The early 1980s saw rising crime as the crack cocaine epidemic began taking hold in major cities. The "War on Drugs" was escalating, and prison populations were growing rapidly.
Population
225,349,264
Violent Crime Rate
596.6
+8.7% YoY
Murder Rate
10.2
+4.8% YoY
Property Crime Rate
5353.3
+6.7% YoY
Compared to 1991 peak: Violent crime rate 21% lower · Murder rate 4% higher
Notable Events in 1980
- •Ronald Reagan elected president
- •John Lennon assassinated in NYC
- •US begins prison-building boom
Violent Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Violent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Violent Crime | 1,344,520 | 596.6 | 100% |
| Aggravated Assault | 672,650 | 298.5 | 50.0% |
| Robbery | 565,840 | 251.1 | 42.1% |
| Rape | 82,990 | 36.8 | 6.2% |
| Murder | 23,040 | 10.2 | 1.7% |
Property Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Property |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Property Crime | 12,063,700 | 5353.3 | 100% |
| Larceny-Theft | 7,136,900 | 3167.0 | 59.2% |
| Burglary | 3,795,200 | 1684.1 | 31.5% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,131,700 | 502.2 | 9.4% |
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, 1980 national estimates.