🌅 America’s Crime Paradox

Author

Sunrise Stat
August 12, 2025

4.5% - The decline in U.S. violent crime in 2024.

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SOURCE
WHAT TO KNOW

  • A new report by the FBI shows the nation’s violent and property crime rates have fallen to 20-year lows, as violent crime (down 4.5%), property crime (8.1%), murder (14.9%), and auto thefts (18.6%) all decreased in 2024 compared to the year prior. Preliminary data from the nation’s largest cities shows violent crime has continued to decline in 2025 and could be approaching record lows.

WHY IT MATTERS

  • Despite the success—particularly after the notorious COVID-era surge in homicide—Americans still believe crime is on the rise. Survey data from Gallup shows 64% of U.S. adults mistakenly believe crime is increasing nationwide and 49% think it’s increasing in their local area.

CONNECT THE DOTS

  • On Monday, Trump took federal control of the police force in Washington, D.C. and mobilized 800 National Guard troops to patrol the city he claims is overrun with crime. In reality, like most other major U.S. cities, the nation’s capital has experienced a steady decrease in violent crime in recent years. After spiking in 2023, violent crime in D.C. has fallen by 35% in 2024, including steep declines in homicide (down 32%), robberies (39%), and armed auto thefts (53%).