The FBI’s annual Unified Crime Report released on Tuesday revealed that U.S. crime rates dropped significantly in 2024 across major categories. Property crime saw an 8% decline, with motor vehicle theft dropping by a notable 18% from 2023 levels. Violent crime, including murders and assaults, also showed a measurable drop. However, the report highlighted concerning trends, particularly an uptick in attacks on law enforcement officers over the last four years, with 258 officers killed in the line of duty during the period from 2021 to 2024. The FBI emphasized that its data, while imperfect, accounts for over 95% of U.S. residents, with the report noting challenges in compiling accurate crime data, especially following the adoption of the National Incident-Based Reporting System in 2022.
Specific crime categories saw varied declines. The U.S. experienced a nearly 15% decline in murder rates compared to 2023, reaching the lowest levels in nearly nine years. Rapes and aggravated assaults also saw declines of 5.2% and 3%, respectively. Meanwhile, burglaries and motor vehicle thefts saw significant drops, with the latter decreasing by 18% in 2024. Additionally, hate crimes recorded a small decline, though the report noted an increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes, with 1,938 incidents reported in 2024 – a 5.8% increase from the previous year – the highest number since 1991. Despite these positive trends, the report underscored the need for continued efforts to address law enforcement safety and the rising incidence of hate crimes, underscoring the complexities of crime trends in the U.S.