U.S. Crime Rates Decline for Second Consecutive Year in 2024
U.S. violent crime decreased 4.5% in 2024, marking the second consecutive annual decline. Murder rates dropped nearly 15%, and property crime fell 8%, per FBI data.
Violent crime dropped nearly 5% 2024, FBI report finds
World News Group
Violent crime in the US dropped 4.5% last year, FBI data shows
Associated Press
Overview
- Violent crime in the U.S. decreased by 4.5% in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of decline, according to recent FBI reports.
- Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter rates in the U.S. saw a significant drop of nearly 15% in 2024 compared to the previous year, based on FBI data.
- Property crime in the US also experienced a notable decrease of 8% last year, contributing to the overall positive trend in national crime statistics.
- Hate crimes in the U.S. saw a slight decline of 1.5% in 2024, indicating a minor reduction in bias-motivated offenses across the nation.
- Between 2021 and 2024, 322 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty, with 64 deaths reported in the last year alone.
Report issue
Read both sides in 5 minutes each day
Analysis
Center-leaning sources acknowledge the FBI's reported crime decrease, but collectively frame the narrative by tempering this positive news. They immediately introduce caveats like the continued high frequency of crime, increased assaults on officers, or historical context that lessens the impact of the decrease. One source also explicitly links the data to contradicting political claims.
"Statistics released by the FBI on Tuesday show that violent crime decreased overall in the U.S. by 4.5% in 2024."
NBC News"Violent crime decreased by 4.5% in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of decline."
USA TODAY"Violent crime in the United States fell 4.5% last year, according to a new FBI report, which also shows an 8% drop in property crime from the year before."
Associated PressArticles (7)
FAQ
The decline in violent crime rates in 2024 is attributed to multiple factors, including effective law enforcement efforts, community interventions, and broader social and economic trends. Data show that decreases in homicide, robbery, rape, and aggravated assault all contributed to the overall violent crime reduction. Additionally, some of the largest declines occurred in historically high homicide cities, bringing rates below pre-pandemic levels in many cases.
The 2024 crime trend shows a continuation of the decline that began after the pandemic's spike in 2020 and 2021. Violent crime and murder rates in 2024 dropped below pre-pandemic levels in most cities studied, with murder rates decreasing nearly 15% year over year and violent crime down 4.5%. This is a reversal from the elevated crime rates seen during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Property crime in the U.S. decreased by about 8% in 2024, contributing to an overall drop in crime rates. Early data from 2025 indicate that property crime may continue to fall, possibly reaching historic low levels according to ongoing crime monitoring data.
Hate crimes in the U.S. saw a slight decline of approximately 1.5% in 2024, indicating a minor reduction in bias-motivated offenses parallel to the broader declines in violent and property crimes for that year.
Between 2021 and 2024, a total of 322 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in the U.S., with 64 officer deaths occurring in 2024 alone, highlighting ongoing risks faced by police despite overall decreases in crime rates.
History
- 2d
3 articles