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
233,791,994
Violent Crime Rate
538.1
-5.7% YoY
Murder Rate
8.3
-8.9% YoY
Property Crime Rate
4641.1
-7.7% YoY
Compared to 1991 peak: Violent crime rate 29% lower · Murder rate 16% lower
Notable Events in 1983
- •Crack cocaine begins appearing in major cities
- •Beirut barracks bombing
- •Economy begins recovery
Violent Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Violent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Violent Crime | 1,258,087 | 538.1 | 100% |
| Aggravated Assault | 653,294 | 279.4 | 51.9% |
| Robbery | 506,567 | 216.7 | 40.3% |
| Rape | 78,918 | 33.8 | 6.3% |
| Murder | 19,308 | 8.3 | 1.5% |
Property Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Property |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Property Crime | 10,850,543 | 4641.1 | 100% |
| Larceny-Theft | 6,712,759 | 2871.3 | 61.9% |
| Burglary | 3,129,851 | 1338.7 | 28.8% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,007,933 | 431.1 | 9.3% |
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, 1983 national estimates.