Spatial Distribution of Gun Violence in Philadelphia: A Census-Based Analysis

Samuel Dadson ()

International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology (IJISRT), 2026, vol. 11, issue 02, 2617-2627

Abstract: Gun violence in Philadelphia is characterized by a strong geographic variation that aligns with underlying socioeconomic disparities. This project analyzes the spatial distribution of shooting victims using incident-level data sourced from the city’s data portal (OpenDataPhilly) and demographic indicators from the 2022 ACS at the census-tract level. Shooting incidents were aggregated to tracts and normalized as shooting rates per 1,000 residents. A series of univariate choropleth maps, hot spot analysis, Moran’s I (both global and local), and bivariate maps were used to examine spatial patterns and their socioeconomic correlates. The results after these analyses show that there are statistically significant clusters of shooting rates, with high-risk hot spots concentrated in central Philadelphia. The Bivariate mapping and scatterplot analysis reveal strong correlations between high shooting rates and high poverty, and high housing vacancy and low median income. Also, it was discovered that places with high average incomes exhibited low shooting rates. These findings demonstrate a clear spatial link between concentrated socioeconomic inequality and exposure to gun violence, highlighting the importance of neighborhood-level disparities in shaping risk.

Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cvr:ijisrt:2026:02:ijisrt26feb1303

DOI: 10.38124/ijisrt/26feb1303

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