Does Poverty Increase Crime?

This study examined whether a correlation exists among crime statistics between communities based on median income, funding levels, and number of police officers. The data was collected from research on 12 communities throughout New Jersey, a state with varying average incomes. The communities were chosen at random. Four communities had an average household annual income of more than $100,000. Four other communities had an average household income between $99,999 and the poverty line. The last four had an average household income below the poverty line. Recognizing possible correlations among these variables can lead to efforts identifying appropriate funding levels, better community programs, improvements in education, and more, leading to the next movement in fighting crime and showcasing a more proactive economic approach.