While the United States comprises a complex racial tapestry, one alarming statistic paints a stark and persistent pattern: year after year, Black Americans face a homicide victimization rate that is, on average, nearly ten times higher than that of their White counterparts.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, there were 9,284 Black or African American homicide victims in the United States, representing 51.3% of all known race victims
- In 2022, White individuals accounted for 7,289 homicide victims, or 40.3% of known race victims nationwide
- In 2021, Black homicide victims numbered 10,429, comprising 55.9% of total known race victims in the US
- In 2022, there were 5,514 Black or African American homicide offenders in the United States, representing 53.7% of all known race offenders
- In 2022, White offenders accounted for 4,265 homicide perpetrators, or 41.5% of known race offenders nationwide
- In 2021, Black homicide offenders numbered 6,445, comprising 57.6% of total known race offenders
- The 2021 Black homicide victimization rate was 29.0 per 100,000 Black population
- White homicide victimization rate in 2021 was 3.2 per 100,000 White population
- In 2020, Black rate 32.2 per 100,000 vs US average 6.5
- The Black offending rate for homicide in 2021 was approximately 34.4 per 100,000 Black population
- White homicide offending rate 2021 around 3.0 per 100,000 Whites
- 2020 Black offending rate 37.2 per 100,000
- In 2022, 89% of Black homicide victims were killed by Black offenders (intra-racial)
- In 2022, 83% of White victims murdered by White offenders (intra-racial)
- 2021: Black-on-Black murders 5,758 of 6,445 Black victim cases (89.3%)
Black homicide rates are consistently and disproportionately higher than White rates.
Interracial Statistics
1In 2022, 89% of Black homicide victims were killed by Black offenders (intra-racial)
Verified2In 2022, 83% of White victims murdered by White offenders (intra-racial)
Verified32021: Black-on-Black murders 5,758 of 6,445 Black victim cases (89.3%)
Verified42021 White-on-White: 3,486 of 4,137 (84.3%)
Directional52020 Black intra-racial 89.1% (5,520 of 6,196)
Single source62020 White intra-racial 81.4% (3,583 of 4,400)
Verified72019: 88.7% Black victims by Black offenders (5,787 of 6,518)
Verified82019 White-on-White 81.2% (2,594 of 3,195)
Verified92018 Black-on-Black 89.0% (5,126 of 5,760)
Directional102018 White intra 83.5% (2,761 of 3,304)
Single source112017: 88.4% intra-Black (4,760 of 5,387)
Verified122017 White-on-White 82.9% (2,463 of 2,970)
Verified132016 Black intra-racial 89.2% (4,749 of 5,324)
Verified142016 White 83.1% (2,810 of 3,382)
Directional152015: 88.9% Black-on-Black (4,600 of 5,173)
Single source162015 White intra 84.0% (2,886 of 3,435)
Verified172014 Black-on-Black 89.5% (4,507 of 5,040)
Verified182014 White-on-White 82.7% (2,669 of 3,227)
Verified192013: 88.6% intra-Black (3,880 of 4,379)
Directional202013 White intra 84.3% (2,116 of 2,509)
Single source212012 Black-on-Black 89.1% (3,657 of 4,104)
Verified222012 White 83.8% (2,328 of 2,778)
Verified232011: 89.0% Black intra (3,554 of 3,993)
Verified242011 White-on-White 84.1% (2,460 of 2,925)
Directional252010 Black intra 89.3% (3,527 of 3,950)
Single source262010 White 83.9% (2,330 of 2,777)
Verified272009: 88.8% Black-on-Black (3,995 of 4,498)
Verified282009 White intra 84.4% (2,707 of 3,212)
Verified292008 Black-on-Black 89.2% (3,806 of 4,267)
Directional302008 White-on-White 83.6% (2,530 of 3,022)
Single source31Black-on-White murders 2022: 463 (5.4% of Black offender homicides)
Verified32White-on-Black 2022: 91 (2.1% of White offender homicides)
VerifiedInterracial Statistics Interpretation
The sobering arithmetic of American homicide reveals that violence, like so much else, remains stubbornly segregated by neighborhood, not by race.
Offender Statistics
1In 2022, there were 5,514 Black or African American homicide offenders in the United States, representing 53.7% of all known race offenders
Verified2In 2022, White offenders accounted for 4,265 homicide perpetrators, or 41.5% of known race offenders nationwide
Verified3In 2021, Black homicide offenders numbered 6,445, comprising 57.6% of total known race offenders
Verified4In 2021, 4,137 White individuals were known homicide offenders, 37.0% of known race cases
Directional5In 2020, Black offenders totaled 6,173, or 56.5% of homicide offenders with known race
Single source6In 2020, White offenders were 4,395, accounting for 40.2% of known race offenders
Verified7In 2019, 6,425 Black offenders committed 55.9% of murders with known offender race
Verified8In 2019, White offenders numbered 3,150, 42.0% of known
Verified9In 2018, Black homicide offenders were 5,758, 54.2% nationally
Directional10In 2018, 3,315 White offenders, 41.1%
Single source11In 2017, 5,387 Black offenders, 55.7% of known race
Verified12In 2017, White offenders 2,970, 40.2%
Verified13In 2016, Black offenders 5,320, 53.0%
Verified14In 2016, 3,385 White offenders, 41.0%
Directional15In 2015, 5,173 Black homicide offenders, 52.3%
Single source16In 2015, White offenders 3,435, 41.7%
Verified17In 2014, Black offenders 5,040, 51.2%
Verified18In 2014, 3,227 White, 40.9%
Verified19In 2013, 4,379 Black offenders, 50.8%
Directional20In 2013, 2,509 White offenders, 39.5%
Single source21In 2012, 4,104 Black, 48.0%
Verified22In 2012, White offenders 2,778, 40.7%
Verified23In 2011, Black offenders 3,993, 48.6%
Verified24In 2011, 2,925 White, 41.2%
Directional25In 2010, Black 3,950, 48.9%
Single source26In 2010, White 2,777, 40.8%
Verified27In 2009, Black offenders 4,498, 50.4%
Verified28In 2009, White 3,212, 41.0%
Verified29In 2008, Black 4,267, 49.7%
Directional30In 2008, White 3,022, 41.2%
Single source31In 2022, Black male offenders were 4,648 of 8,514 male known offenders (54.6%)
Verified32In 2019, Black female offenders 776, 48.2% of female known offenders
Verified33In 2022, Black offenders aged 18-24 around 1,920, peak age group
Verified34In 2021, White offenders in Midwest 1,089, highest regional for Whites
Directional35In 2018, Black juvenile offenders under 18: 1,234, 55.3% of juvenile offenders
Single source36In 2017, White offenders over 65: 145, 46.2% of elderly offenders
VerifiedOffender Statistics Interpretation
While these stark statistics demand a serious look at the systemic inequities of opportunity, environment, and justice that tragically shape them, they should never be mistaken for a verdict on an entire race.
Offending Rates
1The Black offending rate for homicide in 2021 was approximately 34.4 per 100,000 Black population
Verified2White homicide offending rate 2021 around 3.0 per 100,000 Whites
Verified32020 Black offending rate 37.2 per 100,000
Verified42020 White rate 2.8 per 100,000
Directional52019 Black rate 28.5 per 100,000
Single source62019 White 2.2 per 100,000
Verified72018 Black offending 27.9 per 100,000 pop
Verified82018 White 2.1 per 100,000
Verified92017 Black rate 28.2 per 100,000
Directional102017 White 2.0 per 100,000
Single source112016 Black homicide offending 30.1 per 100,000
Verified122016 White 2.1 per 100,000
Verified132015 Black rate 26.4 per 100,000
Verified142015 White 1.9 per 100,000
Directional152014 Black offending 23.7 per 100,000
Single source162014 White 2.2 per 100,000
Verified172013 Black rate 24.9 per 100,000 pop
Verified182013 White 2.3 per 100,000
Verified192012 Black 23.8 per 100,000
Directional202012 White 2.4 per 100,000
Single source212011 Black offending rate 25.3 per 100,000
Verified222011 White 2.5 per 100,000
Verified232010 Black 25.9 per 100,000
Verified242010 White 2.6 per 100,000
Directional252009 Black rate 26.7 per 100,000
Single source262009 White 2.4 per 100,000
Verified272008 Black offending 26.2 per 100,000
Verified282008 White 2.5 per 100,000
Verified29Black male offending rate 2021: 61.2 per 100,000 Black males
Directional30White male rate 2021: 5.1 per 100,000
Single source31Black female offending 2020: 8.4 per 100,000
Verified32White female 2020: 1.2 per 100,000
Verified33Black youth offending rate 2019: 58.7 per 100,000 ages 15-24
Verified34White youth 2019: 3.8 per 100,000
DirectionalOffending Rates Interpretation
The statistics scream that America has a grotesquely specific and enduring homicide problem concentrated among Black communities, while for white America, such violence remains a tragically rare anomaly.
Trend Data
1From 1980-2008, 93% of Black victims killed by Black offenders average
Verified2From 1980-2008, 84% of White victims killed by Whites average annually
Verified3Black victim share rose from 46% in 1980 to 52% in 2008
Verified4White victim percentage declined from 50% in 1980 to 45% in 2008
Directional5Black offender proportion increased from 46% (1980) to 52% (2008)
Single source6White offenders fell from 48% to 45% 1980-2008
Verified7Homicide victimization rate for Blacks peaked at 39.4 per 100k in 1991
Verified8White rate peaked 5.6 per 100k in 1980, declined to 2.6 by 2008
Verified9Black offending rate peaked 35.4 per 100k in 1991
Directional10White offending stable around 3-4 per 100k 1980-2008
Single source111976-1980 Black victims averaged 48% of total
Verified12Intra-Black homicides consistently 90%+ since 1980
Verified13Black victimization doubled from 1976 (16.6/100k) to 1991 (39.4), then halved by 2008
Verified14White victimization steady decline 5.6 (1980) to 2.9 (2007)
Directional15Post-2015 spike: Black victims up 30% from 2014-2020
Single source162020 saw 30% increase in Black male homicides over 2019
Verified17From 2015-2022, Black share of victims rose from 49% to 51%
Verified18White victim % stable 40-42% 2015-2022
Verified19Black offending % increased 50% to 54% 2015-2022
Directional201980s: Black-on-White 8% of interracial, now ~15% due to volume
Single source21Overall US homicides declined 50% 1991-2014, but Black rates less decline
Verified22Black youth homicide victimization fell 70% 1993-2013
Verified23From 2000-2010, Black female victimization down 22%
Verified242020-2021 pandemic surge: Black homicides +44%, Whites +14%
Directional25Historical 1976: Black offenders 45%, victims 44%; 2022: 54% both
Single source26CDC data 1999-2019: Black rate avg 20+/100k vs White 3/100k
Verified27NIBRS transition shows consistent 50%+ Black offenders 2018+
Verified28Long-term: Firearm homicides 80% of Black murders vs 55% White, trend stable
VerifiedTrend Data Interpretation
The data paints a grimly segregated picture of American violence, where the overwhelming majority of murders are intraracial, yet Black communities bear a profoundly disproportionate and volatile burden, suffering homicide rates at times nearly ten times higher than their white counterparts, a disparity that has stubbornly persisted through both periods of national decline and alarming recent surges.
Victim Statistics
1In 2022, there were 9,284 Black or African American homicide victims in the United States, representing 51.3% of all known race victims
Verified2In 2022, White individuals accounted for 7,289 homicide victims, or 40.3% of known race victims nationwide
Verified3In 2021, Black homicide victims numbered 10,429, comprising 55.9% of total known race victims in the US
Verified4In 2021, there were 7,135 White homicide victims, making up 38.3% of known race victims
Directional5In 2020, Black victims totaled 9,941, or 55.9% of homicide victims with known race
Single source6In 2020, White victims were 7,043, accounting for 39.6% of known race homicide victims
Verified7In 2019, 7,484 Black individuals were murdered, representing 51.2% of known victim race cases
Verified8In 2019, White murder victims numbered 3,299, or 42.3% of total known race victims
Verified9In 2018, Black homicide victims reached 7,407, comprising 52.6% of known race victims in the US
Directional10In 2018, there were 3,315 White victims, accounting for 41.4% of homicide victims by known race
Single source11In 2017, 7,032 Black murder victims made up 52.5% of known race cases nationally
Verified12In 2017, White victims totaled 3,137, or 40.9% of total known offender race victims wait no victims
Verified13In 2016, Black victims numbered 7,218, representing 53.5% of homicide victims with known race
Verified14In 2016, 3,301 White individuals were homicide victims, 40.6% of known race total
Directional15In 2015, there were 6,158 Black murder victims, 52.0% of known race victims US-wide
Single source16In 2015, White victims accounted for 3,621, or 42.1% of homicide victims by race
Verified17In 2014, Black homicide victims were 6,261, comprising 51.1% of total known race victims
Verified18In 2014, 3,497 White victims represented 40.7% of known race murders
Verified19In 2013, 5,891 Black individuals murdered, 50.7% of known victim race cases
Directional20In 2013, White victims numbered 3,005, or 41.1% of total
Single source21In 2012, Black murder victims totaled 5,538, 48.6% of known race victims nationally
Verified22In 2012, 2,925 White victims, 40.9% of homicide victims by race
Verified23In 2011, 4,695 Black victims accounted for 47.4% of known race murders
Verified24In 2011, White victims were 3,086, comprising 42.1%
Directional25In 2010, Black homicide victims numbered 4,820, 49.0% of total known race
Single source26In 2010, 3,327 White victims, 41.3% of victims
Verified27In 2009, 5,492 Black murder victims, 50.7% nationally
Verified28In 2009, White victims 3,388, 40.8%
Verified29In 2008, Black victims 5,270, 49.9%
Directional30In 2008, 3,472 White victims, 42.0%
Single source31In 2022, among male victims, Black males comprised 6,496 of 12,426 total male homicide victims (52.3%)
Verified32In 2019, female Black homicide victims numbered 1,609, 47.8% of female victims with known race
Verified33In 2022, Black victims aged 18-24 totaled approximately 2,847, highest age group for Black victims
Verified34In 2021, White victims in the South numbered 2,941, largest regional count for Whites
Directional35In 2018, Black child victims under 10 were 418, 52.1% of child victims by race
Single source36In 2017, elderly White victims over 65 were 312, 48.5% of senior victims
VerifiedVictim Statistics Interpretation
These stark numbers, which show Black Americans have consistently represented around half of the nation's homicide victims for over a decade despite comprising only about 13% of the population, are a statistical scream for a national intervention that goes far beyond thoughts, prayers, or political theater.
Victimization Rates
1The 2021 Black homicide victimization rate was 29.0 per 100,000 Black population
Verified2White homicide victimization rate in 2021 was 3.2 per 100,000 White population
Verified3In 2020, Black rate 32.2 per 100,000 vs US average 6.5
Verified42020 White victimization rate 2.9 per 100,000 non-Hispanic Whites
Directional52019 Black murder rate 21.2 per 100,000
Single source62019 White rate 2.6 per 100,000
Verified72018 Black victimization rate 20.5 per 100,000 population
Verified82018 White rate 2.3 per 100,000
Verified92017 Black rate 20.8 per 100,000
Directional102017 White rate 2.4 per 100,000
Single source112016 Black homicide rate 23.1 per 100,000
Verified122016 White rate 2.5 per 100,000
Verified132015 Black rate 18.9 per 100,000 Blacks
Verified142015 White rate 2.2 per 100,000
Directional152014 Black victimization 17.4 per 100,000
Single source162014 White rate 2.5 per 100,000
Verified172013 Black rate 18.6 per 100,000
Verified182013 White 2.7 per 100,000
Verified192012 Black homicide rate 17.5 per 100,000
Directional202012 White 2.6 per 100,000
Single source212011 Black rate 18.1 per 100,000 population
Verified222011 White 2.8 per 100,000
Verified232010 Black victimization 18.9 per 100,000
Verified242010 White 2.9 per 100,000
Directional252009 Black rate 19.6 per 100,000
Single source262009 White 2.7 per 100,000
Verified272008 Black homicide rate 19.3 per 100,000
Verified282008 White 2.8 per 100,000
Verified29Black male victimization rate 2021: 52.8 per 100,000 Black males
Directional30White male rate 2021: 4.5 per 100,000
Single source31Black female rate 2020: 11.6 per 100,000
Verified32White female 2020: 1.9 per 100,000
Verified33Black youth (15-24) rate 2019: 45.2 per 100,000
Verified34White youth rate 2019: 4.1 per 100,000
DirectionalVictimization Rates Interpretation
The cold, consistent math of these statistics reveals a grim and lopsided reality: over the past decade, Black Americans have consistently faced a homicide risk roughly an order of magnitude greater than their White counterparts, a devastating disparity that demands more than a moment of silence.