The 1990s saw the beginning of the Great Crime Decline — one of the most significant social improvements in modern American history. Every category of crime fell as the economy boomed and the crack epidemic faded.
Population
265,228,572
Violent Crime Rate
636.6
-7.0% YoY
Murder Rate
7.4
-9.9% YoY
Property Crime Rate
4451.0
-3.0% YoY
Compared to 1991 peak: Violent crime rate 16% lower · Murder rate 24% lower
Notable Events in 1996
- •Welfare reform signed into law
- •Leaded gasoline completely phased out
- •Crime decline accelerates nationally
Violent Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Violent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Violent Crime | 1,688,540 | 636.6 | 100% |
| Aggravated Assault | 1,037,049 | 391.0 | 61.4% |
| Robbery | 535,594 | 201.9 | 31.7% |
| Rape | 96,252 | 36.3 | 5.7% |
| Murder | 19,645 | 7.4 | 1.2% |
Property Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Property |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Property Crime | 11,805,323 | 4451.0 | 100% |
| Larceny-Theft | 7,904,685 | 2980.3 | 67.0% |
| Burglary | 2,506,400 | 945.0 | 21.2% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,394,238 | 525.7 | 11.8% |
Related Analysis
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, 1996 national estimates.