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
252,153,092
Violent Crime Rate
758.2
+3.9% YoY
Murder Rate
9.8
+4.3% YoY
Property Crime Rate
5140.2
+1.3% YoY
Compared to 1991 peak: Violent crime rate 0% higher · Murder rate 0% higher
Notable Events in 1991
- •PEAK YEAR: Violent crime hits all-time high
- •Rodney King beating in LA
- •Soviet Union collapses
Violent Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Violent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Violent Crime | 1,911,767 | 758.2 | 100% |
| Aggravated Assault | 1,092,739 | 433.4 | 57.2% |
| Robbery | 687,732 | 272.7 | 36.0% |
| Rape | 106,593 | 42.3 | 5.6% |
| Murder | 24,703 | 9.8 | 1.3% |
Property Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Property |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Property Crime | 12,961,116 | 5140.2 | 100% |
| Larceny-Theft | 8,142,228 | 3229.1 | 62.8% |
| Burglary | 3,157,150 | 1252.1 | 24.4% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,661,738 | 659.0 | 12.8% |
Related Analysis
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, 1991 national estimates.