BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBMA) — New national crime data suggests the United States is on pace for a significant drop in homicides this year, and local numbers from Birmingham show an even steeper decline.
According to the Real-Time Crime Index, the national murder rate is down about 20 percent year-over-year. The index compiles data from 570 law enforcement agencies nationwide and excludes cases of manslaughter or negligent homicide. While official FBI crime statistics for 2025 have not yet been released, researchers say the index has historically tracked closely with federal data. Both the FBI and independent crime databases show homicide rates have been declining since the 2020–2021 surge.
Local crime data from Birmingham mirrors and exceeds the national trend. According to the city’s latest year-to-date crime report, Birmingham has recorded 84 murders as of December 22, 2025, compared to 152 at the same point in 2024, marking a 44.7 percent decrease in homicides citywide…