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
242,288,918
Violent Crime Rate
612.5
-1.2% YoY
Murder Rate
8.3
-3.4% YoY
Property Crime Rate
4963.0
+1.7% YoY
Compared to 1991 peak: Violent crime rate 19% lower · Murder rate 15% lower
Notable Events in 1987
- •Stock market crash (Black Monday)
- •Crack wars intensify in DC, NYC
- •Prison population tops 500,000
Violent Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Violent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Violent Crime | 1,483,999 | 612.5 | 100% |
| Aggravated Assault | 855,088 | 352.9 | 57.6% |
| Robbery | 517,704 | 213.7 | 34.9% |
| Rape | 91,111 | 37.6 | 6.1% |
| Murder | 20,096 | 8.3 | 1.4% |
Property Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Property |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Property Crime | 12,024,709 | 4963.0 | 100% |
| Larceny-Theft | 7,499,851 | 3095.4 | 62.4% |
| Burglary | 3,236,184 | 1335.7 | 26.9% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,288,674 | 531.9 | 10.7% |
Related Analysis
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, 1987 national estimates.