FBI data shows U.S. crime declined significantly in 2025: the homicide rate fell to 4.1 per 100,000 people, tied for the lowest level since the mid-1950s. Murders dropped 18.1%, violent crime fell 9.3%, property crime declined 12.4%, and vehicle theft reached its lowest level since 2000.
Experts say the decline appears genuine but cannot be credited to one president, party, or policy, as the research shows that rates of crime have gone down across jurisdictions with many different approaches to law enforcement, political leadership and economic conditions.
Crime had already been falling after the sharp pandemic-era homicide increase in 2020, and early 2026 data suggested the trend was continuing.
So why does the crime rate seem out of control to some?
If you’re over 35, you may remember when most crime news came from local TV, radio, newspapers, and word of mouth—usually within about an hour’s drive, unless a case became a major national story, such as O.J. Simpson’s trial or a mass school shooting.
Today, the internet and social media put crimes from anywhere in the country directly into your feed.
A carjacking in another state, a violent assault in a distant city, or a shoplifting video from across the country can feel local because it is seen instantly, repeatedly, and without much geographic context.
That constant exposure can make crime appear more widespread and immediate than it actually is in your own community.
Also, violent crime can still feel worse because social media and nonstop news expose people to disturbing incidents nationwide without local context. Visible disorder and different local crime conditions can also make individual communities feel unsafe despite lower national rates.
Republican talking-points
Republicans are likely to use the decline as a 2026 midterm argument for their policing, border, and immigration policies. Democrats will counter that crime was already dropping before Trump returned to office, making it difficult to prove that the administration alone caused the improvement.
Best way to judge crime
The clearest way to judge safety is to examine multi-year, local crime rates by population and offense type—not just viral stories or national headlines.
