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
246,819,230
Violent Crime Rate
666.9
+4.1% YoY
Murder Rate
8.7
+3.0% YoY
Property Crime Rate
5107.1
+1.1% YoY
Compared to 1991 peak: Violent crime rate 12% lower · Murder rate 11% lower
Notable Events in 1989
- •Central Park jogger case (later exonerees)
- •DC becomes "Murder Capital" with 434 homicides
- •Berlin Wall falls
Violent Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Violent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Violent Crime | 1,646,037 | 666.9 | 100% |
| Aggravated Assault | 951,707 | 385.6 | 57.8% |
| Robbery | 578,326 | 234.3 | 35.1% |
| Rape | 94,504 | 38.3 | 5.7% |
| Murder | 21,500 | 8.7 | 1.3% |
Property Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Property |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Property Crime | 12,605,412 | 5107.1 | 100% |
| Larceny-Theft | 7,872,442 | 3189.6 | 62.5% |
| Burglary | 3,168,170 | 1283.6 | 25.1% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,564,800 | 634.0 | 12.4% |
Related Analysis
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, 1989 national estimates.