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
244,498,982
Violent Crime Rate
640.6
+4.6% YoY
Murder Rate
8.5
+2.1% YoY
Property Crime Rate
5054.0
+1.8% YoY
Compared to 1991 peak: Violent crime rate 16% lower · Murder rate 14% lower
Notable Events in 1988
- •George H.W. Bush "Willie Horton" campaign ad
- •Anti-Drug Abuse Act strengthened
- •Crack epidemic peaks in several cities
Violent Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Violent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Violent Crime | 1,566,221 | 640.6 | 100% |
| Aggravated Assault | 910,092 | 372.2 | 58.1% |
| Robbery | 542,968 | 222.1 | 34.7% |
| Rape | 92,486 | 37.8 | 5.9% |
| Murder | 20,675 | 8.5 | 1.3% |
Property Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Property |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Property Crime | 12,356,865 | 5054.0 | 100% |
| Larceny-Theft | 7,705,872 | 3151.7 | 62.4% |
| Burglary | 3,218,077 | 1316.2 | 26.0% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,432,916 | 586.1 | 11.6% |
Related Analysis
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, 1988 national estimates.