WASHINGTON — Violent crime and murder in the United States declined sharply in 2025, with new FBI data showing the largest year-over-year reductions recorded since the agency began producing national crime estimates.
According to the FBI’s latest Uniform Crime Report, the estimated violent crime rate fell 9.3% compared with 2024. The estimated rate of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter dropped even more significantly, declining 18.1%.
The FBI said the reductions represent the biggest annual declines in both categories since its national estimation program began in 1936.
Murder Rate Reaches Historic Low
The FBI estimated that approximately 1.12 million violent crimes were reported nationwide in 2025, including about 14,085 murders.
The national murder rate fell to 4.1 killings per 100,000 residents, according to the report. FBI Director Kash Patel said that figure matches the rates recorded in 1955 and 1956, making it one of the lowest levels since national FBI estimates began.
The latest figures continue a downward trend that began after crime rates rose sharply in 2022.
Violent crime declined by 4.5% in 2024, while murder and nonnegligent manslaughter fell by 14.9% that year. The larger declines recorded in 2025 indicate that the downward trend continued and accelerated.
Several Major Crime Categories Declined
The FBI report showed reductions across several categories of violent and property crime.
Reported rape cases decreased by 7.6% compared with 2024. Robbery declined by 18.5%, while aggravated assault fell by 7.5%.
Property crime also recorded substantial decreases. Overall property crime declined by an estimated 12.4%, with burglary falling 15.8% and motor vehicle theft dropping approximately 22%.
The figures were compiled from information provided by more than 17,000 law enforcement agencies across the country. The FBI said every U.S. city with more than 1 million residents contributed a complete year’s worth of data.
Trump Highlights Crime Statistics
President Donald Trump pointed to the figures while speaking to law enforcement officers in New York, describing the results as an unprecedented reduction in crime.
The administration has made public safety and crime reduction major components of its broader law enforcement agenda.
Patel also indicated that the downward trend may continue. The FBI director said preliminary information for 2026 is showing further declines in crime.
Assaults on Police Officers Rise
Despite the overall improvement in crime statistics, the report identified a troubling increase in attacks against law enforcement personnel.
Reported assaults on police officers increased by 13.8% in 2025. The FBI recorded 90,178 officers assaulted while performing their duties, the highest annual figure reported over the past decade.
The increase highlights that declining crime rates do not necessarily translate into reduced risks for police officers, who continue to face significant dangers while responding to calls and enforcing the law.
What the Numbers Mean
The 2025 FBI figures provide evidence of a broad decline in reported crime across the United States, particularly in violent offenses and homicides. However, the data also show that crime trends can vary considerably between categories and that law enforcement agencies continue to face serious challenges.
With preliminary 2026 figures pointing toward additional declines, policymakers and law enforcement officials will be watching closely to determine whether the historic reductions continue.
