Crime Types
Murder Rate
Definition: The number of murders and non-negligent manslaughters per 100,000 residents in a given jurisdiction.
In Detail
The murder rate is arguably the most closely watched crime statistic because it measures the most severe form of crime. In the UCR program, "murder and non-negligent manslaughter" refers to the willful killing of one human being by another, excluding deaths caused by negligence, suicide, accident, or justifiable homicide. The national murder rate in 2023 was approximately 5.7 per 100,000 residents, having declined from a peak of 9.8 per 100,000 in 1991. Murder rates vary enormously by city — the safest communities have rates near zero, while the most affected cities can exceed 50 per 100,000. Criminologists consider the murder rate one of the most reliable crime statistics because, unlike many other crimes, homicides are almost always reported to police and recorded. Property crimes and even assaults often go unreported, but murders rarely do. This makes the murder rate particularly useful for comparing crime levels across different cities and time periods. However, because murder is statistically rare even in high-crime cities, small changes in the number of incidents can cause large percentage swings in the rate, especially in smaller communities. For example, a town of 20,000 going from 1 murder to 3 in a year shows a 200% increase, even though the absolute change is small.
Related Terms
Offenses that involve force or the threat of force against a person, including murder, robbery, aggravated assault, and rape.
The number of crimes per 100,000 residents in a given area, allowing fair comparison between communities of different sizes.
The percentage of reported crimes that result in an arrest or are otherwise "cleared" by law enforcement, indicating how effectively police solve crimes.
The direction and rate of change in crime rates over a period of time, showing whether a city or region is becoming safer or more dangerous.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Murder Rate" mean in crime statistics?
The number of murders and non-negligent manslaughters per 100,000 residents in a given jurisdiction.
Why is murder rate important for understanding crime data?
The murder rate is arguably the most closely watched crime statistic because it measures the most severe form of crime. In the UCR program, "murder and non-negligent manslaughter" refers to the willful killing of one human being by another, excluding deaths caused by negligence, suicide, accident, or justifiable homicide. The national murder rate in 2023 was approximately 5.7 per 100,000 residents, having declined from a peak of 9.8 per 100,000 in 1991.