FBI: Violent crime drops 9.3%, murder rate ties historic low

The Federal Bureau of Investigation on August 15, 2026, released its comprehensive crime statistics for calendar year 2025, revealing a historic nationwide decline in violent crime. The data indicates that the drop from 2024 to 2025 represents the largest single-year decrease in violent crime rates since the FBI began its national estimation program in 1936.

The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program figures show that violent crime overall fell by an estimated 9.3%. The most dramatic decreases occurred in murder and robbery. Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter offenses dropped by an estimated 18.1%, bringing the national murder rate to 4.1 killings per 100,000 inhabitants. The bureau noted this rate ties with 1955 and 1956 for the lowest recorded since its estimations began. Robbery rates declined by 18.5%, while aggravated assault decreased by 7.2% and rape offenses fell by 7.6%. Property crime also saw a significant reduction, with a 12.4% decrease compared to 2024.

FBI Director Kash Patel attributed the results to reforms implemented within the bureau. "Over the last 14 months, we made major transformations at the FBI, and these results show those changes are working," Patel...