While headlines focus on political turmoil and economic fluctuations, the FBI's latest crime report reveals a more intimate and chilling American crisis, where over 21,000 lives were lost to homicide in 2022, four in five of them by firearm, and justice remained elusive with more homicides going unsolved than ever before.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the United States recorded 21,156 murders and nonnegligent manslaughters, marking a 0.3% increase from 2021 according to FBI data.
- The homicide rate in the US reached 6.5 per 100,000 population in 2022, the highest since 1996 per FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
- Firearm-related homicides accounted for 79% of all homicides in 2021, totaling 19,384 deaths as reported by the CDC.
- In 2022, aggravated assaults totaled 844,835 incidents nationwide, up 2.8% from 2021 per FBI UCR.
- Robbery offenses decreased 1.8% in 2022 to 202,962 incidents per FBI Crime Data Explorer.
- Simple assaults reported to police numbered over 1.2 million in 2021 per National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS).
- In 2022, burglary offenses fell 6.1% to 539,000 incidents per FBI UCR.
- Larceny-theft totaled 5.5 million incidents in 2022, down 4.5% per FBI.
- Motor vehicle thefts surged 17% to 1 million in 2023 preliminary data per FBI.
- Drug possession arrests totaled 629,000 in 2022, down 20% from 2019 per FBI.
- Opioid overdose deaths reached 81,806 in 2022 per CDC National Vital Statistics.
- Fentanyl seizures hit 27,000 pounds in 2023 FY per DEA.
- Cybercrime complaints reached 880,418 in 2023, causing $12.5 billion losses per FBI IC3.
- Phishing scams topped IC3 complaints at 298,878 in 2023 per FBI.
- Business email compromise (BEC) fraud losses were $2.9 billion in 2023 per IC3.
The U.S. crime rate in 2022 revealed a complex mix of rising homicides and falling property offenses.
Assault and Robbery
1In 2022, aggravated assaults totaled 844,835 incidents nationwide, up 2.8% from 2021 per FBI UCR.
Verified2Robbery offenses decreased 1.8% in 2022 to 202,962 incidents per FBI Crime Data Explorer.
Verified3Simple assaults reported to police numbered over 1.2 million in 2021 per National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS).
Verified4Aggravated assaults with firearms increased 11% from 2019 to 2021 per Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Directional5Street robberies accounted for 38% of all robberies in urban areas in 2022 per FBI NIBRS.
Single source6Domestic violence assaults comprised 25% of aggravated assaults in 2021 per BJS NCVS.
Verified7Robbery rate was 58.1 per 100,000 in 2022, highest in the Northeast per FBI.
Verified8Barroom assaults rose 15% post-COVID lockdowns in 2022 per NIJ study.
Verified9Acquaintance assaults made up 60% of violent victimizations excluding homicide per NCVS 2021.
Directional10Convenience store robberies totaled 4,500 incidents in 2022 per National Retail Federation.
Single source11Aggravated assault clearance rate was 53.7% in 2022 per FBI.
Verified12Male victims of robbery increased 5% in 2022 per NCVS.
Verified13Workplace assaults affected 2 million workers in 2021 per BLS survey.
Verified14Purse snatchings and pocket pickings declined 10% in 2022 per FBI.
Directional15School-related assaults totaled 101,800 in 2021-22 per National Center for Education Statistics.
Single source16Highway robberies increased 8% on interstates in 2022 per Highway Patrol data aggregation.
Verified17Stranger-perpetrated assaults were 34% of violent crimes in 2021 per NCVS.
Verified18Bank robberies dropped to 1,425 in 2022, lowest since tracking began per FBI.
Verified19Alcohol involved in 35% of aggravated assaults per NIJ meta-analysis 2020-2022.
Directional20Gas station robberies were 12% of commercial robberies in 2022 per FBI NIBRS.
Single source21Elderly (65+) assault victimization rate was 15.3 per 1,000 in 2021 per NCVS.
Verified22Carjacking incidents totaled 960 in 2022 per National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Verified23Jail assaults on staff reached 20,000 in 2021 per BOP statistics.
Verified24Muggings in public housing up 7% in 2022 per HUD crime reports.
Directional25Home invasion robberies totaled 3,200 in 2022 per FBI NIBRS data.
Single sourceAssault and Robbery Interpretation
While our culture of casual acquaintance-fueled brawls is booming and gunplay in arguments is trending sharply upward, at least we've become a nation of more sophisticated thieves, quietly specializing in carjackings and highway heists while apparently abandoning the quaint arts of bank robbery and pocket-picking.
Cybercrime and Fraud
1Cybercrime complaints reached 880,418 in 2023, causing $12.5 billion losses per FBI IC3.
Verified2Phishing scams topped IC3 complaints at 298,878 in 2023 per FBI.
Verified3Business email compromise (BEC) fraud losses were $2.9 billion in 2023 per IC3.
Verified4Investment fraud complaints totaled 69,000 with $4.5 billion losses in 2023 per FBI IC3.
Directional5Ransomware attacks reported 2,825 incidents costing $24.1 million median ransom per FBI.
Single source6Identity theft complaints were 393,751 in 2023 per IC3 Annual Report.
Verified7Tech support scams defrauded victims of $1.1 billion in 2023 per FBI.
Verified8Cryptocurrency fraud losses hit $5.6 billion in 2023 per Chainalysis report.
Verified9Elder fraud complaints totaled 101,000 with $3.4 billion losses in 2023 per IC3.
Directional10Romance scams caused $1.3 billion losses from 70,000 complaints in 2023 per FBI.
Single source11Online auction fraud reported 15,000 cases with $130 million loss in 2023 per IC3.
Verified12Wire fraud complaints 14,000 with $631 million losses in 2023 per FBI IC3.
Verified13Data breaches exposed 353 million records in 2023 per Identity Theft Resource Center.
Verified14Credit card fraud totaled $1.03 billion losses in 2022 per Federal Reserve payments study.
Directional15Deepfake fraud incidents rose 3x in 2023 per Sumsub report.
Single source16Check fraud losses exceeded $20 billion in 2023 per ABA.
Verified17SIM swapping attacks totaled 1,600 reports in 2023 per IC3.
Verified18Government impersonation scams 19,000 complaints $777 million loss 2023 per FBI.
Verified19NFT scams defrauded $1 billion in 2022 per Chainalysis.
Directional20Healthcare data breaches affected 133 million in 2023 per HHS OCR.
Single source21E-commerce fraud losses projected $48 billion in 2023 per Juniper Research.
Verified22Corporate account takeover losses $2.7 billion 2018-2023 per FBI.
Verified23Voice phishing (vishing) complaints up 58% to 22,000 in 2023 per IC3.
Verified24Real estate wire fraud 11,000 attempts $500 million loss 2023 per NAR.
DirectionalCybercrime and Fraud Interpretation
While the internet was busy connecting humanity, scammers were perfecting their craft, turning 2023 into a year where nearly every click, call, and connection presented a new opportunity for criminals to profit, with phishing attacks leading the charge as the public's most popular—and costly—nuisance.
Drug-Related
1Drug possession arrests totaled 629,000 in 2022, down 20% from 2019 per FBI.
Verified2Opioid overdose deaths reached 81,806 in 2022 per CDC National Vital Statistics.
Verified3Fentanyl seizures hit 27,000 pounds in 2023 FY per DEA.
Verified4Methamphetamine lab incidents fell to 110 in 2022 per El Paso Intelligence Center.
Directional5Cocaine trafficking arrests were 15,000 in 2022 per USSC data.
Single source6Heroin-related arrests dropped 50% from 2018 to 2022 per FBI UCR.
Verified7Marijuana possession arrests were 227,000 in 2022 despite legalization trends per FBI.
Verified8Synthetic cannabinoids seizures up 300% in 2022 per DEA NDTA.
Verified9Drug trafficking organizations operate in all 50 states, with Sinaloa Cartel dominant per DEA.
Directional10Prescription opioid misuse led to 14,716 overdose deaths in 2022 per CDC.
Single source11Darknet drug markets generated $1.7 billion in 2022 per Chainalysis.
Verified12Border drug seizures at ports totaled 2.4 million pounds in FY2023 per CBP.
Verified13Crack cocaine offenders sentenced averaged 126 months in FY2022 per USSC.
Verified14Rural drug overdose rates surpassed urban at 19.9 per 100,000 in 2022 per CDC.
Directional15Pill press/confession seizures reached 379 million in 2023 per DEA.
Single source16Drug courts diverted 150,000 offenders in 2022 per NADCP.
Verified17Methamphetamine use in treatment admissions was 26% in 2022 per SAMHSA.
Verified18Trafficking heroin/fentanyl combo caused 70% of opioid deaths in 2022 per CDC.
Verified19Drug possession conviction rate was 88% in state courts 2020 per BJS.
Directional20Cartel violence linked to 30% of US border drug crimes per DHS 2022.
Single source21Ecstasy/MDMA arrests totaled 4,500 in 2022 per FBI.
Verified22Drug-related prison population was 44,000 federal inmates in 2022 per BOP.
Verified23Xanax counterfeit pills seized 10 million in 2022 per DEA.
VerifiedDrug-Related Interpretation
Even as drug arrests have fallen, overdose deaths have tragically soared, revealing a grim reality where law enforcement successes are overshadowed by the catastrophic human toll of the ongoing epidemic.
Homicide
1In 2022, the United States recorded 21,156 murders and nonnegligent manslaughters, marking a 0.3% increase from 2021 according to FBI data.
Verified2The homicide rate in the US reached 6.5 per 100,000 population in 2022, the highest since 1996 per FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
Verified3Firearm-related homicides accounted for 79% of all homicides in 2021, totaling 19,384 deaths as reported by the CDC.
Verified4In 2020, there were 24,576 homicides in the US, a 30% increase from 2019 amid the COVID-19 pandemic per FBI data.
Directional5Chicago reported 697 homicides in 2022, the highest among major US cities according to Chicago Police Department annual report.
Single source6Black Americans comprised 55.9% of homicide victims in 2022 despite being 13.6% of the population, per FBI UCR data.
Verified7Males accounted for 88.5% of homicide offenders in 2022 FBI statistics.
Verified8The national homicide clearance rate was 52.3% in 2022, down from 61.4% in 2013 per FBI data.
Verified9In 2021, 48% of homicides occurred in just 2% of counties, concentrated in urban areas per CDC analysis.
Directional10Youth homicides (ages 1-17) rose 26% from 2019 to 2021, reaching 2,590 deaths per CDC WONDER database.
Single source11Philadelphia had 516 homicides in 2022, a record high for the city per Philadelphia Police Department.
Verified12Gang-related homicides made up 13% of total homicides in large cities in 2021 per National Gang Center.
Verified13Domestic violence accounted for 13% of female homicides in 2021 per Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Verified14The US homicide victimization rate for Black males aged 15-34 was 89.2 per 100,000 in 2021 per CDC.
Directional15New York City reported 438 homicides in 2022, down 12% from 2021 per NYPD CompStat.
Single source16In 2022, 79% of known homicide offenders were male per FBI Crime Data Explorer.
Verified17Homicides by strangulation increased 37% from 2016-2020 per National Violent Death Reporting System.
Verified18Los Angeles County had 1,258 homicides in 2022 per LA County Sheriff and LAPD combined data.
Verified19Infant homicide rate was 5.6 per 100,000 live births in 2021 per CDC.
Directional20Argument-triggered homicides comprised 52% of cases in 2021 per FBI supplementary homicide reports.
Single source21Baltimore City recorded 335 homicides in 2022 per Baltimore Police Department.
Verified22Homicide-suicide incidents totaled 607 in 2021, killing 1,234 victims per CDC NVDRS.
Verified23The South region had the highest homicide rate at 7.4 per 100,000 in 2022 per FBI.
Verified24St. Louis had a homicide rate of 69.4 per 100,000 in 2022, highest in the US per FBI.
Directional25Felony circumstance homicides (during another crime) were 12% of total in 2022 per FBI SHR.
Single source26Homicides among Hispanics increased 33% from 2019-2021 per CDC provisional data.
Verified27Detroit reported 309 homicides in 2022 per Detroit Police Department.
Verified28Narcotics-induced homicides rose 20% in 2022 in major cities per National Institute of Justice.
Verified29Unknown circumstance homicides were 42% of cases in 2022 due to low clearance rates per FBI.
Directional30Homicide rate for Native Americans was 12.2 per 100,000 in 2021, 2x national average per CDC.
Single sourceHomicide Interpretation
America's uniquely tragic arithmetic reveals a nation where a historic reliance on firearms, stark racial and geographic disparities, and an epidemic of unsolved cases—half of which may never know justice—perpetuate a cycle of violence where arguments escalate to murder and 79% of the victims are claimed by a gun.
Property Crime
1In 2022, burglary offenses fell 6.1% to 539,000 incidents per FBI UCR.
Verified2Larceny-theft totaled 5.5 million incidents in 2022, down 4.5% per FBI.
Verified3Motor vehicle thefts surged 17% to 1 million in 2023 preliminary data per FBI.
Verified4Residential burglaries accounted for 62% of all burglaries in 2022 per FBI NIBRS.
Directional5Shoplifting incidents reached 1.65 million in 2022 per National Retail Federation survey.
Single source6Bike thefts totaled 194,000 reported in 2022 per FBI UCR.
Verified7Arson offenses were 12,362 in 2022, mostly structures per FBI.
Verified8Property crime rate was 1,954 per 100,000 in 2022 per FBI.
Verified9Unreported property crimes totaled 68% of incidents per NCVS 2021.
Directional10Retail theft losses exceeded $112 billion in 2023 per NRF.
Single source11Mail theft complaints rose 161% from 2020 to 2023 per USPS.
Verified12Catalytic converter thefts hit 4,000 per month in 2022 per NICB.
Verified13Vacation home burglaries up 20% during holidays 2022 per FBI alerts.
Verified14Pawn shop fencing accounted for 15% of stolen goods recovery per DOJ.
Directional15Construction site thefts cost $1 billion annually per AGC survey 2022.
Single source16ATM skimming incidents totaled 1,000 in 2022 per FBI IC3.
Verified17Package theft (porch piracy) affected 260 million households in 2022 per Capital One Shopping.
Verified18Art theft value estimated at $8 billion stolen since 1990s per FBI Art Crime Team.
Verified19Yacht and boat thefts reached 4,800 in 2022 per BoatUS.
Directional20Jewelry store smash-and-grabs totaled 100+ in California 2022 per CA DOJ.
Single source21Farm equipment theft up 20% to $500 million loss in 2022 per NICB.
Verified22Vending machine break-ins reported 5,000 incidents in 2022 per NAMA.
Verified23Golf cart thefts surged 50% in Florida 2022 per local PD aggregates.
VerifiedProperty Crime Interpretation
While it's reassuring that traditional burglary and larceny are trending down, the modern criminal has clearly diversified into a portfolio of more specialized and brazen offenses, from catalytic converters and golf carts to porch packages and vacation homes, proving that where there’s a will (and a vulnerable asset), there’s most definitely a way.
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