Crime continues historic decline as homicide rates approach century lows

Homicide rates in the U.S. continued a historic decline in 2026, with a 18% drop across 30 cities, according to a Council on Criminal Justice report. The decline, which builds on a post-2022 trend, saw 215 fewer killings in the first half of 2026 compared to 2025, though Minneapolis and three other cities reported higher rates than 2019 levels.