US homicide rate heading to new historic low. Experts are not sure why
Violence In America,Crime,Violent Crime,Murders,Public Safety
From the Center
AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center
Crime rates across major U.S. cities have plummeted in 2026, with homicides on track to hit their lowest level since record-keeping began in 1900, according to a report released Thursday by the independent Council on Criminal Justice.
Researchers told Straight Arrow there is no single explanation — or consensus — for why crime is falling so dramatically. Notably, crime rates dropped across the country, regardless of location, population size or local politics.
"It was a good surprise," Ernesto Lopez, the report's co-author, told Straight Arrow.
Check for Bias
The AI-powered AllSides Bias Checker instantly reveals the bias of a news article. Tap the button to use.
Related Coverage
AllSides Picks
Headline Roundup
National Homicide Rate Continues to Decline in 2026, Report Finds
July 24th, 2026
Red Blue Translator
Police Brutality
News
Media Bias Alert: UN Accuses Israel of Genocide, Japan to Establish Central Intelligence Agency, Unauthorized ‘Aircraft Pirate’ Released Into US
Malayna J. Bizier
July 23rd, 2026