The FBI reported that the U.S. violent crime rate decreased by 9.7% in 2025, marking the largest annual drop since the agency began its national estimates in 1936. This data was released on August 18, 2026. The report indicates that declines in violent crime were observed across various community sizes nationwide. Specific reductions included an 18.1% drop in murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, an 18.5% decrease in robbery, a 7.6% decline in rape, and a 7.2% reduction in aggravated assault. The murder rate fell to 4.1 per 100,000 residents, the lowest since the FBI started tracking these statistics.
Property crime also saw a decline of 12.4%, with motor vehicle theft down by 22.7%, burglary by 15.8%, and larceny-theft by 9.8%. The report noted that the decline in crime was widespread, affecting all population groups, including large cities, small cities, suburbs, and rural areas. Cities with populations between 500,000 and 999,999 experienced the largest decrease at 15.3%.
The report is the FBI's final assessment for 2025, based on data submitted by 17,075 law enforcement agencies, covering over 96% of the U.S. population. However, the national figures remain statistical estimates due to missing data. The report also suggests that the overall decline in crime cannot be attributed to any single president, policing strategy, or local policy, as the decrease began in 2022 and has continued into 2025.