond urban-centric crime policies. Policymakers should develop strategies that address the unique challenges of suburban and rural areas.

• Economic Development as Crime Prevention: Investing in economic opportunities, such as job creation and educational programs, can serve as effective crime prevention measures. This approach aligns with the concept of "transformative placemaking," which advocates for holistic, place-based development to foster inclusive economic growth.

• Resource Allocation: Understanding the geographic distribution of crime can inform more equitable allocation of resources, ensuring that suburban and rural communities receive adequate support for public safety initiatives.

The Brookings Institution's report provides compelling evidence that crime is a multifaceted issue affecting urban, suburban, and rural communities alike. By linking economic opportunity to public safety, the study advocates for integrated policy approaches that address economic disparities as a means to reduce crime. This comprehensive perspective is essential for developing effective and equitable public safety strategies across all community types.