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
249,464,396
Violent Crime Rate
729.6
+9.4% YoY
Murder Rate
9.4
+7.9% YoY
Property Crime Rate
5073.1
-0.7% YoY
Compared to 1991 peak: Violent crime rate 4% lower · Murder rate 4% lower
Notable Events in 1990
- •NYC records 2,245 murders — all-time high
- •Crime Bill debate begins in Congress
- •Recession starts
Violent Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Violent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Violent Crime | 1,820,127 | 729.6 | 100% |
| Aggravated Assault | 1,054,863 | 422.9 | 58.0% |
| Robbery | 639,271 | 256.3 | 35.1% |
| Rape | 102,555 | 41.1 | 5.6% |
| Murder | 23,438 | 9.4 | 1.3% |
Property Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Property |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Property Crime | 12,655,486 | 5073.1 | 100% |
| Larceny-Theft | 7,945,670 | 3185.1 | 62.8% |
| Burglary | 3,073,909 | 1232.2 | 24.3% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,635,907 | 655.8 | 12.9% |
Related Analysis
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, 1990 national estimates.