⚰️ US murders fell 21 percent – the largest drop ever recorded

• Murder rates in 35 large US cities dropped by 21 percent in 2025, the largest single-year decrease ever recorded.
• The murder rate was expected to land at approximately 4.0 per 100,000 residents, likely the lowest level since 1900.
• Eleven of thirteen tracked crime categories decreased compared to the previous year.

Several crime categories dropped sharply

US crime statistics showed a marked decline in violent crime. Data compiled by the Council on Criminal Justice showed that murders decreased by 21 percent in 35 large cities during 2025. It was the largest single-year decrease recorded in modern times.

Nine of the thirteen crime categories tracked decreased by ten percent or more. Aggravated assault cases fell by nine percent. Gun assaults dropped by 22 percent and robberies decreased by 23 percent.

The only category that increased was drug crimes, which rose by seven percent.

Denver and Washington topped the list

Of the 35 cities that reported murder statistics, 31 saw a decrease. Denver showed the largest decline with 41 percent fewer murders. Washington D.C. and Omaha, Nebraska followed closely with decreases of 40 percent each.

Little Rock, Arkansas was the city with the largest increase, with 16 percent more murders.

Historically low levels expected

When the FBI releases its finalized statistics for 2025 later this year, the national murder rate is expected to land near 4.0 per 100,000 residents. That would represent the lowest level since 1900.

Adam Gelb, president and CEO of the Council on Criminal Justice, noted that major changes in criminal justice policy, advances in crime-fighting technology, and economic and cultural changes were happening simultaneously. These factors could all contribute to the decrease.

The report did not include data from Jackson, Mississippi or Birmingham, Alabama. These two cities had the highest murder rates per 100,000 residents in 2024 according to FBI statistics.

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