Abstract
Social area analysis was employed in an ecological study of crime and delinquency in a metropolitan area. It was found that crime rates were negatively correlated with economic status and positively correlated with racial status. Delinquency rates were negatively correlated with economic status and family status and positively correlated with racial status. The proportion of de linquency to crime was positively correlated with economic status and negatively correlated with family status and racial status. Further analysis according to the grouping of census tracts into social areas and racial areas revealed qualifications of the cor relations. The ecology of crime and delinquency has significance only when social structures are specified by measures which are related to a theoretical framework, as is the case with social area analysis. Finally, the rates and patterns of crime and delinquency appear to be related to characteristics and trends in contem porary society.
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