Crime in Shale Counties: A Panel Data Regression Analysis of the Boom Years

Shale gas development in rural America provides both benefits and costs to local communities. Crime is often discussed in literature and media as one of the costs associated with the industry’s presence. Few studies, however, attempt to establish a statistical relationship between crime and shale gas development. Additionally, the methods used by scholars to measure development vary. This study explores the relationship between well completion as a proxy for shale gas development and seven different types of crime, including both violent and property crime. Using county-level panel data spanning the years 2000 to 2013, this analysis extends current research on the topic and identifies two relationships of statistical significance: (1) assault rate and well completion and (2) motor vehicle theft rate and well completion.