Teen births as a percent of total births declined from 11.2 percent in the region in 1992 to 10.7 percent in 1996. As a result, Greater Baltimore improved from 11th to 10th among the 20 regions for teen births. Boston had the lowest rate of teen births, while Greenville had the highest.

Greater Baltimore's total crime rate of 6,234.4 per 100,000 ranks the region 18th among the 20 metro areas; the same position it held in 1996. However, the rate declined from 7,026.9 in 1996. Charlotte dropped from 17th to 20th because its rate fell only slightly, while other metros dropped significantly.

Greater Baltimore remains the most violent metro area among the 20 compared with 1,064.9 violent crimes per 100,000 in 1998. However, this is an improvement over the 1,237.3 violent crimes per 100,000 figure reported in 1996. Denver and Austin had the lowest violent crime rates.

SOCIAL DISTRESS AND CRIME CHARTS

• Poverty, 1995
• Teen Births, 1992 and 1996
• Suicide Death Rates, 1996
• Total Crime, 1996 and 1998
• Violent Crime, 1996 and 1998
• Property Crime, 1996 and 1998