Crime continues historic decline as homicide rates approach century lows

Homicide rates in U.S. cities declined by 18% in the first half of 2026, with 215 fewer killings across 30 cities compared to 2025. A report by the Council on Criminal Justice attributes the drop to macro-level forces like changes in criminal justice operations, technology, and social shifts, though the decline was not universal, with Minneapolis and three other cities reporting higher rates than 2019.