Key facts
- Homicide rates in 30 U.S. cities have decreased by 18% in 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
- The report from the Council on Criminal Justice projects the annual homicide rate to be the lowest in over a century.
- Nine out of 13 tracked crime categories, including carjackings and burglaries, saw declines.
- Shoplifting, domestic violence, sexual assaults, and drug offenses experienced slight increases.
- Experts suggest broad, nationwide factors are responsible for the crime reduction, transcending specific local policies or political administrations.
Data from 30 American cities indicates an 18% decrease in the homicide rate from 2025 to 2026, potentially leading to the lowest annual homicide rate in over a century. The report by the Council on Criminal Justice, released Thursday, also found decreases in nine of the 13 tracked crime categories, including carjackings and residential burglaries. However, shoplifting, domestic violence, sexual assaults, and drug offenses saw slight increases. Experts suggest that broad, nationwide factors, rather than specific local policies or political leadership, are driving these positive trends. These factors may include decreased drug usage, leading to fewer violent incidents linked to illegal markets, and the impact of federal funding for post-pandemic social programming aimed at at-risk youth. While most cities saw declines, a minority experienced increases in homicides, with Norfolk, Virginia, and San Francisco showing significant rises. The report also noted a 23% drop in the lethality of violent crimes.