The late 1980s and early 1990s were the peak of American violent crime, driven by the crack epidemic and gang wars. Violence reached levels that led many to question whether cities were governable.
Population
237,923,795
Violent Crime Rate
558.1
+3.4% YoY
Murder Rate
8.0
+0.6% YoY
Property Crime Rate
4666.4
+3.7% YoY
Compared to 1991 peak: Violent crime rate 26% lower · Murder rate 19% lower
Notable Events in 1985
- •Crack epidemic accelerates in NYC, LA, Miami
- •MOVE bombing in Philadelphia
- •FBI begins tracking hate crimes
Violent Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Violent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Violent Crime | 1,327,767 | 558.1 | 100% |
| Aggravated Assault | 723,246 | 304.0 | 54.5% |
| Robbery | 497,874 | 209.3 | 37.5% |
| Rape | 87,671 | 36.8 | 6.6% |
| Murder | 18,976 | 8.0 | 1.4% |
Property Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Property |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Property Crime | 11,102,590 | 4666.4 | 100% |
| Larceny-Theft | 6,926,380 | 2911.2 | 62.4% |
| Burglary | 3,073,348 | 1291.7 | 27.7% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,102,862 | 463.5 | 9.9% |
Related Analysis
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, 1985 national estimates.