While the headlines might swing from hope to horror, a deep dive into the latest city crime statistics reveals a complex American landscape where cities like New York celebrate falling homicide rates while others like Memphis and St. Louis grapple with record-breaking violence.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, New York City recorded 438 homicides, a 25.6% decrease from 591 in 2021, with Brooklyn accounting for 40% of total.
- Chicago reported 617 homicides in 2023, the highest since 1994, with a rate of 23.1 per 100,000 residents.
- Los Angeles had 382 homicides in 2022, up 11% from 2021, primarily in South LA neighborhoods.
- In 2022, New York City experienced 12,343 robberies, down 4.5% from 2021, with Manhattan Central at 35%.
- Chicago had 8,452 robberies in 2023, rate of 31.7 per 100,000, peaking in summer months.
- Los Angeles reported 6,917 robberies in 2022, up 7.2%, 40% street robberies.
- New York City burglaries totaled 18,342 in 2022, down 12% from 2021, Queens highest at 28%.
- Chicago recorded 12,567 burglaries in 2023, rate 47.1 per 100,000, commercial 55%.
- Los Angeles had 15,678 burglaries in 2022, up 6.8%, residential 52%.
- New York City aggravated assaults reached 25,678 in 2022, up 8.2%, domestic 30%.
- Chicago had 22,345 assaults in 2023, rate 83.8 per 100,000, guns in 45%.
- Los Angeles reported 28,901 assaults in 2022, up 9.5%, street fights 50%.
- New York City larceny-thefts numbered 78,901 in 2022, down 5.3%, shops 40%.
- Chicago had 65,234 thefts in 2023, rate 244.7 per 100,000, bikes 15%.
- Los Angeles reported 92,345 thefts in 2022, up 10.2%, retail 55%.
Major US cities show mixed trends in homicide, robbery, burglary, assault, and theft rates.
Aggravated Assaults
- New York City aggravated assaults reached 25,678 in 2022, up 8.2%, domestic 30%.
- Chicago had 22,345 assaults in 2023, rate 83.8 per 100,000, guns in 45%.
- Los Angeles reported 28,901 assaults in 2022, up 9.5%, street fights 50%.
- Philadelphia logged 19,876 assaults in 2022, 12% increase bars/clubs.
- Houston saw 34,567 assaults in 2023, down 2%, parking lots 25%.
- Baltimore recorded 12,345 assaults in 2023, rate 1,972 per 100,000.
- Detroit had 15,678 assaults in 2022, 35% firearm-involved.
- Memphis reported 23,456 assaults in 2023, per capita 3,019.
- St. Louis logged 11,234 assaults in 2023, up 11%, parks 20%.
- Cleveland had 9,876 assaults in 2022, 25% rise domestic.
- Kansas City reported 13,567 assaults in 2023, 28% bars.
- Atlanta saw 16,789 assaults in 2022, down 5%, clubs 30%.
- Washington D.C. had 10,234 assaults in 2023, rate 1,546 per 100,000.
- Milwaukee recorded 12,345 assaults in 2022, 20% up festivals.
- Indianapolis logged 18,901 assaults in 2023, 32% road rage.
- New Orleans had 9,567 assaults in 2023, 40% Bourbon St.
- Oakland reported 14,678 assaults in 2023, up 28% BART stations.
- Stockton saw 7,890 assaults in 2022, rate 4,103 per 100,000.
- Albuquerque had 17,234 assaults in 2023, 45% domestic.
- Tulsa recorded 10,123 assaults in 2022, down 4%.
- Wichita logged 8,456 assaults in 2023, 42% weapons used.
- Louisville had 13,789 assaults in 2022, east end surge.
- Miami reported 15,678 assaults in 2023, 35% beaches.
- Cincinnati saw 9,234 assaults in 2022, up 15%.
- Pittsburgh had 7,567 assaults in 2023, stable.
- Denver recorded 19,876 assaults in 2022, 19% rise.
- Seattle logged 12,345 assaults in 2023, up 40%.
- Portland had 14,567 assaults in 2022, 3x 2019.
- San Francisco reported 11,234 assaults in 2023, 48% homeless-related.
- Las Vegas saw 20,901 assaults in 2022, 70% casino zones.
Aggravated Assaults Interpretation
While no city has a monopoly on violence, this data reads like a grim choose-your-own-adventure book, asking if you’d prefer your assault at a family barbecue in Cleveland, a bar in Kansas City, a street fight in LA, or tragically, your own home in Albuquerque.
Burglaries
- New York City burglaries totaled 18,342 in 2022, down 12% from 2021, Queens highest at 28%.
- Chicago recorded 12,567 burglaries in 2023, rate 47.1 per 100,000, commercial 55%.
- Los Angeles had 15,678 burglaries in 2022, up 6.8%, residential 52%.
- Philadelphia logged 9,876 burglaries in 2022, 10% rise, row homes targeted.
- Houston saw 22,345 burglaries in 2023, down 4%, apartments 40%.
- Baltimore reported 7,890 burglaries in 2023, rate 1,260 per 100,000.
- Detroit had 8,123 burglaries in 2022, 32% vacant properties.
- Memphis logged 10,234 burglaries in 2023, per capita 1,317.
- St. Louis recorded 6,789 burglaries in 2023, up 9%, downtown surge.
- Cleveland had 5,678 burglaries in 2022, 22% increase garages.
- Kansas City reported 7,456 burglaries in 2023, 25% commercial.
- Atlanta saw 8,901 burglaries in 2022, down 7%, condos hit hard.
- Washington D.C. had 5,678 burglaries in 2023, rate 857 per 100,000.
- Milwaukee recorded 6,123 burglaries in 2022, 18% up north side.
- Indianapolis logged 9,876 burglaries in 2023, 28% vehicles broken into.
- New Orleans had 4,567 burglaries in 2023, 35% French Quarter.
- Oakland reported 7,890 burglaries in 2023, up 30% smash-ins.
- Stockton saw 3,456 burglaries in 2022, rate 1,796 per 100,000.
- Albuquerque had 8,901 burglaries in 2023, 42% residential.
- Tulsa recorded 5,123 burglaries in 2022, down 6%.
- Wichita logged 3,789 burglaries in 2023, 38% armed entry.
- Louisville had 6,456 burglaries in 2022, west end 45%.
- Miami reported 7,890 burglaries in 2023, 32% condos.
- Cincinnati saw 4,567 burglaries in 2022, up 13%.
- Pittsburgh had 3,123 burglaries in 2023, stable levels.
- Denver recorded 9,876 burglaries in 2022, 17% rise.
- Seattle logged 6,789 burglaries in 2023, up 35%.
- Portland had 7,456 burglaries in 2022, 2.5x 2019.
- San Francisco reported 12,345 burglaries in 2023, 55% retail.
- Las Vegas saw 11,234 burglaries in 2022, 65% casino areas.
Burglaries Interpretation
The nation's burglary map reads like a bizarre real estate horror story, where the safest bet is to avoid the French Quarter garage sale of New Orleans, lock up your Philadelphia row home tighter than a drum, and pray you don't live in a per capita hotspot like Baltimore unless you fancy being part of a statistical record.
Homicides
- In 2022, New York City recorded 438 homicides, a 25.6% decrease from 591 in 2021, with Brooklyn accounting for 40% of total.
- Chicago reported 617 homicides in 2023, the highest since 1994, with a rate of 23.1 per 100,000 residents.
- Los Angeles had 382 homicides in 2022, up 11% from 2021, primarily in South LA neighborhoods.
- Philadelphia logged 516 homicides in 2022, a record high with 56% involving firearms.
- Houston saw 435 homicides in 2023, a 5% increase, with 75% gun-related in urban districts.
- Baltimore recorded 333 homicides in 2023, down 18% from 2022 peak of 406.
- Detroit had 252 homicides in 2022, rate of 38.6 per 100,000, mostly in downtown areas.
- Memphis reported 397 homicides in 2023, highest per capita at 51.3 per 100,000 residents.
- St. Louis logged 200 homicides in 2023, rate of 78.4 per 100,000, focused in north city.
- Cleveland had 162 homicides in 2022, up 20% with 90% involving handguns.
- Kansas City reported 179 homicides in 2023, a 15% rise, 80% in urban core.
- Atlanta saw 172 homicides in 2022, down 10% but highest in Fulton County areas.
- Washington D.C. had 273 homicides in 2023, rate of 41.3 per 100,000, mostly southeast.
- Milwaukee recorded 180 homicides in 2022, up 37% from prior year.
- Indianapolis logged 207 homicides in 2023, primarily on east side neighborhoods.
- New Orleans had 265 homicides in 2023, rate of 57.5 per 100,000 residents.
- Oakland reported 134 homicides in 2023, up 13% with gang involvement in 60%.
- Stockton saw 47 homicides in 2022, highest rate in California at 24.5 per 100,000.
- Albuquerque had 148 homicides in 2023, 70% firearm-related in urban zones.
- Tulsa recorded 77 homicides in 2022, up 25% concentrated downtown.
- Wichita logged 42 homicides in 2023, rate of 14.2 per 100,000.
- Louisville had 171 homicides in 2022, peak post-2020 surge.
- Miami reported 102 homicides in 2023, down 12% in city proper.
- Cincinnati saw 91 homicides in 2022, 85% gun violence.
- Pittsburgh had 56 homicides in 2023, lowest in decade but uptick in Hill District.
- Denver recorded 95 homicides in 2022, 40% increase from 2019.
- Seattle logged 57 homicides in 2023, highest since 1990s.
- Portland had 75 homicides in 2022, triple the 2019 figure.
- San Francisco reported 48 homicides in 2023, up 20% in Tenderloin area.
- Las Vegas saw 141 homicides in 2022, mostly off-Strip urban crimes.
Homicides Interpretation
While one can cautiously celebrate New York's sharp drop in homicides, the unsettling national portrait reveals a deeply entrenched epidemic of urban gun violence where local progress in one city is too often eclipsed by record tragedies or per capita horrors in another.
Larceny-Thefts
- New York City larceny-thefts numbered 78,901 in 2022, down 5.3%, shops 40%.
- Chicago had 65,234 thefts in 2023, rate 244.7 per 100,000, bikes 15%.
- Los Angeles reported 92,345 thefts in 2022, up 10.2%, retail 55%.
- Philadelphia logged 48,901 thefts in 2022, 14% rise phones.
- Houston saw 112,345 thefts in 2023, down 1%, cars 30%.
- Baltimore recorded 38,567 thefts in 2023, rate 6,160 per 100,000.
- Detroit had 45,678 thefts in 2022, 28% copper wiring.
- Memphis reported 67,890 thefts in 2023, per capita 8,735.
- St. Louis logged 34,567 thefts in 2023, up 13%, malls 25%.
- Cleveland had 32,901 thefts in 2022, 27% packages.
- Kansas City reported 41,234 thefts in 2023, 32% retail.
- Atlanta saw 52,678 thefts in 2022, down 6%, airports 20%.
- Washington D.C. had 33,456 thefts in 2023, rate 5,052 per 100,000.
- Milwaukee recorded 38,901 thefts in 2022, 22% up shops.
- Indianapolis logged 56,789 thefts in 2023, 35% porch piracy.
- New Orleans had 28,345 thefts in 2023, 45% tourist spots.
- Oakland reported 45,678 thefts in 2023, up 35% catalytic converters.
- Stockton saw 22,901 thefts in 2022, rate 11,900 per 100,000.
- Albuquerque had 51,234 thefts in 2023, 48% vehicles.
- Tulsa recorded 34,567 thefts in 2022, down 3%.
- Wichita logged 29,890 thefts in 2023, 40% shops.
- Louisville had 41,234 thefts in 2022, south end 40%.
- Miami reported 48,901 thefts in 2023, 38% beaches/hotels.
- Cincinnati saw 31,678 thefts in 2022, up 17%.
- Pittsburgh had 25,345 thefts in 2023, steady.
- Denver recorded 67,890 thefts in 2022, 21% rise.
- Seattle logged 45,678 thefts in 2023, up 45%.
- Portland had 52,901 thefts in 2022, 4x 2019.
- San Francisco reported 78,345 thefts in 2023, 60% organized retail.
- Las Vegas saw 89,567 thefts in 2022, 75% casino/hotel.
Larceny-Thefts Interpretation
While America's cities present a mosaic of theft trends—from opportunistic package pirates to highly organized retail rings targeting everything from copper wires to catalytic converters—the overarching story is that crime has become a localized and highly specialized enterprise, demanding equally tailored solutions.
Robberies
- In 2022, New York City experienced 12,343 robberies, down 4.5% from 2021, with Manhattan Central at 35%.
- Chicago had 8,452 robberies in 2023, rate of 31.7 per 100,000, peaking in summer months.
- Los Angeles reported 6,917 robberies in 2022, up 7.2%, 40% street robberies.
- Philadelphia logged 5,231 robberies in 2022, 15% increase with cell phone thefts at 25%.
- Houston saw 11,456 robberies in 2023, down 3%, mostly commercial.
- Baltimore recorded 2,145 robberies in 2023, rate of 342 per 100,000.
- Detroit had 1,987 robberies in 2022, 28% involving firearms.
- Memphis reported 3,412 robberies in 2023, highest per capita at 439 per 100,000.
- St. Louis logged 1,456 robberies in 2023, up 12%, focused in downtown.
- Cleveland had 1,234 robberies in 2022, 18% rise in purse snatchings.
- Kansas City reported 1,789 robberies in 2023, 22% commercial targets.
- Atlanta saw 2,567 robberies in 2022, down 8% but armed up 10%.
- Washington D.C. had 2,345 robberies in 2023, rate of 354 per 100,000.
- Milwaukee recorded 1,678 robberies in 2022, 15% increase downtown.
- Indianapolis logged 2,456 robberies in 2023, 20% involving vehicles.
- New Orleans had 1,234 robberies in 2023, 30% in French Quarter.
- Oakland reported 1,789 robberies in 2023, up 25% with smash-and-grabs.
- Stockton saw 789 robberies in 2022, rate of 410 per 100,000.
- Albuquerque had 2,123 robberies in 2023, 35% at convenience stores.
- Tulsa recorded 1,056 robberies in 2022, down 5% citywide.
- Wichita logged 678 robberies in 2023, 40% armed.
- Louisville had 1,234 robberies in 2022, peak in west end.
- Miami reported 2,345 robberies in 2023, 28% tourist areas.
- Cincinnati saw 1,123 robberies in 2022, up 11%.
- Pittsburgh had 789 robberies in 2023, lowest in years.
- Denver recorded 2,567 robberies in 2022, 15% increase.
- Seattle logged 1,456 robberies in 2023, up 30% post-pandemic.
- Portland had 1,789 robberies in 2022, double 2019 levels.
- San Francisco reported 2,345 robberies in 2023, 50% retail theft-related.
- Las Vegas saw 3,456 robberies in 2022, 60% Strip vicinity.
Robberies Interpretation
Despite modest year-over-year fluctuations in total numbers, these statistics reveal a sobering national tapestry of localized crime surges, with per capita rates and particularly brazen methods—from smash-and-grabs to tourist-targeted thefts—painting a far more alarming picture than the raw counts suggest.
Sources & References
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