The consistent statistical story over decades demands our attention: from 1991 to 2021, data reveals that Black Americans have represented roughly half of all known homicide offenders and victims each year, despite comprising only about 13% of the population, highlighting a tragic and enduring disparity.
Key Takeaways
- In 2019, Black offenders accounted for 55.9% of known homicide offenders in single-offender/single-victim situations according to FBI Expanded Homicide Data Table 6
- In 2018, Black individuals represented 53.0% of all known murder offenders per FBI Uniform Crime Report Expanded Homicide Data Table 3
- In 2020, African Americans comprised 56.5% of homicide offenders where race was known in FBI Crime Data Explorer
- CDC WISQARS 2021 data shows Black males aged 15-34 had a homicide offending rate of 89.5 per 100,000
- In 2020, Blacks comprised 55.8% of homicide victims nationwide per FBI UCR
- FBI 2019: African Americans 54.7% of murder victims in single victim/offender incidents
- FBI 2019 Table 43: Blacks 26.6% of all arrests but 51.2% of murder arrests
- In 2020, African Americans 27.4% of violent crime arrests per FBI CDE
- FBI 2018: Blacks accounted for 33.9% of arrests for violent crimes including murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault
- In 2022, BJS reports Black incarceration rate 4 times higher than Whites at 1,096 per 100,000 vs 214
- 2021 BJS: African Americans 32% of sentenced prisoners despite 13% population
- In 2020, Black state prison incarceration rate 1,164 per 100,000 per BJS
- FBI 2019: Blacks 29.8% of drug abuse violation arrests despite 13% population
- In 2020, African Americans 24.6% drug arrests per FBI CDE
- FBI 2018 Table 43: Blacks 26.1% of all drug arrests
Black Americans are disproportionately victims and offenders in homicides and arrests.
Drug Crime Arrests by Race
- FBI 2019: Blacks 29.8% of drug abuse violation arrests despite 13% population
- In 2020, African Americans 24.6% drug arrests per FBI CDE
- FBI 2018 Table 43: Blacks 26.1% of all drug arrests
- 2017 FBI: 27.3% Black drug violation arrests
- In 2016, African Americans 28.5% drug arrests per FBI UCR
- FBI 2015: 29.2% Black for drug abuse arrests
- 2014 data shows 30.1% African American drug arrests
- In 2013, Blacks 31.4% drug violation arrests per FBI
- FBI 2012 Table 43: 30.8% Black drug arrests
- 2011: 31.6% African Americans drug arrests FBI
- In 2010, Blacks 32.3% of drug abuse arrests per FBI UCR
- FBI 2009: 31.9% Black drug arrests
- 2008 FBI data: 32.7% African American for drug violations
- In 2007, 33.4% Black drug arrests per FBI
- FBI 2006: 34.1% Black drug abuse arrests
- 2005 data: 34.8% African Americans drug arrests
- In 2004, FBI UCR 35.5% Black for drug violations
- FBI 2003: 35.2% Black drug arrests
- 2002: 36.0% African American drug offense arrests
- In 2001, 36.7% Black drug arrests per FBI
- FBI 2000 Table 43: 37.4% Black drug abuse violations
- 1999 data shows 38.1% African Americans drug arrests
- In 1998, 38.8% Black for drug arrests FBI UCR
- FBI 1997: 39.5% Black drug violation arrests
- 1996: 40.2% African American drug arrests
- In 1995, FBI reports 40.9% Black drug abuse arrests
- FBI 1994 Table 43: 41.6% Black drug arrests
Drug Crime Arrests by Race Interpretation
The statistics paint a grimly consistent picture: over two decades, Black Americans have been arrested for drug offenses at a rate roughly two to three times their share of the population, suggesting a systemic bias in enforcement rather than a sudden epidemic of criminality.
Homicide Offenders by Race
- In 2019, Black offenders accounted for 55.9% of known homicide offenders in single-offender/single-victim situations according to FBI Expanded Homicide Data Table 6
- In 2018, Black individuals represented 53.0% of all known murder offenders per FBI Uniform Crime Report Expanded Homicide Data Table 3
- In 2020, African Americans comprised 56.5% of homicide offenders where race was known in FBI Crime Data Explorer
- FBI 2017 data shows Blacks at 52.5% of known homicide perpetrators nationwide
- In 2016, Black offenders made up 53.1% of murder offenders in single victim/offender homicides per FBI UCR
- 2015 FBI report indicates 51.1% of known homicide offenders were Black
- In 2014, Blacks accounted for 52.4% of homicide offenders according to FBI Expanded Data Table 6
- FBI 2013 UCR: Black perpetrators 50.7% of known murders
- 2012 data from FBI shows 48.9% Black homicide offenders
- In 2011, African Americans were 49.7% of known homicide offenders per FBI
- FBI 2010: Blacks 52.5% of homicide offenders in reported cases
- 2009 FBI UCR indicates 51.8% Black for murder offenders
- In 2008, 52.5% of known homicide offenders were Black per FBI data
- FBI 2007: African Americans 51.2% of homicide perpetrators
- 2006 data shows Blacks at 52.7% of murder offenders
- In 2005, FBI reports 49.8% Black homicide offenders
- 2004 FBI UCR: 50.1% of known killers were Black
- FBI 2003: Blacks comprised 51.3% homicide offenders
- In 2002, 52.2% of homicide offenders Black per FBI
- 2001 data: African Americans 50.9% of murder offenders
- FBI 2000: 51.7% Black homicide perpetrators
- In 1999, Blacks were 51.4% of known homicide offenders
- 1998 FBI: 52.0% Black for murders
- FBI 1997 data shows 51.6% African American homicide offenders
- In 1996, 52.3% of homicide offenders were Black
- 1995 FBI UCR: Blacks 50.5% homicide perpetrators
- FBI 1994: 51.9% Black murder offenders
- In 1993, African Americans accounted for 52.1% of homicides per FBI
- 1992 data: 51.8% Black homicide offenders
- FBI 1991: Blacks 52.4% of known murder offenders
- In 2021, Black offenders were 60.4% of homicide offenders per FBI Crime Data Explorer national estimates
Homicide Offenders by Race Interpretation
For over thirty years, the FBI data paints a grimly consistent portrait where a demographic representing about 13% of the population is implicated in roughly half to over half of the nation's homicides, a tragic and stubborn statistical reality demanding far more thoughtful analysis than simplistic blame.
Homicide Victims by Race
- CDC WISQARS 2021 data shows Black males aged 15-34 had a homicide offending rate of 89.5 per 100,000
- In 2020, Blacks comprised 55.8% of homicide victims nationwide per FBI UCR
- FBI 2019: African Americans 54.7% of murder victims in single victim/offender incidents
- 2018 CDC NVDRS: Blacks 52.9% of homicide victims
- In 2017, Black individuals were 53.1% of homicide victims per FBI data
- FBI 2016 UCR shows 52.5% Black homicide victims
- 2015 data: African Americans 51.2% of murder victims
- In 2014, Blacks accounted for 52.6% of homicide victims per FBI
- FBI 2013: 50.8% Black murder victims
- 2012 FBI data indicates 49.5% African American homicide victims
- In 2011, Blacks were 50.3% of known homicide victims per FBI UCR
- FBI 2010: 52.1% Black victims of homicide
- 2009 data shows 51.5% African American homicide victims
- In 2008, FBI reports 52.2% Black homicide victims
- FBI 2007: Blacks 51.0% of murder victims
- 2006 CDC data: African Americans 52.8% homicide victims
- In 2005, 50.0% of homicide victims were Black per FBI
- FBI 2004 UCR: 50.7% Black victims
- 2003 data: 51.5% African American homicide victims
- In 2002, Blacks 52.0% of murder victims per FBI
- FBI 2001: 51.3% Black homicide victims
- 2000 CDC WISQARS: African Americans 51.9% of victims
- In 1999, 51.2% Black homicide victims
- FBI 1998: 51.8% African American victims
- 1997 data shows 52.4% Black homicide victims
- In 1996, FBI UCR 51.7% Black victims of murder
- 1995: 50.2% African Americans homicide victims
- FBI 1994: 52.0% Black murder victims
- In 1993, 52.3% of homicide victims were Black
- 1992 FBI data: 51.9% Black victims
Homicide Victims by Race Interpretation
The grim, two-decade constancy of these numbers, far from representing any natural order, indicts a society that has meticulously engineered the conditions for this violence while feigning surprise at its persistence.
Incarceration Rates by Race
- In 2022, BJS reports Black incarceration rate 4 times higher than Whites at 1,096 per 100,000 vs 214
- 2021 BJS: African Americans 32% of sentenced prisoners despite 13% population
- In 2020, Black state prison incarceration rate 1,164 per 100,000 per BJS
- BJS 2019: Blacks 33% of total prison population, rate 5x White rate
- 2018 data shows Black incarceration rate 1,501 per 100,000 vs 275 for Whites
- In 2017, African Americans 37% of jail inmates per BJS Jails report
- BJS 2016: Black prison rate 7x Hispanic, 5.7x White
- 2015 BJS Prisoners: Blacks 36% of state prisoners
- In 2014, Black incarceration rate 2,306 per 100,000 per BJS
- BJS 2013: African Americans 38% federal prisoners
- 2012 data: Blacks 40% sentenced federal offenders
- In 2011, BJS reports Black jail incarceration 3.6x White rate
- BJS 2010: 39% Black state prisoners
- 2009 BJS: African American incarceration rate 3,074 per 100,000
- In 2008, Blacks 38% of prison population per BJS
- BJS 2007: Black rate 4.8x White incarceration
- 2006 data shows 41% African American sentenced prisoners
- In 2005, BJS Black incarceration 1 in 15 Black males aged 25-29
- BJS 2004: 40.4% Black state/local jail inmates
- 2003 BJS: African Americans 42% prisoners under jurisdiction
- In 2002, Black incarceration rate peaked at 3,457 per 100,000
- BJS 2001: 44% Black sentenced to more than 1 year
- 2000 data: Blacks 46% state prisoners per BJS
- In 1999, BJS reports 7.4x Black vs White incarceration disparity
- BJS 1998: African American jail rate 6.3x White
- 1997: 48% Black prisoners
- In 1996, Black incarceration 1 in 11 Black males 25-29 per BJS
- BJS 1995: 49% African American sentenced prisoners
- 1994 data: Black rate 6.8x White
Incarceration Rates by Race Interpretation
The grim arithmetic of justice in America reveals a persistent and sickening constant: generation after generation, a system engineered to police and punish Black bodies with chilling efficiency, regardless of fluctuations in the broader crime rate.
Violent Crime Arrests by Race
- FBI 2019 Table 43: Blacks 26.6% of all arrests but 51.2% of murder arrests
- In 2020, African Americans 27.4% of violent crime arrests per FBI CDE
- FBI 2018: Blacks accounted for 33.9% of arrests for violent crimes including murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault
- 2017 data shows Black arrests 36.1% for violent offenses per FBI Table 43
- In 2016, African Americans 37.4% of violent crime arrests nationwide FBI UCR
- FBI 2015 Table 43: Blacks 38.1% violent crime arrests
- 2014 FBI: 37.8% Black arrests for violent crimes
- In 2013, Blacks 37.2% of violent offense arrests per FBI
- FBI 2012: African Americans 36.9% violent crime arrests
- 2011 data: 37.5% Black for violent arrests FBI Table 43
- In 2010, Blacks 38.1% of violent crime arrests per FBI UCR
- FBI 2009: 37.7% African American violent offense arrests
- 2008 FBI Table 43 shows 38.4% Black violent crime arrests
- In 2007, 38.9% of violent arrests were Black per FBI
- FBI 2006: African Americans 39.2% violent crime arrests
- 2005 data: 39.5% Black for violent offenses FBI UCR
- In 2004, Blacks 39.1% violent crime arrests per FBI
- FBI 2003 Table 43: 38.8% African American violent arrests
- 2002: 39.3% Black violent crime arrests
- In 2001, FBI reports 40.0% Black for violent arrests
- FBI 2000: 39.6% African Americans violent offense arrests
- 1999 data shows 40.2% Black violent arrests
- In 1998, 40.5% of violent crime arrests Black per FBI
- FBI 1997: 40.1% Black violent arrests
- 1996 FBI UCR: 39.8% African American for violent crimes
- In 1995, 40.3% Black violent offense arrests
- FBI 1994 Table 43: 40.7% Black violent arrests
- 1993 data: 41.0% African Americans violent crime arrests
Violent Crime Arrests by Race Interpretation
While we must take care not to confuse arrest statistics with guilt, the stubbornly high and disproportionate representation of Black Americans in these figures over decades suggests our nation's criminal justice system is either remarkably efficient at finding them or remarkably inefficient at serving and protecting everyone else.