You'd be forgiven for assuming youth crime is skyrocketing, but the reality—revealed by a dramatic 75% plunge in violent youth arrests since 1994 and an overall 80% decline in juvenile arrests since their peak—paints a far more complex and hopeful picture of America's next generation.
Key Takeaways
- In 2021, the youth arrest rate for violent crimes in the United States dropped to 140 per 100,000 youth aged 10-17, a 75% decrease from the peak in 1994.
- Approximately 728,280 juveniles were arrested in 2019, representing a 59% decline from 2000 levels.
- The juvenile violent crime arrest rate in 2020 was 1.3 per 1,000 juveniles ages 10-17, down from 7.2 per 1,000 in 1994.
- Females accounted for 29% of juvenile arrests for simple assault in 2021.
- Black youth comprised 33% of juvenile arrests in 2020, while being 16% of the population.
- Males made up 71% of all juvenile arrests in 2021.
- Simple assaults made up 32% of all juvenile offenses in 2021.
- Property crimes accounted for 42% of juvenile arrests in 2020.
- Drug abuse violations were 9% of juvenile arrests in 2021.
- Juvenile violent crime arrests decreased 3% from 2019 to 2020.
- Overall juvenile arrests fell 80% from 1996 peak to 2021.
- Youth homicide rates rose 30% from 2019 to 2022.
- 67% of juvenile cases resulted in probation in 2022.
- 23% of adjudicated youth were placed out-of-home in 2021.
- Recidivism within 12 months was 25% for probationers in 2019.
Youth crime arrests have dramatically declined overall but certain disparities persist.
Demographics
- Females accounted for 29% of juvenile arrests for simple assault in 2021.
- Black youth comprised 33% of juvenile arrests in 2020, while being 16% of the population.
- Males made up 71% of all juvenile arrests in 2021.
- Hispanic youth represented 25% of juvenile violent crime arrests in 2019.
- White youth accounted for 54% of juvenile arrests despite being 72% of youth population.
- Youth aged 16-17 were arrested at twice the rate of those aged 10-15 in 2021.
- American Indian youth had a violent crime arrest rate 2.5 times higher than whites in 2020.
- 42% of female juvenile arrestees were under 16 in 2019.
- Asian/Pacific Islander youth had the lowest arrest rates at 1.1 per 1,000 in 2021.
- Urban youth males had a 3x higher violent arrest rate than rural counterparts in 2020.
- 28% of juvenile court-involved youth were female in 2022.
- Black females had a simple assault arrest rate 3 times that of white females in 2019.
- Youth from low-income families were 4x more likely to be arrested than high-income peers.
- 62% of arrested youth lived in single-parent households in 2018 surveys.
- Rural youth comprised 19% of juvenile arrests but 22% of population in 2021.
- LGBTQ+ youth were 2-3 times more likely to be justice-involved per 2020 data.
- Immigrant youth had 50% lower delinquency rates than native-born in 2019.
- Youth with disabilities represented 12% of juvenile justice population in 2021.
- Southern states had 35% of national juvenile arrests despite 38% of youth pop.
- Foster care youth were 3x overrepresented in arrests at 7% vs 2% pop.
- Male Black youth aged 15-17 had the highest homicide offending rate of 25 per 100,000.
- 55% of juvenile arrestees dropped out of school prior to arrest in 2019.
- Suburban youth females saw a 15% rise in arrest rates from 2010-2020.
- Native Hawaiian youth had arrest rates 1.8x national average in 2021.
- Homeless youth comprised 20% of chronic juvenile offenders in urban studies.
- Midwest region youth had lowest property crime rates at 18 per 1,000.
- Youth with mental health issues were 4x more likely to be arrested.
- 65% of violent juvenile offenders were male Hispanics aged 14-17 in 2020.
Demographics Interpretation
Behind every statistic lies a story—these numbers are less a map of criminality and more a stark portrait of systemic bias, economic inequality, and the profound failure of our social supports for the young.
Justice Outcomes
- 67% of juvenile cases resulted in probation in 2022.
- 23% of adjudicated youth were placed out-of-home in 2021.
- Recidivism within 12 months was 25% for probationers in 2019.
- Dismissals occurred in 15% of juvenile court cases 2022.
- Average length of juvenile detention stay was 20 days in 2021.
- 85% of youth in facilities had mental health disorders in 2019.
- Transfer to adult court affected 1,300 youth in 2020.
- Restitution ordered in 30% of property crime cases.
- Community service mandated for 40% of probationers.
- 55% of confined youth were in public facilities 2021.
- Rearrest rate for released detainees was 50% within 2 years.
- Diversion used in 50% of delinquency referrals 2022.
- Substance abuse treatment provided to 25% of justice youth.
- Girls received probation at 75% rate vs 65% for boys.
- Cost per juvenile detainee was $661 per day in 2021.
- 10% of cases waived to adult court for violent felonies.
- Educational services in facilities reached 90% of youth.
- Reincarceration rate dropped 15% with RAISE programs.
- Plea bargains in 20% of juvenile adjudications 2022.
- Vocational training for 35% of long-term confined youth.
- 72% of probation violations led to revocation in 2019.
- Family therapy in 15% of court dispositions.
- Post-release supervision averaged 12 months.
- 95% of youth facilities reported COVID outbreaks by 2021.
- Successful probation completion at 70% in 2020 studies.
- Judicial waivers down 60% since 1994 peak.
- Mental health screenings in 85% of intake processes.
- Group homes housed 20% of out-of-home placements.
- 3-year recidivism was 55% for serious offenders.
- Victim-offender mediation in 5% of cases.
- Secure confinement for 25% of felony adjudications.
Justice Outcomes Interpretation
The numbers paint a system that's quick to put a bandage on probation but slow to heal the deep wounds of mental health and trauma that, when left untreated, see half our kids walking right back through the revolving door.
Prevalence and Rates
- In 2021, the youth arrest rate for violent crimes in the United States dropped to 140 per 100,000 youth aged 10-17, a 75% decrease from the peak in 1994.
- Approximately 728,280 juveniles were arrested in 2019, representing a 59% decline from 2000 levels.
- The juvenile violent crime arrest rate in 2020 was 1.3 per 1,000 juveniles ages 10-17, down from 7.2 per 1,000 in 1994.
- In 2018, 25% of all juvenile arrests involved females, up from 15% in 1980.
- Youth aged 15-17 accounted for 52% of all juvenile arrests in 2021 despite being only 32% of the juvenile population.
- The property crime arrest rate for juveniles fell 70% between 1996 and 2020.
- In 2022, simple assaults comprised 28% of all juvenile arrests nationwide.
- Juvenile referral rates to police decreased by 73% from 1996 to 2019.
- In urban areas, the 2021 youth violent crime victimization rate was 12.4 per 1,000, compared to 8.2 in suburban areas.
- About 1 in 10 juveniles arrested in 2020 were for drug abuse violations.
- The self-reported delinquency rate among 12-17 year olds was 42% in 2019 for any offense.
- In 2021, 56,000 youth were placed in residential facilities, down 72% from 2000.
- Youth homicide offending rate peaked at 7.3 per 100,000 in 1993 and fell to 2.1 by 2020.
- 15% of juveniles reported being victimized by crime in school in 2019.
- The juvenile burglary arrest rate declined 85% from 1994 to 2021.
- In 2020, 4.2% of youth aged 12-17 reported selling illegal drugs in the past year.
- Gang-related homicides involving youth offenders dropped 40% from 1996 to 2019.
- 22% of juvenile arrests in 2022 occurred between 3 PM and 7 PM on school days.
- The rate of juvenile arrests for weapons offenses was 24 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Cybercrime reports by youth under 18 increased 20% from 2020 to 2022.
- In 2019, 8% of high school students carried a weapon on school property.
- Juvenile larceny-theft arrests numbered 85,000 in 2021, down 78% from 1996.
- 3.5 per 1,000 youth were arrested for vandalism in 2020.
- Status offense referrals for youth aged 10-17 were 90,000 in 2019.
- The youth robbery victimization rate was 2.1 per 1,000 in 2021.
- In 2022, 12% of juvenile court cases involved females.
- Arson arrests among youth declined 82% from 1996 to 2021.
- 1.8% of youth reported gang involvement in 2019 surveys.
- Juvenile motor vehicle theft arrests fell 88% between 1996 and 2020.
- In 2021, the rate of serious violent offenses by youth was 1.4 per 1,000.
Prevalence and Rates Interpretation
While today's youth are committing far fewer and less serious crimes than the '90s, we've traded in juvenile delinquency for cyber mischief, swapped after-school brawls for digital felonies, and are now left wondering if the real crime is how boring teenage rebellion has become.
Trends and Changes
- Juvenile violent crime arrests decreased 3% from 2019 to 2020.
- Overall juvenile arrests fell 80% from 1996 peak to 2021.
- Youth homicide rates rose 30% from 2019 to 2022.
- Female juvenile arrests increased 27% for simple assault 1980-2021.
- Drug arrests for youth declined 75% since 2000.
- Property crime by juveniles down 72% from 1996 to 2020.
- Detention admissions dropped 70% 2000-2021.
- School crime victimization fell 75% since 1992.
- Gang membership among youth declined 20% 2012-2018.
- Online harassment by youth up 150% 2015-2022.
- Violent victimization of youth down 70% since 1994.
- Juvenile court caseloads decreased 59% 2005-2021.
- Youth suicide linked to bullying up 20% post-2010.
- Arrests for weapons by youth down 60% 1996-2021.
- Truancy referrals fell 50% with virtual schooling 2020-2021.
- Black-White arrest disparities narrowed 15% 2000-2020.
- Pandemic saw 25% drop in juvenile arrests 2020.
- Robbery by youth declined 82% since 1993 peak.
- Foster care entries from justice system down 40% 2010-2021.
- Cybercrime youth perpetrators up 35% 2019-2022.
- Recidivism rates for juveniles fell to 30% post-2015 reforms.
- School shootings involving youth offenders up 50% 2018-2023.
- Alcohol-related youth offenses down 65% 2000-2021.
- Victimization surveys show 15% decline in thefts by peers.
- Diversion programs reduced court referrals 25% 2015-2022.
- Opioid-related youth arrests surged 20% 2016-2019 then fell.
- Homicide victimization for Black youth up 40% 2019-2022.
Trends and Changes Interpretation
The overall arc of youth crime reveals a society that has become remarkably successful at keeping kids safe from traditional harms, yet is utterly failing to protect them from the new, digital chaos they create and endure.
Types of Crimes
- Simple assaults made up 32% of all juvenile offenses in 2021.
- Property crimes accounted for 42% of juvenile arrests in 2020.
- Drug abuse violations were 9% of juvenile arrests in 2021.
- Violent crimes comprised 15% of juvenile court referrals in 2022.
- Larceny-theft was the most common property offense at 25% of arrests.
- Robbery accounted for 4% of juvenile violent crime arrests in 2021.
- Aggravated assault made up 7% of juvenile arrests nationwide in 2020.
- Burglary arrests were 3% of total juvenile arrests in 2021.
- Vandalism comprised 5% of juvenile referrals to court in 2019.
- Murder/non-negligent manslaughter was 1% of juvenile arrests but 10% of violent.
- Motor vehicle theft by juveniles fell to 2% of arrests in 2021.
- Status offenses like truancy were 11% of juvenile court cases in 2022.
- Weapons offenses were 4.5% of juvenile arrests in 2020.
- Arson accounted for 1.2% of juvenile arrests in 2021.
- Sex offenses by juveniles were 2% of arrests, mostly statutory rape.
- Fraud/embezzlement arrests among youth were under 1% in 2021.
- Disorderly conduct was 8% of juvenile arrests in 2020.
- Runaways comprised 4% of status offense referrals in 2019.
- Liquor law violations were 3% of juvenile arrests pre-2020.
- Cyberbullying-related incidents led to 5% increase in school disorderly arrests.
- Gang violence offenses were 13% of youth homicides in 2019.
- Theft from motor vehicles by youth up 10% in urban areas 2021.
- Domestic violence incidents involving youth offenders at 6% of assaults.
- Prostitution arrests for juveniles dropped 90% post-2010.
- School fights accounted for 20% of simple assaults by youth.
- Drug possession was 70% of all youth drug arrests in 2021.
- Rape arrests by juveniles were 0.8% of violent crimes in 2020.
- Shoplifting as subset of larceny was 15% of property arrests.
- Curfew violations 2% of status offenses in 2019.
Types of Crimes Interpretation
While the numbers suggest youth crime is largely a tale of scuffles and stolen sneakers, the sobering reality is that a deeply concerning, though thankfully much smaller, subset involves lethal violence and profound societal failures.
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