Crimes in the United States 2025
The landscape of crime in America continues to evolve, with 2024 marking a significant year of declining crime rates across the nation. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, the United States witnessed notable improvements in public safety metrics, challenging common perceptions about rising crime rates. This comprehensive analysis draws from the most recent federal crime statistics to provide an accurate picture of criminal activity nationwide.
Understanding crime trends in the US requires careful examination of both violent and property crimes, which together paint a complex portrait of American security challenges. The data reveals encouraging patterns in most categories, with murder rates experiencing their most substantial decline in recent years. These statistics serve as crucial indicators for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and communities working to enhance public safety across all demographics and geographic regions.
Interesting Crime Stats & Facts in the US
| Crime Fact | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Most Common Violent Crime | Aggravated Assault (71.3%) |
| Most Common Property Crime | Larceny-Theft (72.3%) |
| Weapon Used in Most Murders | Firearms (74.2%) |
| Highest Crime Clearance Rate | Murder (61.4%) |
| Most Common Murder Circumstance | Arguments (53.2%) |
| Gender of Most Murder Victims | Male (76.9%) |
| Most Common Shoplifting Crime | 29.4% of All Larceny-Thefts |
| Regional Murder Distribution | South (48.6%) |
| Motor Vehicle Type Most Stolen | Automobiles (80.4%) |
| Police Officers per Population | 2.3 per 1,000 Inhabitants |
The 2024 FBI’s crime data in the United States highlights notable trends in both violent and property offenses. Aggravated assault remains the most common violent crime, making up 71.3% of all reported violent incidents, while larceny-theft dominates property crime at 72.3%. Firearms continue to play a significant role in violent offenses, being used in 74.2% of all murders. Despite this, murder cases have the highest clearance rate among major crimes at 61.4%, suggesting relatively stronger investigative success compared to other categories. A striking insight is that over half of murders (53.2%) stem from arguments, reflecting the role of interpersonal disputes in violent outcomes. Gender disparities are also evident, with 76.9% of murder victims being male.
Property-related crimes also show concerning patterns, particularly in shoplifting, which accounts for 29.4% of all larceny-theft cases. Regionally, the South experiences the highest share of murders at 48.6%, underscoring geographical crime concentration. Vehicle theft data shows automobiles remain the primary target, representing 80.4% of stolen motor vehicles. Law enforcement presence is measured at 2.3 police officers per 1,000 inhabitants, which may impact both crime prevention and clearance rates. Overall, the figures reveal a combination of persistent crime types, regional disparities, and weapon-related violence that shape the nation’s criminal landscape in 2024.
Latest FBI’s Crime Statistics in the US
| Crime Category | 2024 Total | Rate per 100,000 | Change from 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crimes | 1,221,345 | 359.1 | -4.5% |
| Property Crimes | 5,986,400 | 1,760.1 | -8.1% |
| Murders | 16,935 | 5.0 | -14.9% |
| Rapes | 127,527 | 37.5 | -5.2% |
| Robberies | 205,952 | 60.6 | -8.9% |
| Aggravated Assaults | 870,931 | 256.1 | -3.0% |
| Burglaries | 779,542 | 229.1 | Not Specified |
| Larceny-Thefts | 4,326,531 | 1,272.1 | -5.5% |
| Motor Vehicle Thefts | 880,327 | 258.8 | -18.6% |
The 2024 crime statistics reveal a remarkable trend toward improved public safety across virtually every major category. Violent crimes decreased by 4.5% compared to 2023, representing 1,221,345 total incidents nationwide. This decline demonstrates the effectiveness of modern law enforcement strategies and community policing initiatives that have been implemented across the country. The violent crime rate of 359.1 per 100,000 inhabitants represents a 5.4% decrease from the previous year.
Property crimes experienced an even more dramatic reduction of 8.1%, totaling 5,986,400 incidents in 2024. The most encouraging development was the 14.9% decrease in murders, bringing the national total to 16,935 cases. Long-term trends show violent crime was 5.5% below 2020 levels and 0.7% below 2015 levels, while property crime decreased 24.7% compared to 2015 and 9.6% below 2020 estimates.
Murder Rates in the US 2024
| Murder Statistics | 2024 Data |
|---|---|
| Total Murders | 16,935 |
| Murder Rate per 100,000 | 5.0 |
| Change from 2023 | -14.9% |
| Change from 2020 | -23.0% |
| Male Victims | 76.9% |
| Firearms Used | 74.2% |
| Arguments as Cause | 53.2% |
| Single Victim/Single Offender | 54.0% |
| Murders by Acquaintances | 30.0% |
| Justifiable Homicides | 788 |
Murder rates in the United States reached encouraging levels in 2024, with 16,935 total murders representing a murder rate of 5.0 per 100,000 inhabitants. This marks a significant 14.9% decrease from 2023 and an impressive 23.0% decrease from 2020 figures. However, the data shows a 6.8% increase from 2015 levels. The murder rate declined 15.8% from 2023 and 25.4% from 2020, though it remained 0.9% higher than 2015.
The demographic breakdown reveals that 76.9% of murder victims were male among the 15,795 victims for whom supplemental data was available. Firearms were involved in 74.2% of murders, while arguments accounted for 53.2% of cases where circumstances were known. Single victim/single offender scenarios comprised 54.0% of cases, and 30.0% of victims were killed by acquaintances. Law enforcement reported 788 justifiable homicides, including 356 by police officers and 432 by private citizens.
Violent Crime Trends in the US 2024
| Violent Crime Type | 2024 Total | Percentage of Violent Crime | Clearance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggravated Assault | 870,931 | 71.3% | 49.1% |
| Robbery | 205,952 | 16.9% | 30.4% |
| Rape | 127,527 | 10.4% | 27.2% |
| Murder | 16,935 | 1.4% | 61.4% |
| Total Violent Crimes | 1,221,345 | 100% | 43.8% |
| Firearm Usage in Robberies | 32.1% | – | – |
| Firearm Usage in Assaults | 32.8% | – | – |
| Strong-arm Robbery Tactics | 47.0% | – | – |
| Personal Weapons in Assaults | 20.7% | – | – |
Violent crime trends in the United States during 2024 demonstrate encouraging progress, with aggravated assault comprising 71.3% of all violent crimes. The total of 1,221,345 violent crimes represents a 4.5% decrease from 2023. Aggravated assaults numbered 870,931, showing a 3.0% decrease from 2023 but a 14.0% increase from 2015. The aggravated assault rate of 256.1 per 100,000 inhabitants increased 7.8% from 2015 to 2024.
Robbery incidents totaled 205,952, accounting for 16.9% of violent crimes with a rate of 60.6 per 100,000 inhabitants. Robberies decreased 8.9% from 2023, 12.7% from 2020, and dramatically 36.7% from 2015. Rape cases numbered 127,527, representing 10.4% of violent crimes with a 5.2% decrease from 2023. Weapon usage patterns show strong-arm tactics dominated robberies at 47.0%, while firearms were used in 32.1% of robberies and 32.8% of aggravated assaults.
Property Crime Statistics in the US 2024
| Property Crime Type | 2024 Total | Percentage of Property Crime | Rate per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larceny-Theft | 4,326,531 | 72.3% | 1,272.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 880,327 | 14.7% | 258.8 |
| Burglary | 779,542 | 13.0% | Not Specified |
| Arson | 33,689 | Not Specified | 10.7 |
| Total Property Crimes | 5,986,400 | 100% | 1,760.1 |
| Residential Burglaries | 52.1% | – | – |
| Shoplifting Cases | 29.4% of Larceny | – | – |
| Automobile Thefts | 80.4% of Vehicle Theft | – | – |
| Forcible Entry Burglaries | 55.4% | – | – |
Property crime statistics in the United States for 2024 show substantial improvements across categories, with total incidents declining 8.1% to 5,986,400 cases. The property crime rate of 1,760.1 per 100,000 inhabitants decreased 9.0% from 2023, 9.6% from 2020, and 28.9% from 2015. Larceny-theft dominated at 72.3% with 4,326,531 incidents and a rate of 1,272.1 per 100,000, showing a 5.5% decrease from 2023.
Motor vehicle theft accounted for 14.7% with 880,327 reported cases at a rate of 258.8 per 100,000. Vehicle thefts decreased 18.6% from 2023 but increased 8.9% from 2020 and 24.3% from 2015. Burglary cases totaled 779,542, representing 13.0% of property crimes with 23.5% decrease from 2020 and 50.5% decrease from 2015. Arson cases numbered 33,689 with a rate of 10.7 per 100,000, showing a 7.5% decrease from 2023.
Crime Clearance Rates in the US 2024
| Crime Category | Clearance Rate | Investigation Success |
|---|---|---|
| Murder | 61.4% | Highest Success Rate |
| Aggravated Assault | 49.1% | Strong Performance |
| Robbery | 30.4% | Moderate Success |
| Rape | 27.2% | Challenging Cases |
| Overall Violent Crime | 43.8% | Above Average |
| Larceny-Theft | 17.3% | Volume Challenge |
| Burglary | 15.2% | Evidence Issues |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 9.2% | Lowest Success |
| Overall Property Crime | 15.9% | Below Average |
| Arson | 28.1% | Specialized Cases |
Crime clearance rates in the United States during 2024 demonstrate the varying challenges law enforcement faces across different offense categories. Murder investigations achieved the highest success rate at 61.4%, reflecting intensive resources dedicated to homicide cases. Aggravated assault cases maintained a strong clearance rate of 49.1%, while rape investigations cleared 27.2% and robbery cases achieved 30.4% clearance rates.
Property crime clearance rates remained significantly lower, with overall property crime clearance at 15.9%. Larceny-theft cases achieved a 17.3% clearance rate despite representing the highest volume of reported crimes. Motor vehicle theft presented the greatest challenge with only 9.2% clearance, often due to rapid transportation across jurisdictions. Burglary investigations cleared 15.2% of cases, while arson cases achieved a 28.1% clearance rate. Overall violent crime clearance reached 43.8%, nearly three times higher than property crime clearance rates.
Law Enforcement Employment in the US 2024
| Employment Category | 2024 Statistics |
|---|---|
| Reporting Agencies | 14,917 |
| Sworn Officers per 1,000 Residents | 2.3 |
| Total Employees per 1,000 Residents | 3.4 |
| Sworn Officer Percentage | 68.8% |
| Small City Officer Rate | 4.5 per 1,000 |
| County Agency Rate | 2.6 per 1,000 |
| Total Arrests Made | 7,522,824 |
| Violent Crime Arrests | 419,423 |
| Property Crime Arrests | 910,654 |
| Drug Violation Arrests | 822,488 |
Law enforcement employment in the United States during 2024 involved 14,917 city and county agencies providing staffing data. The national average of 2.3 sworn officers per 1,000 inhabitants represents core law enforcement capacity, while total employment including civilian personnel reached 3.4 per 1,000 residents. Sworn officers comprised 68.8% of all law enforcement personnel, indicating substantial civilian support roles in modern policing.
Geographic variations show small cities with fewer than 10,000 residents maintaining 4.5 officers per 1,000 inhabitants, the highest ratio among population groups. County agencies averaged 2.6 officers per 1,000 residents. Law enforcement made 7,522,824 total arrests in 2024, with an arrest rate of 2,202.5 per 100,000 inhabitants. Drug abuse violations led arrests at 822,488, followed by driving under the influence at 804,926 and larceny-theft at 725,109.
Regional Crime Distribution in the US 2024
| US Region | Murder Percentage | Crime Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| South | 48.6% | Highest Murder Rate |
| West | 21.0% | Second Highest |
| Midwest | 20.3% | Moderate Levels |
| Northeast | 10.2% | Lowest Murder Rate |
| Male Offenders | 87.6% | Gender Distribution |
| Black Offenders | 56.4% | Known Race Cases |
| White Offenders | 40.8% | Known Race Cases |
| Unknown Offender Race | 4,570 Cases | Investigation Challenges |
| Black Victims | 51.6% | Racial Distribution |
| White Victims | 42.8% | Racial Distribution |
Regional crime distribution in the United States reveals significant geographic variations, with the South accounting for 48.6% of all murders reported in 2024. The West region contributed 21.0% of murder cases, while the Midwest recorded 20.3% and the Northeast maintained the lowest rate at 10.2%. These regional differences reflect complex socioeconomic factors and population density variations across the country.
Demographic analysis shows 87.6% of known offenders were male, consistent with historical patterns. Racial distribution among known offenders indicates 56.4% were Black or African American and 40.8% were White, though race remained unknown for 4,570 offenders. Among victims, 51.6% were Black or African American, 42.8% were White, and 2.9% were of other races. Victim-offender relationships remained unknown in 46.2% of murder cases, with 30.0% killed by acquaintances, 13.9% by family members, and 10.0% by strangers.
Arrest Demographics in the US 2024
| Demographic Category | 2024 Percentage |
|---|---|
| Male Arrestees | 72.5% |
| Female Arrestees | 27.5% |
| Male Violent Crime Arrests | 78.7% |
| Male Property Crime Arrests | 65.6% |
| White Arrestees | 65.5% |
| Black Arrestees | 30.5% |
| Other Race Arrestees | 4.1% |
| Juvenile Arrest Decline | -6.5% |
| Adult Arrest Decline | -1.0% |
| Violent Crime Arrest Decline | -5.2% |
Arrest demographics in the United States for 2024 demonstrate consistent patterns across gender and racial categories. Male arrestees comprised 72.5% of all arrests nationwide, with males accounting for 78.7% of violent crime arrests and 65.6% of property crime arrests. This gender distribution reflects long-standing criminological patterns observed across multiple decades.
Racial demographics among arrestees show 65.5% were White, 30.5% were Black or African American, and 4.1% represented other racial categories. Juvenile arrests decreased by 6.5% compared to 2023, while adult arrests declined by 1.0%. Violent crime arrests decreased 5.2% from 2023, while property crime arrests increased 2.9%. The violent crime arrest rate was 124.5 per 100,000 inhabitants, while property crime arrest rate reached 269.7 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Arson Statistics in the US 2024
| Arson Category | 2024 Data |
|---|---|
| Total Arson Cases | 33,689 |
| Expanded Data Cases | 32,040 |
| Rate per 100,000 | 10.7 |
| Change from 2023 | -7.5% |
| Structure Arsons | 34.5% |
| Mobile Property Arsons | 20.0% |
| Other Property Arsons | 45.5% |
| Clearance Rate | 28.1% |
Arson statistics in the United States during 2024 show 33,689 reported arson cases across law enforcement agencies providing 6 to 12 months of data. This represents a rate of 10.7 arson offenses per 100,000 inhabitants and a 7.5% decrease compared to 2023 figures. Participating agencies provided expanded offense data for 32,040 arsons, offering detailed insights into the nature and targets of these crimes.
Property type analysis reveals that structures accounted for 34.5% of all arson offenses, including residential, storage, and public buildings. Mobile property was involved in 20.0% of arson cases, while other types of property such as crops, timber, and fences comprised 45.5% of reported incidents. Arson investigations achieved a 28.1% clearance rate, reflecting the specialized nature of fire investigation techniques and the challenges investigators face in determining the origin and cause of suspicious fires.
Disclaimer: The data research report we present here is based on information found from various sources. We are not liable for any financial loss, errors, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of the information herein. We acknowledge that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented.
