Crime Trends: Some U. S. Cities Buck National Decline

In 2025, the U.S. saw a drop in violent crime overall. However, not every city followed this trend.

National Overview

A recent study analyzed crime data from January to September 2025 and compared it to the same period in 2024. The study focused on four types of violent crime:

• Homicide
• Rape
• Robbery
• Aggravated Assault

Nationwide Decline

All four categories showed a decrease:

These numbers are based on voluntary reports by law enforcement agencies and are not final.

Cities Bucking the Trend

While the national trend was positive, some cities saw increases:

• Omaha, Nebraska: Increases in all four crime categories.
• Atlanta, Georgia: More rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults.
• Columbus, Ohio: Increases in robbery and aggravated assault.
• Los Angeles County, California: More rapes and aggravated assaults.
• Tampa, Florida: Rises in rape and robbery.
• Suffolk County, New York: More homicides and robberies.
• Wichita, Kansas: Increases in homicide and rape.
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: More rapes and aggravated assaults.
• Denver, Colorado & Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Rises in rape.

Why the Differences?

The reasons behind these variations are complex. Factors such as:

• Local policies
• Economic conditions
• Community engagement

Understanding these differences is crucial for effective crime prevention. While the national decline is encouraging, crime remains a local issue. What works in one city may not work in another.