US murder rate hits lowest level in 125 years as violence plummets — except for 8 big cities

The national homicide rate plunged to a historic low in 2025 and has continued to fall so far this year – except in eight major US cities.

The country saw the sharpest year-over-year decline in murders on record last year, with homicides dropping 20% from 2024 and likely reaching their lowest levels since 1900, according to a new analysis of local crime rates released by the Council on Criminal Justice.