Violent Crime Drops 17% Across 42 US Cities in 2025 Report

Recent data and reports indicate a continued decline in violent crime across several U.S. cities, including Memphis and Washington D.C. Memphis has seen a nearly 16% drop in overall crime and a 17.4% decrease in major violent crimes in the first half of 2025, with significant reductions in murder, rape, aggravated assault, vehicle theft, and burglaries. Despite the improvements, public perception in Memphis remains skeptical, influenced by national commentary highlighting the city’s crime challenges. Similarly, a nationwide analysis shows a 17% decline in homicides across 30 cities and an overall 14% reduction compared to pre-pandemic levels, though some cities still experience increases. In Washington D.C., while violent crime rates have decreased, the lethality of those crimes has significantly increased, with a much higher proportion of violent incidents resulting in fatalities, especially those involving guns. These findings come amid ongoing political debates about crime trends, with President Donald Trump attributing rising crime to policies like cashless bail, despite evidence of overall declines.