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
240,132,887
Violent Crime Rate
620.1
+11.1% YoY
Murder Rate
8.6
+7.5% YoY
Property Crime Rate
4881.8
+4.6% YoY
Compared to 1991 peak: Violent crime rate 18% lower · Murder rate 12% lower
Notable Events in 1986
- •Anti-Drug Abuse Act creates mandatory minimums
- •Len Bias dies from cocaine — sparks legislative action
- •Iran-Contra affair emerges
Violent Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Violent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Violent Crime | 1,489,169 | 620.1 | 100% |
| Aggravated Assault | 834,322 | 347.4 | 56.0% |
| Robbery | 542,775 | 226.0 | 36.4% |
| Rape | 91,459 | 38.1 | 6.1% |
| Murder | 20,613 | 8.6 | 1.4% |
Property Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Property |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Property Crime | 11,722,700 | 4881.8 | 100% |
| Larceny-Theft | 7,257,153 | 3022.1 | 61.9% |
| Burglary | 3,241,410 | 1349.8 | 27.7% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,224,137 | 509.8 | 10.4% |
Related Analysis
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, 1986 national estimates.