Date Presented

Spring 5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Dr. Kenneth Wagner

Second Advisor

Dr. Elizabeth Sharrett

Third Advisor

Mr. Allen Tenbuschen

Abstract

Poverty, unemployment, and crime rates are three factors intertwined that have heavy effects on one another. Across many Virginia cities and counties, impoverished neighborhoods exist, with their citizens facing a rising crime level and a lack of employment within their households. As these three variables continue to occur and heavily affect society, it is pertinent to understand the relationship and the effects they have on one another. This study explores the relationship between impoverished areas, the crime rate, and the unemployment rate in all cities and counties across the state of Virginia. The data used in this analysis was collected from the Virginia State Police annual crime report, the United States Census Bureau to assess poverty rates, and the United States Bureau of Labor. Univariate analyses were run on all three data sets to assess the mean and data range of each set of rates. A Pearson's correlation was run to assess the strength and direction of correlation between the three variables. The analysis revealed that there is a positive relationship between poverty rates, unemployment, and crime rates. As one rate increases, the other follows, and, as these factors heavily influence the economy and society as a whole, it is very important to understand this relationship.

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