Violent crime across the United States fell sharply from 2024 to 2025, with murders dropping by more than 18% in what the FBI says is the largest single-year decline in violent crime since 1937.
The figures were released in the FBI’s preliminary annual report, “First Look: 2025 Crime Data,” which provides an early snapshot of nationwide crime trends before the bureau publishes its full “Crime in the Nation” report later this year.
According to the FBI, nearly every major category of violent crime declined significantly during the period.
Murders, Robberies, and Assaults All Declined
The report found that:
- Murders fell by an estimated 18.2%
- Robberies dropped 18.5%
- Aggravated assaults declined 7%
- Rapes fell 7%
FBI Director Kash Patel credited the decline to major changes implemented inside the bureau during President Donald Trump’s second term.
“The 2025 crime data in this report shows the single largest decrease in violent crime and murder since 1937 – as well as huge decreases across the board in terms of aggravated assault, rape, and robbery,” Patel said in a statement.
“Over the last 14 months, we made major transformations at the FBI, and these results show those changes are working,” he added.
“This FBI will continue to stack these wins for the American people under President Trump and always Back the Blue every step of the way.”
Property Crime Also Fell Nationwide
The FBI report also found a substantial decline in property crime.
Offenses including burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson fell by an estimated 12.4%.
The bureau said the data was compiled from approximately 17,075 law enforcement agencies nationwide, a 2.4% increase in agency participation compared to the previous year.
The participating agencies represent nearly 96% of the U.S. population.
Fewer Officers Killed in Line of Duty
The report also showed a decline in law enforcement deaths.
According to the FBI:
- 53 officers were killed in the line of duty in 2025
- That number was down from 64 in 2024
- More than 90,000 officers were assaulted
- 28 officers were accidentally killed
Federal officials have increasingly emphasized support for law enforcement under the Trump administration after years of political conflict surrounding policing and crime policy.
Hundreds of Thousands of Arrests Made
The FBI reported that law enforcement agencies made:
• Nearly 414,000 arrests tied to violent crimes
• Approximately 868,000 arrests tied to property crimes
Despite the significant declines, violent crime remains widespread nationwide.
According to the bureau’s figures:
• A murder occurred every 37.3 minutes in the United States
• A violent crime occurred every 28.2 seconds
• Major Cities Also Report Sharp Crime Drops
The FBI’s findings were echoed by separate data released by the Major Cities Chiefs Association.
That report, which examined crime trends from January through March 2026, found violent crime continued falling across many major American cities.
Data from 67 large police agencies showed:
- Homicides declined 17.7%
- Robberies fell 20.4%
The participating departments included major jurisdictions such as:
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- New York City
- Philadelphia
The numbers are likely to become a major talking point for Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms as the Trump administration continues highlighting its law-and-order agenda and support for police.
