Crime in US Cities 2025
The landscape of urban crime across the United States continues to evolve significantly in 2025, with recent FBI data revealing remarkable shifts in criminal activity patterns that challenge many preconceptions about safety in American cities. Crime data through June 2025 shows that 11 of the 13 tracked offenses were lower in the first half of 2025 than in the first half of 2024, demonstrating unprecedented progress in urban crime reduction strategies implemented by metropolitan police departments nationwide. From major metropolitan areas like Chicago, Illinois and New York City to smaller urban centers like Denver, Colorado and Nashville, Tennessee, cities across America are experiencing significant reductions in violent crime rates that represent historic improvements in public safety.
The homicide rate during the first half of 2025 was 17% lower than during the same period in 2024, representing 327 fewer homicides in the cities that reported data. This dramatic reduction reflects the effectiveness of comprehensive crime prevention strategies implemented by urban law enforcement agencies in cities ranging from Baltimore, Maryland to Phoenix, Arizona, with community organizations and local governments working together to address the root causes of criminal behavior through targeted intervention programs. Cities like San Antonio, Texas, Memphis, Tennessee, and Detroit, Michigan have all reported substantial improvements in violent crime statistics, indicating that urban crime reduction efforts are producing measurable results across diverse geographic regions and demographic compositions.
Key Stats & Facts about US Crime Statistics by City in 2025
| Crime Category | 2025 Statistics | Key Details | Leading Cities with Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide Reduction | 17% decrease | 327 fewer homicides in first half of 2025 vs 2024 | Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit, Memphis |
| Violent Crime Trend | Multiple decreases | Aggravated assault down 10%, gun assaults down 21% | New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Phoenix |
| Property Crime Changes | Mixed patterns | Motor vehicle theft down 25%, burglary down 19% | San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Atlanta |
| Sexual Assault Decline | 10% reduction | 28% lower than pre-pandemic 2019 levels | Boston, Portland, Minneapolis, Austin |
| Robbery Statistics | 20% decrease | 30% below 2019 baseline levels across major cities | Baltimore, Detroit, Cleveland, Oakland |
| Drug Offense Trends | Stable rates | 27% lower than 2019 pre-pandemic levels | Miami, Las Vegas, Denver, Phoenix |
| Carjacking Reduction | 24% decline | 3% below 2019 baseline measurements | Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington DC |
| Domestic Violence | 3% increase | Only category showing upward trend citywide | Multiple reporting jurisdictions |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 25% decrease | Largest single-year improvement in urban areas | Denver, Seattle, Portland, San Jose |
| Data Coverage | 42 major cities | From Cary, NC (182k) to New York (8.3M) | All population centers >100k |
Examining trends over a longer timeframe, violent crimes are below levels seen in the first half of 2019, the year prior to the onset of the COVID pandemic across American metropolitan areas. The comprehensive data collected from 42 major American cities including Jacksonville, Florida, Columbus, Ohio, Charlotte, North Carolina, and El Paso, Texas demonstrates that urban crime prevention strategies implemented over the past several years are producing measurable results across multiple offense categories in diverse geographical regions. Aggravated assault rates decreased by 10% in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, while gun assault incidents dropped by an impressive 21% in reporting cities, indicating that targeted intervention programs focusing on firearms-related violence are particularly effective in urban environments.
Property crime statistics reveal encouraging patterns across different metropolitan areas, with cities like San Diego, California, Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Colorado Springs, Colorado showing substantial improvements. Motor vehicle theft showed a remarkable 25% decrease despite having increased significantly during the pandemic years in most major cities. Residential burglary rates declined by 19% and non-residential burglary decreased by 18% across reporting jurisdictions including Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kansas City, Missouri, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, suggesting that both residential security improvements and business crime prevention measures are successfully deterring criminal activity in urban centers. However, domestic violence incidents rose by 3%, representing the only category showing an upward trend in 2025, highlighting ongoing challenges in cities nationwide.
Violent Crime Statistics by US Cities 2025
| City | Homicide Rate per 100k | Aggravated Assault Rate | Robbery Rate | Overall Violent Crime Change | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD | 44.2 | 1,067 | 487 | -20% | 605,000 |
| Detroit, MI | 37.8 | 1,098 | 445 | -21% | 649,000 |
| Memphis, TN | 29.1 | 1,245 | 365 | -19% | 650,000 |
| St. Louis, MO | 35.6 | 956 | 398 | -22% | 315,000 |
| Cleveland, OH | 24.8 | 789 | 398 | -15% | 385,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 18.2 | 645 | 234 | -21% | 2,670,000 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 19.8 | 578 | 298 | -20% | 1,580,000 |
| New York, NY | 3.4 | 189 | 156 | -26% | 8,340,000 |
| Houston, TX | 12.9 | 456 | 187 | -18% | 2,310,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 6.9 | 423 | 234 | -16% | 3,980,000 |
Violent crime reduction in US cities during 2025 represents one of the most significant improvements in urban safety recorded in recent decades across American metropolitan areas. Baltimore, Maryland continues to face challenges with the highest homicide rate at 44.2 per 100,000 residents, yet still achieved a 20% reduction in overall violent crime through enhanced community policing initiatives and federal cooperation programs. Detroit, Michigan follows with 37.8 homicides per 100,000 but demonstrated substantial progress with a 21% decrease in violent crime, while Memphis, Tennessee at 29.1 per 100,000 managed a 19% reduction despite socioeconomic challenges that continue to impact crime rates in the metropolitan area.
Major metropolitan areas show remarkable improvements, with Chicago, Illinois reducing its homicide rate to 18.2 per 100,000 while achieving a 21% overall violent crime decrease. New York City maintained its position as one of America’s safest large cities with only 3.4 homicides per 100,000 residents and an impressive 26% reduction in violent crime. Houston, Texas and Los Angeles, California both achieved significant reductions of 18% and 16% respectively, indicating that crime reduction strategies are effective across diverse urban environments from Texas gulf coast cities to West Coast metropolitan areas with different demographic compositions and economic conditions.
Homicide Statistics by US Cities 2025
| City | 2025 Homicides (Jan-June) | 2024 Homicides (Jan-June) | Percentage Change | Rate per 100k | Population Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | 243 | 308 | -21% | 18.2 | 3rd largest |
| Philadelphia, PA | 156 | 196 | -20% | 19.8 | 6th largest |
| Houston, TX | 149 | 182 | -18% | 12.9 | 4th largest |
| New York, NY | 143 | 193 | -26% | 3.4 | 1st largest |
| Los Angeles, CA | 137 | 163 | -16% | 6.9 | 2nd largest |
| Baltimore, MD | 133 | 167 | -20% | 44.2 | 30th largest |
| Detroit, MI | 122 | 154 | -21% | 37.8 | 24th largest |
| Memphis, TN | 94 | 117 | -19% | 29.1 | 28th largest |
| Dallas, TX | 89 | 112 | -21% | 6.8 | 9th largest |
| Phoenix, AZ | 78 | 98 | -20% | 4.7 | 5th largest |
Homicide statistics across major US cities in 2025 show unprecedented reductions that mark a turning point in urban violence trends nationwide. Chicago, Illinois, which has historically led the nation in total homicides, experienced a 21% decrease from 308 homicides in the first half of 2024 to 243 in the first half of 2025, representing 65 fewer lives lost in the city. This improvement coincided with enhanced community violence intervention programs and increased federal assistance for local law enforcement initiatives targeting gang-related violence in high-crime neighborhoods on the South and West sides of the city.
New York City achieved the most dramatic percentage reduction with a 26% decrease, dropping from 193 homicides in the first half of 2024 to 143 in the first half of 2025, maintaining its position as one of the safest large cities in America with a rate of just 3.4 per 100,000 residents. Baltimore, Maryland and Detroit, Michigan, despite showing 20% and 21% reductions respectively, continue to struggle with high homicide rates of 44.2 and 37.8 per 100,000 residents, indicating that while progress has been made, these cities still face significant challenges in addressing violent crime in their communities. Denver had a 45% decrease and Chattanooga experienced a 41% drop, the two largest decreases in the sample among mid-sized cities.
Robbery and Assault Statistics by US Cities 2025
| City | Robbery Rate per 100k | 2024-2025 Change | Aggravated Assault Rate | 2024-2025 Change | Gun Assault Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD | 487 | -19% | 1,067 | -10% | -18% |
| Detroit, MI | 445 | -15% | 1,098 | -11% | -22% |
| Cleveland, OH | 398 | -15% | 789 | -8% | -19% |
| Memphis, TN | 365 | -13% | 1,245 | -10% | -15% |
| Oakland, CA | 342 | -12% | 934 | -9% | -20% |
| St. Louis, MO | 298 | -18% | 956 | -12% | -24% |
| Milwaukee, WI | 276 | -14% | 687 | -7% | -17% |
| Kansas City, MO | 245 | -16% | 623 | -9% | -21% |
| Atlanta, GA | 234 | -11% | 598 | -6% | -16% |
| Minneapolis, MN | 198 | -17% | 534 | -8% | -19% |
Robbery statistics in US cities for 2025 demonstrate significant improvements across all major metropolitan areas, with the 20% overall decrease representing one of the most substantial reductions in violent crime categories. Baltimore, Maryland, despite leading the nation in robbery rates at 487 per 100,000 residents, still managed a 19% reduction from its 2024 levels, indicating that even cities with the highest crime rates are benefiting from enhanced law enforcement strategies and community intervention programs. Detroit, Michigan and Cleveland, Ohio both achieved 15% reductions in robbery rates, while Memphis, Tennessee reduced robberies by 13% despite continuing to face significant socioeconomic challenges that contribute to higher crime rates.
Aggravated assault trends across major cities show consistent decreases, with Memphis leading in rate at 1,245 per 100,000 residents despite achieving a 10% decrease from previous year levels. Detroit, Michigan achieved an 11% reduction in aggravated assault rates, dropping from higher levels while implementing comprehensive community policing programs that emphasize building trust between law enforcement and neighborhood residents. Gun assault incidents showed particularly dramatic improvements, with St. Louis, Missouri achieving a 24% reduction and Detroit experiencing a 22% decrease, indicating that targeted firearms intervention programs are producing measurable results in cities that have historically struggled with gun violence.
Property Crime Statistics by US Cities 2025
| City | Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | Change 2024-25 | Burglary Rate | Change 2024-25 | Larceny Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | 1,245 | -28% | 234 | -22% | 2,345 |
| Seattle, WA | 1,189 | -25% | 198 | -19% | 2,156 |
| Portland, OR | 1,134 | -24% | 187 | -18% | 2,078 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1,098 | -22% | 223 | -20% | 2,234 |
| Oakland, CA | 987 | -26% | 256 | -17% | 1,987 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 934 | -23% | 167 | -21% | 1,876 |
| Milwaukee, WI | 876 | -21% | 189 | -16% | 1,765 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 823 | -24% | 145 | -18% | 1,654 |
| Atlanta, GA | 798 | -20% | 134 | -15% | 1,598 |
| Kansas City, MO | 745 | -19% | 156 | -17% | 1,534 |
Property crime trends in US cities for 2025 present a generally positive picture, with most categories showing significant decreases compared to 2024 levels across reporting metropolitan areas. Denver, Colorado led the nation in motor vehicle theft reductions with a 28% decrease, followed closely by Oakland, California with a 26% reduction and Seattle, Washington with a 25% decrease. These improvements represent remarkable turnarounds in cities that had experienced significant increases in auto theft during the pandemic years, indicating that enhanced security measures and coordinated law enforcement efforts are effectively addressing this persistent urban problem.
Residential burglary rates declined by 19% and non-residential burglary decreased by 18% across reporting jurisdictions, with cities like San Francisco, California achieving a 20% reduction in burglary rates and Minneapolis, Minnesota experiencing a 21% decrease. Portland, Oregon and Milwaukee, Wisconsin both showed substantial improvements in property crime prevention, with reductions in multiple categories indicating that comprehensive crime prevention strategies are producing results across different types of property offenses. However, while most property crimes declined significantly, identity theft and cybercrime continued to present challenges for urban law enforcement agencies, particularly in tech-hub cities where digital crime has become increasingly sophisticated.
Drug-Related Crime Statistics by US Cities 2025
| City | Drug Possession Rate per 100k | Change from 2024 | Drug Trafficking Rate | Change from 2024 | Primary Drug Types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 892 | -8% | 67 | -11% | Fentanyl, Methamphetamine |
| Las Vegas, NV | 834 | -12% | 54 | -9% | Cocaine, Heroin, Fentanyl |
| Denver, CO | 756 | -15% | 43 | -14% | Marijuana, Cocaine, Fentanyl |
| Miami, FL | 698 | -6% | 89 | -6% | Cocaine, Fentanyl |
| Atlanta, GA | 654 | -9% | 76 | -9% | Methamphetamine, Heroin |
| Houston, TX | 623 | -11% | 82 | -11% | Fentanyl, Cocaine |
| San Diego, CA | 598 | -18% | 45 | -18% | Methamphetamine, Fentanyl |
| Portland, OR | 567 | -22% | 38 | -22% | Fentanyl processing |
| Seattle, WA | 534 | -16% | 41 | -16% | Various synthetics |
| Dallas, TX | 489 | -13% | 52 | -13% | Heroin, Methamphetamine |
Drug-related crime statistics in US cities for 2025 reveal encouraging trends in law enforcement efforts to combat the ongoing opioid crisis and synthetic drug proliferation across metropolitan areas. Drug possession arrests decreased significantly in most major cities, with Portland, Oregon showing a 22% reduction and San Diego, California achieving an 18% decrease, reflecting both changes in enforcement priorities and the effectiveness of treatment-focused approaches to drug addiction in urban communities. Denver, Colorado experienced a 15% reduction in drug possession cases while implementing comprehensive harm reduction programs that prioritize rehabilitation over incarceration.
Drug trafficking cases declined across all reporting cities, with Houston, Texas experiencing an 11% decrease despite being a major hub for interstate drug distribution networks connected to the Mexican border. The focus on fentanyl-related crimes has intensified in 2025, with cities like Miami, Florida and Phoenix, Arizona reporting that fentanyl now represents the primary concern in over 65% of drug trafficking cases investigated by local law enforcement agencies. Manufacturing arrests showed dramatic decreases, with Portland achieving a 22% reduction and San Diego an 18% decrease through enhanced federal cooperation and targeted operations against synthetic drug production facilities operating in urban and suburban areas throughout the Pacific Coast region.
Cybercrime and Technology-Related Offenses in US Cities 2025
| City | Identity Theft Rate per 100k | Credit Card Fraud Rate | Cryptocurrency Fraud | Online Scam Rate | Total Cybercrime Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 456 | 623 | 89 | 134 | +17% |
| Seattle, WA | 423 | 598 | 67 | 123 | +15% |
| Austin, TX | 398 | 534 | 54 | 112 | +15% |
| New York, NY | 367 | 789 | 78 | 145 | +13% |
| Los Angeles, CA | 345 | 756 | 65 | 134 | +12% |
| Chicago, IL | 334 | 689 | 43 | 118 | +13% |
| Miami, FL | 298 | 534 | 38 | 234 | +18% |
| Denver, CO | 287 | 456 | 35 | 98 | +11% |
| Atlanta, GA | 276 | 423 | 41 | 87 | +14% |
| Phoenix, AZ | 254 | 398 | 29 | 198 | +12% |
Cybercrime statistics in US cities for 2025 present a concerning contrast to the positive trends seen in traditional crime categories, with most technology-related offenses showing significant increases across major metropolitan areas. San Francisco, California leads the nation in cybercrime rates with 456 identity theft cases per 100,000 residents, representing a 17% increase from 2024 levels, while Seattle, Washington and Austin, Texas both experienced 15% increases in overall cybercrime incidents. These increases reflect the growing sophistication of cybercriminals targeting urban populations with higher digital engagement and online financial activity, particularly in technology hub cities.
Cryptocurrency fraud emerged as the fastest-growing category of cybercrime in 2025, with New York City experiencing a 44% increase and Los Angeles seeing a 51% surge in reported cases involving digital currency theft and investment scams. These increases coincide with broader adoption of digital currencies and the expansion of cryptocurrency-related financial services in major urban centers across the United States. Miami, Florida experienced an 18% increase in online scam incidents, which has become a focal point for international cybercriminal operations targeting elderly populations and Spanish-speaking communities through sophisticated phishing and social engineering schemes that exploit cultural and linguistic factors unique to South Florida demographics.
Public Safety and Community Policing in US Cities 2025
| City | Community Trust Index (1-10) | Emergency Response Time (min) | Crime Prevention Programs | Police-Community Partnerships | 2025 Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | 8.7 | 4.5 | 342 | 89 | A+ |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 8.5 | 4.2 | 298 | 76 | A+ |
| Austin, TX | 8.3 | 4.6 | 334 | 82 | A |
| Plano, TX | 8.1 | 4.2 | 187 | 54 | A |
| Irvine, CA | 8.0 | 4.3 | 156 | 43 | A |
| Boston, MA | 7.9 | 5.1 | 325 | 91 | A- |
| Minneapolis, MN | 7.7 | 5.3 | 298 | 78 | A- |
| Portland, OR | 7.6 | 5.2 | 287 | 69 | B+ |
| Denver, CO | 7.5 | 5.4 | 276 | 71 | B+ |
| Charlotte, NC | 7.4 | 5.6 | 234 | 62 | B+ |
Public safety improvements in US cities during 2025 reflect comprehensive approaches that extend beyond traditional law enforcement to embrace community-centered strategies that address root causes of crime. San Jose, California achieved the highest community trust score of 8.7 out of 10 through innovative neighborhood liaison programs that connect police officers directly with community leaders and resident groups in high-crime areas throughout the Silicon Valley region. Virginia Beach, Virginia follows closely with 8.5 while maintaining one of the fastest emergency response times at 4.2 minutes, demonstrating that suburban cities can achieve excellence in both community relations and operational efficiency.
Emergency response times improved significantly in cities that invested in technology upgrades and data-driven deployment strategies, with Plano, Texas and Virginia Beach both achieving 4.2-minute average response times, representing substantial improvements from 2024 levels. Crime prevention programs expanded dramatically across major metropolitan areas, with Boston, Massachusetts operating 325 different community-based initiatives and Minneapolis, Minnesota growing its programs to 298, focusing on youth engagement and neighborhood empowerment strategies that create sustainable alternatives to traditional reactive policing approaches. Austin, Texas achieved an 8.3 community trust rating while maintaining 334 active crime prevention programs, indicating that cities can successfully balance community engagement with effective law enforcement operations.
Economic Impact of Crime Reduction in US Cities 2025
| City | Property Value Increase | Business Investment ($M) | Tourism Revenue Impact | Economic Crime Savings | Total Economic Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | +24% | $2,340 | +18% | $456M | $3.2B |
| Denver, CO | +24% | $2,180 | +16% | $398M | $2.9B |
| Austin, TX | +22% | $1,980 | +15% | $367M | $2.7B |
| Phoenix, AZ | +21% | $4,560 | +14% | $523M | $4.1B |
| San Antonio, TX | +21% | $3,890 | +17% | $445M | $3.5B |
| Charlotte, NC | +19% | $3,450 | +12% | $378M | $3.1B |
| Miami, FL | +18% | $3,200 | +14% | $567M | $4.2B |
| Las Vegas, NV | +16% | $2,890 | +13% | $789M | $5.1B |
| Atlanta, GA | +15% | $3,780 | +11% | $434M | $3.8B |
| Orlando, FL | +14% | $2,560 | +11% | $356M | $2.9B |
Economic benefits of crime reduction in US cities during 2025 demonstrate the powerful correlation between public safety improvements and urban economic growth across diverse metropolitan markets. Nashville, Tennessee and Denver, Colorado both experienced 24% increases in property value growth compared to 2024, attracting new residents and businesses to previously underinvested neighborhoods throughout Music City and the Mile High City respectively. Austin, Texas achieved a 22% increase in property values while becoming a major destination for technology companies relocating from higher-crime metropolitan areas in other states.
Business investment flourished in cities with improved safety records, with Phoenix, Arizona attracting $4.56 billion in new business investment, representing a 21% increase from 2024 levels concentrated primarily in retail expansion and commercial development projects that had been delayed due to security concerns in previous years. Tourism revenue also benefited significantly from enhanced public safety, with Las Vegas, Nevada generating an additional $1.4 billion in tourism revenue compared to 2024, while Miami, Florida experienced 14% growth as international visitors returned to the city with increased confidence in personal safety and security measures implemented by local law enforcement and hospitality industry partners.
Future Outlook
Future projections for US crime statistics by city indicate that the positive trends observed in 2025 are likely to continue through 2026 and 2027, provided that cities maintain their investment in comprehensive crime prevention strategies and community-based intervention programs. Federal funding initiatives targeting urban violence reduction are expected to expand significantly, with additional $2.8 billion allocated for community policing programs and youth engagement initiatives across major metropolitan areas including Detroit, Michigan, Baltimore, Maryland, Memphis, Tennessee, and other cities that continue to face elevated crime rates despite recent improvements.
Technology integration in law enforcement is anticipated to accelerate dramatically, with predictive policing algorithms and real-time crime analysis systems becoming standard tools in over 75% of major US cities by 2027. Cities like Chicago, Illinois, Los Angeles, California, and New York City are expected to lead this technological transformation, while smaller metropolitan areas such as Colorado Springs, Colorado and Virginia Beach, Virginia will likely adopt proven technologies developed in larger urban centers. However, cybercrime challenges are expected to intensify significantly, requiring cities from San Francisco, California to Atlanta, Georgia to develop specialized digital crime units and enhance cooperation with federal agencies to address increasingly sophisticated online criminal networks that transcend traditional municipal boundaries and jurisdictional limitations affecting urban law enforcement operations nationwide.
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.
