Violent Crime Declines Nationally, Yet Several U.S. Cities Report Increases

While violent crime has dropped nationally in 2025, a troubling trend has emerged in various cities where certain crime categories, including homicides and assaults, have surged. This contrasting data raises concerns about localized crime spikes, emphasizing the complexities of national safety trends.

Why It Matters

The overall reduction in violent crime is a positive development, suggesting improved safety in many areas. However, the reported increases in specific cities highlight disparities in crime rates and raise important questions about community safety, policing strategies, and resource allocation. Understanding these local dynamics is essential for effective law enforcement and public policy.

Key Developments

• Violent crime nationally decreased from January to September 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 across all major categories.
• Decrease in homicide: 4,143 in 2025 vs. 5,126 in 2024.
• Decrease in rape: 20,407 in 2025 vs. 21,728 in 2024.
• Decrease in robbery: 66,501 in 2025 vs. 81,860 in 2024.
• Decrease in aggravated assault: 194,804 in 2025 vs. 216,466 in 2024.
• Several cities reported increasing violent crime rates despite the national downturn.

Full Report

Omaha, Nebraska

Reported increases in all four violent crime categories: homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, according to data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA).

Atlanta, Georgia

In Atlanta, there were year-over-year increases in rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, bucking the national trend of decline in these areas.

Columbus, Ohio

Columbus experienced increases in robbery and aggravated assault, contrasting with national statistics that showed a decrease in these categories.

Los Angeles County, California

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported rises in rape and aggravated assault from 2024 to 2025, according to MCCA survey data.

Tampa, Florida

Tampa recorded increases in both rape and robbery, despite nationwide declines in these categories during the same time frame.

Suffolk County, New York

This suburb of New York City saw an increase in both homicide and robbery reports.

Wichita, Kansas

Wichita recorded increases in homicide and rape, reversing the national downward trend in these categories.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh reported increases in rape and aggravated assault, while other violent crime categories displayed a decline.

Denver, Colorado

Denver noted an increase in reported rapes, according to the MCCA.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia also experienced a rise in rape, even as overall violent crime figures nationally continued their downward trend.

Focus on Crime in Urban Areas

The reduction in violent crime at the national level coincides with heightened federal attention towards crime in urban areas. This includes strategic interventions by the federal government, notably deploying the National Guard to assist local law enforcement in troubled areas.

Context & Previous Events

The MCCA’s survey covers violent crime reporting during the first nine months of 2025 and compares it to the same period in 2024. Participants in the survey provided voluntary reports, and the association has cautioned that these numbers are preliminary.