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
270,248,003
Violent Crime Rate
567.6
-7.1% YoY
Murder Rate
6.3
-7.6% YoY
Property Crime Rate
4052.5
-6.1% YoY
Compared to 1991 peak: Violent crime rate 25% lower · Murder rate 36% lower
Notable Events in 1998
- •Columbine-era school safety debates begin
- •Economic boom continues — unemployment at 4.5%
- •Matthew Shepard hate crime murder
Violent Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Violent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Violent Crime | 1,533,887 | 567.6 | 100% |
| Aggravated Assault | 976,583 | 361.4 | 63.7% |
| Robbery | 447,186 | 165.5 | 29.2% |
| Rape | 93,144 | 34.5 | 6.1% |
| Murder | 16,974 | 6.3 | 1.1% |
Property Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Property |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Property Crime | 10,951,827 | 4052.5 | 100% |
| Larceny-Theft | 7,376,311 | 2729.5 | 67.4% |
| Burglary | 2,332,735 | 863.2 | 21.3% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,242,781 | 459.9 | 11.3% |
Related Analysis
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, 1998 national estimates.