September 1, 2007

Tags: performance measurement

People are attracted to an area that offers a high quality of life. The quality of a community is not defined by a single factor: safety, affordability, and availability of arts and cultural amenities are a few of the many characteristics that are taken into account as people choose where to live.

In terms of safety, the level of crime and its change over time will impact the perception of security. Since 2000, there have been troubling declines in public safety but other indicators illustrate that our communities remain vibrant. The median home value will reveal the affordability of an area and comparisons will show its desirability. Arts and cultural activities provide entertainment and education, and the level of participation will show the value that is placed on such amenities.

Arts and Culture Participation

Short Term Trend: Data Unavailable
Long Term Trend: Data Unavailable

One of Philadelphia’s greatest strengths is its arts and cultural amenities. One way to calculate the value citizens place on arts and culture is to look at attendance. Below are the results of a survey carried out by Temple University’s Metropolitan Philadelphia Indicators Project for Philadelphia and its Pennsylvania suburbs. Data about New York City’s participation level was gathered from the Fordham Institute for Innovation in Social Policy. Those surveyed were asked which activities they participated in at least once over the past year. New Yorkers have the lowest level of involvement.


Source: Temple University Metropolitan Philadelphia Indicators Project, Fordham Institute for Innovation in Social Policy

Median Home Value

Short Term Trend: Improving
Long Term Trend: Improving

Since 2000, Pennsylvania’s median home value increased by 40 percent while the nation saw a 50 percent jump. Philadelphia’s median home value in 2005 was well below national and regional averages. Though the city’s home values are low comparatively, the percentage change in median home value from 2000-2005 reveals that the city, 5-county, and 9-county region have grown at approximately the same rate of 65%. This uptick may also have a downside: some communities’ residents have found themselves priced out of their homes because rising values tempt landlords to sell or raise rents.

 

 

Source: U.S. Census, American Community Survey 2005

 

Property Crimes per 100,000

Short Term Trend: Stable
Long Term Trend: Improving

Property crime is an aggregate of burglary, motor vehicle theft, larceny (other theft), and arson. Philadelphia’s property crime rate declined from a high of 4,967 crimes committed per 100,000 residents in 2000 to level out at approximately 4,300 crimes committed per 100,000 residents in 2006, a 13 percent decrease.

Source: Philadelphia Uniform Crime Reports

 

Although property crime statistics are higher for Philadelphia than for the region, state, or nation, the disparity is less severe than comparisons of violent crime.

Source: Temple University Metropolitan Philadelphia Indicators Project, FBI, PA Crime Index

Unnatural Deaths per 100,000

Short Term Trend: Declining
Long Term Trend: Declining

Like violent crimes, unnatural deaths – those not precipitated by natural causes -- are on the rise in Philadelphia. “Unnatural death” sums suicides, homicides, deaths resulting from law enforcement actions, events of undetermined intent, and accidents. Although the rate is increasing, the difference between the lowest and highest value is small, ranging in value from 72 to 84 (per 100,000) in Philadelphia.

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Health

 

While rates for the country, state, and region are relatively even, Philadelphia averages 20 more unnatural deaths per 100,000 residents.

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Health, National Vital Statistics Reports 2006

Violent Crimes per 100,000

Short Term Trend: Declining
Long Term Trend: Declining

Currently, Philadelphia is fighting a surge in violent crime. The “violent crime” category is comprised of murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The city and its citizens enjoyed a downward trend from 2000 to 2002, but this reversed starting in 2003. The rate continues to climb and in 2006, it hit a high of 1,580 crimes per 100,000 residents. Despite the public and private initiatives such as Operation Safe Streets and Town Watch, improved outcomes have not been achieved.

Source: Philadelphia Uniform Crime Reports

Eighty-three percent of the violent crimes in the 5-county region were committed in Philadelphia. The city’s violent crime rate in 2004 was more than double that of the region, state, or nation.

Source: Temple University Metropolitan Philadelphia Indicators Project, FBI, PA Crime Index