WASHINGTON, D.C.- Homicide rates across the United States have experienced a significant decline in 2024, marking one of the largest decreases in violent crime in recent years—ABC reports the nation saw an overall 17.5 percent drop in homicides compared to the previous year.
Major cities across the country, including New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia, reported double-digit declines, a trend that law enforcement officials and crime analysts attribute to a combination of policy changes, increased community intervention programs, and shifting post-pandemic societal patterns, ABC News reports.
This would make 2024’s annual murder toll the lowest levels since before the pandemic. The steep reduction, which is 5,000 fewer homicides compared to 2023, is due to cities implementing targeted strategies, violence interruption programs and measures to reduce gun violence, said ABC.
Crime data from law enforcement agencies suggest several cities that experienced surges in violent crime in recent years are now seeing notable declines, noted ABC News, saying New York City, for example, saw a 12 percent decrease in homicides, while Chicago experienced a 15 percent drop.
Similarly, Los Angeles and Philadelphia both recorded significant reductions in murder rates, highlighting what many experts believe is a nationwide shift in violent crime patterns.
According to ABC, the drop in homicides “surpasses a 13 percent decline in 2023, then the largest decrease on record until now. In 2022, the number of murders across the country fell six percent, according to the FBI.”
Between 2019 and 2020, there was a 30 percent jump in murders, the largest single-year increase in more than a century.
“Philadelphia—which recorded an all-time high of 562 homicides in 2021, 516 in 2022 and 410 last year—has seen a 40 percent drop in homicides in 2024,” ABC reports.
Homicides in 63 cities with populations over 250,000 this year declined by at least 15 percent, and went down 19 percent in 246 cities with populations under 250,000.
Criminologists and public safety officials credit several factors for this decline, said ABC, suggesting increased investment in community violence intervention programs, and deploying social workers and crisis responders to address disputes before they escalate into violence.
ABC News explains that these programs, often implemented in collaboration with local law enforcement, have played a crucial role in preventing retaliatory crimes and breaking cycles of violence.
Policing strategies have also evolved, with some departments shifting toward a more data-driven approach to crime prevention, said ABC, singling out targeted policing in high-crime areas, along with reforms that focus on de-escalation tactics and community engagement, that have contributed to lower crime rates.
According to ABC News, experts note that, while these strategies are not universally adopted, cities that have integrated them into their policing models have seen the most substantial reductions in homicide rates.
Economic factors have also played a role in the decline. ABC News reports improved job opportunities, increased social services, and post-pandemic stabilization have contributed to reduced crime rates.
However, despite the positive trend, some experts warn that the decline should be interpreted with caution. ABC News notes that, while many major cities have seen reductions, certain regions continue to experience persistent violence.
ABC added some rural and southern areas have reported stagnation or even slight increases in homicide rates, suggesting that the decline is not uniform across the country. Additionally, criminologists emphasize that one-year trends do not necessarily indicate a long-term shift.
While the homicide rate drop in 2024 has been met with optimism, policymakers and law enforcement officials stress the need for continued investment in crime prevention strategies, said ABC News, adding city leaders are advocating for the continued expansion of social services and law enforcement reforms that prioritize proactive engagement over reactive policing.
As the nation moved into 2025, law enforcement agencies and crime analysts will be closely monitoring whether this downward trend continues. ABC News said while the reduction in homicides is a positive development, maintaining the decline will require continued efforts to address the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to violent crime.
ABC also reported auto thefts “went up 12 percent last year. They’re coming down more than 20 percent this year,” said ABC, noting the “2023 spike in car thefts appears to be tied to social media instruction videos on how to steal certain models of Kias and Hyundais.”
Other than homicides, rape was down 4.5 percent from 2023, aggravated assaults went down by 3.7 percent, and robberies fell by 1.1 percent, ABC reported.
