Homicides Drop Nearly 20 Percent Across Major US Cities

Homicide rates in the United States have seen a significant and sustained decline, with a nearly 20 percent drop across 30 large cities in the first half of 2025, marking a potential third consecutive year of record decreases. Cities like Baltimore have demonstrated that reducing crime does not necessarily require increasing police presence; instead, investments in community infrastructure such as recreation centers and street lighting, alongside nonprofit violence reduction programs, have played a crucial role. Federal funding from initiatives like the American Rescue Plan Act supported these efforts, although some violence reduction grants have faced cuts. New Orleans illustrates how lower violent crime rates enable city leaders to shift focus toward quality-of-life improvements, tackling issues like graffiti and neighborhood blight to maintain safer environments. Despite overall declines, experts caution that crime trends are complex and can be volatile, emphasizing the need for continued multifaceted strategies addressing societal factors behind crime. The data, compiled by organizations such as the Council on Criminal Justice and the Real Time Crime Index, confirm that broad crime surges experienced during the pandemic have largely reversed, with only car theft remaining elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels.