U.S. Murder Rate Plummets to Lowest Level Since 1900

The United States murder rate has plummeted to its lowest level in over a century, marking a historic milestone in national public safety. According to new data released Thursday by the Council on Criminal Justice, homicides in major cities dropped by 21% in 2025 the largest single-year decline on record.

This trend puts the national homicide rate on track to hit approximately 4.0 per 100,000 residents, a figure not seen since 1900.

Law enforcement officials attribute the record-breaking decline to a pivot back toward proactive policing and data-driven enforcement models. Strategic initiatives, such as the restructuring of Crime Reduction Units (CRUs), have focused heavily on high-risk areas and repeat offenders.

"This reflects a fundamental shift in how we approach violent crime prevention," stated a senior law enforcement official, noting that 11 of 13 major offense categories including carjackings and robberiesshowed significant decreases over the last year.

The sharp decline represents a complete reversal of the pandemic-era surge in violence that peaked in 2021. Experts suggest that as social and economic instabilities from the early 2020s receded, the restoration of community infrastructure and targeted federal funding through the American Rescue Plan began to yield tangible results.

In cities like Washington D.C. and Denver, homicides fell by as much as 40%, signaling that the "gravitational pull" of lower crime is gaining momentum across the country.

Despite the positive trajectory, a political divide remains over the future of crime-fighting. While some local leaders advocate for community-led initiatives and localized control, others argue that federal intervention and National Guard deployments are essential to maintaining these historic lows.

As the FBI prepares to release its full annual report later this year, the ongoing debate continues to shape the legislative landscape for 2026.