A Test of Social Disorganization on Juvenile Property and Violent Crime Rates by Zip Codes Within Two Nonmetropolitan Counties.

This study tests the effects of social disorganization on juvenile crimes rates by zip code within two nonmetropolitan counties. It does so by examining the relationships between the selected social disorganization indicators of nontraditional family, residential mobility, and socioeconomic status (poverty) and violent and property crime among juveniles through the use of ANOVA testing. Secondary data obtained from the South Dakota Department of Corrections on adjudicated juveniles and their associated crime and residential location, as well as data from the United States Census Bureau is used and analyzed to test three main hypotheses. Findings indicate that areas characterized by poverty and residential mobility are associated with violent and property crime committed by juveniles. A discussion and implication section is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]