Homicides and other violent crimes in the United States have fallen to a level not seen in more than 45 years.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported that the number of murders and non-negligent homicides last year fell 4.4% to 14,196, the lowest total since 1968. The murder rate has also been dropping and stands at 4.5 per 100,000 population. Firearms were used in 69% of the murders in 2013.

Violent crimes, a category that includes murder, also dropped 4.4% to 1.16 million last year. Not since 1978, when there were 1.09 million violent crimes, was that figure so low. The rate of violent crime also went down by 5.1% to 367.9 per 100,000.

The Chicago Tribune noted the rate has fallen every year since 1994.

And there was more good news in crime statistics:

·       Rapes fell 6.3%

·       Robberies dropped 2.8%

·       Property crimes declined 4.1%

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

FBI: Violent Crime Drops, Reaches 1970s Level (by Ian Simpson, Chicago Tribune)

Violent Crime Offense Figure (Federal Bureau of Investigation)

Murder Rate Down, but Random Mass Shootings Up (by Matt Bewig, AllGov)