The Great Recession tested but didn't reverse the crime decline — an important finding that complicated simple poverty-causes-crime narratives. Crime reached new modern lows.
Population
307,006,550
Violent Crime Rate
431.9
-5.8% YoY
Murder Rate
5.0
-7.4% YoY
Property Crime Rate
3041.3
-5.4% YoY
Compared to 1991 peak: Violent crime rate 43% lower · Murder rate 49% lower
Notable Events in 2009
- •Recession deepens — unemployment hits 10%
- •Fort Hood shooting
- •Despite recession, crime continues to fall — challenging poverty-crime link
Violent Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Violent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Violent Crime | 1,325,896 | 431.9 | 100% |
| Aggravated Assault | 812,514 | 264.7 | 61.3% |
| Robbery | 408,742 | 133.1 | 30.8% |
| Rape | 89,241 | 29.1 | 6.7% |
| Murder | 15,399 | 5.0 | 1.2% |
Property Crime Breakdown
| Offense | Total | Rate per 100K | % of Property |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Property Crime | 9,337,060 | 3041.3 | 100% |
| Larceny-Theft | 6,338,095 | 2064.5 | 67.9% |
| Burglary | 2,203,313 | 717.7 | 23.6% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 795,652 | 259.2 | 8.5% |
Related Analysis
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, 2009 national estimates.