Violent Crime Drops Sharply Across Major US Cities

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According to a statistical analysis by the Major Cities Chiefs Association, major US cities overall experienced a steep drop in violent crime in 2025. The report shows homicides were down over 19%, robberies nearly 20%, rapes almost 9%, and aggravated assaults almost 10% compared to 2024. Analysts cite a combination of renewed precision policing tactics, advancements in technology, and preventative measures as contributing factors to the nationwide decline in violent crime.

Why it matters

The significant drop in violent crime across major US cities is an encouraging sign after a spike during the COVID-19 pandemic. While not all cities saw declines, the overall downward trend suggests law enforcement and community-based strategies are having a positive impact on public safety in urban areas.

The details

The Major Cities Chiefs Association survey compiled statistics from 67 of 68 responding law enforcement agencies. Key findings include a 19% drop in homicides, 20% decline in robberies, 9% decrease in rapes, and 10% reduction in aggravated assaults compared to 2024. Specific cities saw notable changes, such as a drop from 587 to 417 homicides in Chicago, 1,116 to 678 rapes in Columbus, Ohio, and 18,590 to 15,378 aggravated assaults in Houston. Analysts attribute the nationwide decline to a combination of precision policing, technological advancements, and efforts to address pandemic-related backlogs in the court system.

• The Major Cities Chiefs Association survey reflects crime statistics compiled through the end of 2025.
• The Council on Criminal Justice report, also showing steep declines in violent crime, was released in January 2026.