As discussed previously, the city of Miami, Florida suffers from higher rates of criminal activity than many other American cities. Violent crimes are up to three times higher in Miami. Similarly, property crimes, especially certain kinds, tend to affect Miami residents more frequently than in other locales.
Nationally, per 100,000 individuals, there were approximately 812 burglaries. In Miami, however, there were 1,131. That means that in a year, about one percent of Miami residents will experience a burglary, usually of the victim's home. Larceny and thefts are somewhat higher in Miami compared to the rest of the country, with 3,046 per 100,000, compared to the average of 2,602. The largest property crime disparity lies in the theft of motor vehicles, however. Miami law enforcement officials reported 987 motor vehicle thefts per 100,000 residents in 2006 compared to 502 nationally.
For the same year, 2006, Miami was also ranked as the American city with the lowest median family income levels. The median household income was just $24,031. Newark, New Jersy, followed Miami with a median household income of $26,309. Cleveland, Detroit, New Orleans, St. Louis, and El Paso also made the list of the top ten most impoverished U.S. cities.
Within the city of Miami, over a quarter of the residents live in poverty - about 27 percent of the population. This is significantly higher than Miami-Dade County's overall poverty rate, which is 16.4 percent, and far above the Florida statewide rate of 12.6 percent. Nationally, about 13.3 percent of people living in the United States live at or below the poverty line. Within Miami, there are tremendous ethnic and racial income divides: Hispanic households average $25, 673 and African-Americans average $18,710 per household, while non-Hispanic white households average $63,723 for 2006. Some economists have noted that many new immigrants reside in Miami, but leave the city after going to school or learning a trade.
Nationally, per 100,000 individuals, there were approximately 812 burglaries. In Miami, however, there were 1,131. That means that in a year, about one percent of Miami residents will experience a burglary, usually of the victim's home. Larceny and thefts are somewhat higher in Miami compared to the rest of the country, with 3,046 per 100,000, compared to the average of 2,602. The largest property crime disparity lies in the theft of motor vehicles, however. Miami law enforcement officials reported 987 motor vehicle thefts per 100,000 residents in 2006 compared to 502 nationally.
For the same year, 2006, Miami was also ranked as the American city with the lowest median family income levels. The median household income was just $24,031. Newark, New Jersy, followed Miami with a median household income of $26,309. Cleveland, Detroit, New Orleans, St. Louis, and El Paso also made the list of the top ten most impoverished U.S. cities.
Within the city of Miami, over a quarter of the residents live in poverty - about 27 percent of the population. This is significantly higher than Miami-Dade County's overall poverty rate, which is 16.4 percent, and far above the Florida statewide rate of 12.6 percent. Nationally, about 13.3 percent of people living in the United States live at or below the poverty line. Within Miami, there are tremendous ethnic and racial income divides: Hispanic households average $25, 673 and African-Americans average $18,710 per household, while non-Hispanic white households average $63,723 for 2006. Some economists have noted that many new immigrants reside in Miami, but leave the city after going to school or learning a trade.
