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Crime in the United States has declined from 2022 to 2023, according to the FBI. Violent crimes, including murder and rape, have dropped significantly, with murder rates experiencing the largest single-year decline in two decades. Property crime has also decreased, with burglary down by an estimated 7.6%.
However, motor vehicle theft has increased by an estimated 12.6%, and shoplifting incidents have risen to pre-pandemic levels. These increases may be related to store closures and security measures during the pandemic.
Public perception of crime may not always align with the data, as social media and neighborhood communication can amplify awareness of individual incidents. Nonetheless, the FBI’s data shows a decrease in the violent crime rate from 377.1 per 100,000 people in 2022 to 363.8 per 100,000 people in 2023.
Former President Trump’s claims of a crime wave are not supported by the FBI’s data, which includes estimates for cities with populations over 1 million. The bureau’s National Incident-Based Reporting System collected information from 700 additional agencies in 2023, covering over 94% of the US population.
President Biden has credited his administration’s investments in public safety and gun control efforts for the decline in crime. He noted that the American Rescue Plan provided over $15 billion in funding for police budgets and community violence interventions.