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
1New York City aggravated assaults reached 25,678 in 2022, up 8.2%, domestic 30%.
Verified2Chicago had 22,345 assaults in 2023, rate 83.8 per 100,000, guns in 45%.
Verified3Los Angeles reported 28,901 assaults in 2022, up 9.5%, street fights 50%.
Verified4Philadelphia logged 19,876 assaults in 2022, 12% increase bars/clubs.
Directional5Houston saw 34,567 assaults in 2023, down 2%, parking lots 25%.
Single source6Baltimore recorded 12,345 assaults in 2023, rate 1,972 per 100,000.
Verified7Detroit had 15,678 assaults in 2022, 35% firearm-involved.
Verified8Memphis reported 23,456 assaults in 2023, per capita 3,019.
Verified9St. Louis logged 11,234 assaults in 2023, up 11%, parks 20%.
Directional10Cleveland had 9,876 assaults in 2022, 25% rise domestic.
Single source11Kansas City reported 13,567 assaults in 2023, 28% bars.
Verified12Atlanta saw 16,789 assaults in 2022, down 5%, clubs 30%.
Verified13Washington D.C. had 10,234 assaults in 2023, rate 1,546 per 100,000.
Verified14Milwaukee recorded 12,345 assaults in 2022, 20% up festivals.
Directional15Indianapolis logged 18,901 assaults in 2023, 32% road rage.
Single source16New Orleans had 9,567 assaults in 2023, 40% Bourbon St.
Verified17Oakland reported 14,678 assaults in 2023, up 28% BART stations.
Verified18Stockton saw 7,890 assaults in 2022, rate 4,103 per 100,000.
Verified19Albuquerque had 17,234 assaults in 2023, 45% domestic.
Directional20Tulsa recorded 10,123 assaults in 2022, down 4%.
Single source21Wichita logged 8,456 assaults in 2023, 42% weapons used.
Verified22Louisville had 13,789 assaults in 2022, east end surge.
Verified23Miami reported 15,678 assaults in 2023, 35% beaches.
Verified24Cincinnati saw 9,234 assaults in 2022, up 15%.
Directional25Pittsburgh had 7,567 assaults in 2023, stable.
Single source26Denver recorded 19,876 assaults in 2022, 19% rise.
Verified27Seattle logged 12,345 assaults in 2023, up 40%.
Verified28Portland had 14,567 assaults in 2022, 3x 2019.
Verified29San Francisco reported 11,234 assaults in 2023, 48% homeless-related.
Directional30Las Vegas saw 20,901 assaults in 2022, 70% casino zones.
Single sourceAggravated 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
1New York City burglaries totaled 18,342 in 2022, down 12% from 2021, Queens highest at 28%.
Verified2Chicago recorded 12,567 burglaries in 2023, rate 47.1 per 100,000, commercial 55%.
Verified3Los Angeles had 15,678 burglaries in 2022, up 6.8%, residential 52%.
Verified4Philadelphia logged 9,876 burglaries in 2022, 10% rise, row homes targeted.
Directional5Houston saw 22,345 burglaries in 2023, down 4%, apartments 40%.
Single source6Baltimore reported 7,890 burglaries in 2023, rate 1,260 per 100,000.
Verified7Detroit had 8,123 burglaries in 2022, 32% vacant properties.
Verified8Memphis logged 10,234 burglaries in 2023, per capita 1,317.
Verified9St. Louis recorded 6,789 burglaries in 2023, up 9%, downtown surge.
Directional10Cleveland had 5,678 burglaries in 2022, 22% increase garages.
Single source11Kansas City reported 7,456 burglaries in 2023, 25% commercial.
Verified12Atlanta saw 8,901 burglaries in 2022, down 7%, condos hit hard.
Verified13Washington D.C. had 5,678 burglaries in 2023, rate 857 per 100,000.
Verified14Milwaukee recorded 6,123 burglaries in 2022, 18% up north side.
Directional15Indianapolis logged 9,876 burglaries in 2023, 28% vehicles broken into.
Single source16New Orleans had 4,567 burglaries in 2023, 35% French Quarter.
Verified17Oakland reported 7,890 burglaries in 2023, up 30% smash-ins.
Verified18Stockton saw 3,456 burglaries in 2022, rate 1,796 per 100,000.
Verified19Albuquerque had 8,901 burglaries in 2023, 42% residential.
Directional20Tulsa recorded 5,123 burglaries in 2022, down 6%.
Single source21Wichita logged 3,789 burglaries in 2023, 38% armed entry.
Verified22Louisville had 6,456 burglaries in 2022, west end 45%.
Verified23Miami reported 7,890 burglaries in 2023, 32% condos.
Verified24Cincinnati saw 4,567 burglaries in 2022, up 13%.
Directional25Pittsburgh had 3,123 burglaries in 2023, stable levels.
Single source26Denver recorded 9,876 burglaries in 2022, 17% rise.
Verified27Seattle logged 6,789 burglaries in 2023, up 35%.
Verified28Portland had 7,456 burglaries in 2022, 2.5x 2019.
Verified29San Francisco reported 12,345 burglaries in 2023, 55% retail.
Directional30Las Vegas saw 11,234 burglaries in 2022, 65% casino areas.
Single sourceBurglaries 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
1In 2022, New York City recorded 438 homicides, a 25.6% decrease from 591 in 2021, with Brooklyn accounting for 40% of total.
Verified2Chicago reported 617 homicides in 2023, the highest since 1994, with a rate of 23.1 per 100,000 residents.
Verified3Los Angeles had 382 homicides in 2022, up 11% from 2021, primarily in South LA neighborhoods.
Verified4Philadelphia logged 516 homicides in 2022, a record high with 56% involving firearms.
Directional5Houston saw 435 homicides in 2023, a 5% increase, with 75% gun-related in urban districts.
Single source6Baltimore recorded 333 homicides in 2023, down 18% from 2022 peak of 406.
Verified7Detroit had 252 homicides in 2022, rate of 38.6 per 100,000, mostly in downtown areas.
Verified8Memphis reported 397 homicides in 2023, highest per capita at 51.3 per 100,000 residents.
Verified9St. Louis logged 200 homicides in 2023, rate of 78.4 per 100,000, focused in north city.
Directional10Cleveland had 162 homicides in 2022, up 20% with 90% involving handguns.
Single source11Kansas City reported 179 homicides in 2023, a 15% rise, 80% in urban core.
Verified12Atlanta saw 172 homicides in 2022, down 10% but highest in Fulton County areas.
Verified13Washington D.C. had 273 homicides in 2023, rate of 41.3 per 100,000, mostly southeast.
Verified14Milwaukee recorded 180 homicides in 2022, up 37% from prior year.
Directional15Indianapolis logged 207 homicides in 2023, primarily on east side neighborhoods.
Single source16New Orleans had 265 homicides in 2023, rate of 57.5 per 100,000 residents.
Verified17Oakland reported 134 homicides in 2023, up 13% with gang involvement in 60%.
Verified18Stockton saw 47 homicides in 2022, highest rate in California at 24.5 per 100,000.
Verified19Albuquerque had 148 homicides in 2023, 70% firearm-related in urban zones.
Directional20Tulsa recorded 77 homicides in 2022, up 25% concentrated downtown.
Single source21Wichita logged 42 homicides in 2023, rate of 14.2 per 100,000.
Verified22Louisville had 171 homicides in 2022, peak post-2020 surge.
Verified23Miami reported 102 homicides in 2023, down 12% in city proper.
Verified24Cincinnati saw 91 homicides in 2022, 85% gun violence.
Directional25Pittsburgh had 56 homicides in 2023, lowest in decade but uptick in Hill District.
Single source26Denver recorded 95 homicides in 2022, 40% increase from 2019.
Verified27Seattle logged 57 homicides in 2023, highest since 1990s.
Verified28Portland had 75 homicides in 2022, triple the 2019 figure.
Verified29San Francisco reported 48 homicides in 2023, up 20% in Tenderloin area.
Directional30Las Vegas saw 141 homicides in 2022, mostly off-Strip urban crimes.
Single sourceHomicides 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
1New York City larceny-thefts numbered 78,901 in 2022, down 5.3%, shops 40%.
Verified2Chicago had 65,234 thefts in 2023, rate 244.7 per 100,000, bikes 15%.
Verified3Los Angeles reported 92,345 thefts in 2022, up 10.2%, retail 55%.
Verified4Philadelphia logged 48,901 thefts in 2022, 14% rise phones.
Directional5Houston saw 112,345 thefts in 2023, down 1%, cars 30%.
Single source6Baltimore recorded 38,567 thefts in 2023, rate 6,160 per 100,000.
Verified7Detroit had 45,678 thefts in 2022, 28% copper wiring.
Verified8Memphis reported 67,890 thefts in 2023, per capita 8,735.
Verified9St. Louis logged 34,567 thefts in 2023, up 13%, malls 25%.
Directional10Cleveland had 32,901 thefts in 2022, 27% packages.
Single source11Kansas City reported 41,234 thefts in 2023, 32% retail.
Verified12Atlanta saw 52,678 thefts in 2022, down 6%, airports 20%.
Verified13Washington D.C. had 33,456 thefts in 2023, rate 5,052 per 100,000.
Verified14Milwaukee recorded 38,901 thefts in 2022, 22% up shops.
Directional15Indianapolis logged 56,789 thefts in 2023, 35% porch piracy.
Single source16New Orleans had 28,345 thefts in 2023, 45% tourist spots.
Verified17Oakland reported 45,678 thefts in 2023, up 35% catalytic converters.
Verified18Stockton saw 22,901 thefts in 2022, rate 11,900 per 100,000.
Verified19Albuquerque had 51,234 thefts in 2023, 48% vehicles.
Directional20Tulsa recorded 34,567 thefts in 2022, down 3%.
Single source21Wichita logged 29,890 thefts in 2023, 40% shops.
Verified22Louisville had 41,234 thefts in 2022, south end 40%.
Verified23Miami reported 48,901 thefts in 2023, 38% beaches/hotels.
Verified24Cincinnati saw 31,678 thefts in 2022, up 17%.
Directional25Pittsburgh had 25,345 thefts in 2023, steady.
Single source26Denver recorded 67,890 thefts in 2022, 21% rise.
Verified27Seattle logged 45,678 thefts in 2023, up 45%.
Verified28Portland had 52,901 thefts in 2022, 4x 2019.
Verified29San Francisco reported 78,345 thefts in 2023, 60% organized retail.
Directional30Las Vegas saw 89,567 thefts in 2022, 75% casino/hotel.
Single sourceLarceny-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
1In 2022, New York City experienced 12,343 robberies, down 4.5% from 2021, with Manhattan Central at 35%.
Verified2Chicago had 8,452 robberies in 2023, rate of 31.7 per 100,000, peaking in summer months.
Verified3Los Angeles reported 6,917 robberies in 2022, up 7.2%, 40% street robberies.
Verified4Philadelphia logged 5,231 robberies in 2022, 15% increase with cell phone thefts at 25%.
Directional5Houston saw 11,456 robberies in 2023, down 3%, mostly commercial.
Single source6Baltimore recorded 2,145 robberies in 2023, rate of 342 per 100,000.
Verified7Detroit had 1,987 robberies in 2022, 28% involving firearms.
Verified8Memphis reported 3,412 robberies in 2023, highest per capita at 439 per 100,000.
Verified9St. Louis logged 1,456 robberies in 2023, up 12%, focused in downtown.
Directional10Cleveland had 1,234 robberies in 2022, 18% rise in purse snatchings.
Single source11Kansas City reported 1,789 robberies in 2023, 22% commercial targets.
Verified12Atlanta saw 2,567 robberies in 2022, down 8% but armed up 10%.
Verified13Washington D.C. had 2,345 robberies in 2023, rate of 354 per 100,000.
Verified14Milwaukee recorded 1,678 robberies in 2022, 15% increase downtown.
Directional15Indianapolis logged 2,456 robberies in 2023, 20% involving vehicles.
Single source16New Orleans had 1,234 robberies in 2023, 30% in French Quarter.
Verified17Oakland reported 1,789 robberies in 2023, up 25% with smash-and-grabs.
Verified18Stockton saw 789 robberies in 2022, rate of 410 per 100,000.
Verified19Albuquerque had 2,123 robberies in 2023, 35% at convenience stores.
Directional20Tulsa recorded 1,056 robberies in 2022, down 5% citywide.
Single source21Wichita logged 678 robberies in 2023, 40% armed.
Verified22Louisville had 1,234 robberies in 2022, peak in west end.
Verified23Miami reported 2,345 robberies in 2023, 28% tourist areas.
Verified24Cincinnati saw 1,123 robberies in 2022, up 11%.
Directional25Pittsburgh had 789 robberies in 2023, lowest in years.
Single source26Denver recorded 2,567 robberies in 2022, 15% increase.
Verified27Seattle logged 1,456 robberies in 2023, up 30% post-pandemic.
Verified28Portland had 1,789 robberies in 2022, double 2019 levels.
Verified29San Francisco reported 2,345 robberies in 2023, 50% retail theft-related.
Directional30Las Vegas saw 3,456 robberies in 2022, 60% Strip vicinity.
Single sourceRobberies 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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