Murders in the United States experienced a significant decline of more than 20% in 2025 compared to the previous year, marking the largest one-year drop on record. According to a study published by the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ), this may lead to the lowest murder rate in the country since 1900.
The annual crime trends report examined data from 40 major cities across the nation, covering 13 different types of crimes, including homicide, carjacking, theft, and drug offenses. Alongside the drop in homicides, there was a remarkable 61% decrease in carjackings compared to 2023, and shoplifting saw a 10% decline since 2024. Overall, the analysis indicated a general reduction in the crime rate, with violent crimes now at levels similar to those seen in 2019. However, drug offenses were the only categories to show an increase, while rates of sexual assault remained unchanged.
Researchers acknowledged that while multiple factors may have contributed to this steep drop in homicide rates, pinpointing their exact influence remains challenging. Ernesto Lopez, the lead author of the report, expressed that while the decline in violent crime is encouraging, homicide rates have been on a steady decline since the late 2000s, particularly after a significant spike in 2020.
The data highlighted that homicide rates decreased by 25% in 2025 compared to 2019, with declines observed in 27 out of the 35 cities surveyed. Notable reductions were reported in cities such as Richmond, Virginia, where homicides fell by 59%, Los Angeles with a 39% decrease, and New York City, which saw a 10% drop. Some cities managed to keep homicide rates stable, while a few recorded reductions of less than 5%.
In Atlanta, Police Chief Darren Schierbaum announced a dramatic decrease in shootings, celebrating the city’s return to under 100 homicides for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The CCJ data showed a 14% decline in Atlanta’s murder rate in 2025 from the previous year. Schierbaum noted that many of the homicides stemmed from “escalating disputes” and urged the community to focus on conflict resolution.
The CCJ convened a group of criminal justice experts who offered varied perspectives on the factors behind the homicide decline. However, there was a consensus regarding the impact of returning stability to community routines, the influx of COVID-19 relief funds, and specific intervention programs as vital contributors. Thaddeus Johnson, a criminal justice expert, stressed that many cities focused on enforcement and prevention measures in the neighborhoods most affected by violence, enhancing shooting investigations, and resuming court operations. He highlighted the return of informal guardianship within communities, where bystanders help defuse potential conflicts.
Despite the overall encouraging trends, Johnson cautioned that national averages may obscure different realities in specific neighborhoods, emphasizing the importance of identifying which areas are sustaining these gains and which are not. This detailed analysis provides a comprehensive insight into the current state of crime in the United States, shedding light on both the successes and challenges that lie ahead in maintaining community safety.