US Homicide Rate Falls 18% in First Half as 8 Cities Post Increases
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Jul 23
US Homicide Rate Falls 18% in First Half as 8 Cities Post Increases
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Jul 23
Summary
Twenty-one of 30 cities tracked by the Council on Criminal Justice posted an average 18% homicide-rate decline from January to June 2026, extending last year's sharp national drop.
Eight cities still recorded increases, including San Francisco up 55%, Dallas up 30% and Norfolk up 64%, though several police departments disputed the study's preliminary figures.
The report, covering 13 crime types in 36 cities, found nine categories fell; carjackings dropped the most, drug offenses rose the most, and aggravated assaults were roughly flat.
Little Rock cut homicides 61%, Rochester 76%, and Lincoln fell from six killings last year to zero, while the share of serious violent crimes ending in death dropped 23%.
Researchers said no single cause explains the decline, pointing instead to broad forces such as technology-driven lifestyle changes and lower alcohol abuse.
While homicides are plummeting, why are personal crimes like domestic violence and sexual assault on the rise across American cities?
What makes cities like San Francisco and Norfolk exceptions to the national trend of falling homicide rates?
Can post-pandemic federal funding create a lasting peace, or is this historic crime drop temporary?
U.S. Homicides Fall to Lowest Levels in Decades: Trends, Disparities, and Future Risks
Overview
In 2026, the United States is seeing a significant and widespread drop in homicide rates, continuing a trend from 2025, which likely set a record low. This decline is not limited to a few cities but is consistent across the country, with crime falling in various categories. Analyses show that changes in murder rates since 2018 closely match final FBI data, indicating a reliable and sustained downward trend. However, while homicides decrease, some crimes like motor vehicle theft are rising, highlighting the complex and varied nature of crime patterns in the nation.