Violent and Property Crime Decline Sharply in 2025
Preliminary federal survey data show violent victimization fell 25% and property victimization fell 19% between 2024 and 2025.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Property Crime
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The Bureau of Justice Statistics released preliminary National Crime Victimization Survey findings showing steep declines in violent and property victimization in 2025. Americans aged 12 or older experienced an estimated 7.5 million violent victimizations that year.
Why it matters
The findings point to a substantial drop in crime experienced by Americans across the country, based on a survey that captures both reported and unreported incidents. Because the estimates are preliminary and the survey was redesigned in January 2025, the magnitude of the decline may be revised in the final report.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics has published only preliminary 2025 estimates, with a final report expected next year. Federal preliminary data indicates crime declines continued into 2026, though the extraction does not provide those figures.
The players
Bureau of Justice Statistics
The Bureau of Justice Statistics is the principal federal agency responsible for collecting and analyzing statistical data on crime, criminal offenders, and the operation of the justice system in the United States.
The details
The National Crime Victimization Survey interviews people aged 12 or older about violent crime excluding homicide and household property crime, capturing both reported and unreported incidents. Aggravated assault fell 31%, robbery fell 27%, motor vehicle theft fell 30%, and burglary or trespassing fell 25%, while rape and sexual assault fell 11%.
Timeline
2024: baseline year for the rate comparisons.
January 2025: Bureau of Justice Statistics fully transitioned to the redesigned survey.
2025: year the victimization declines were measured.
November 6, 2026: federal preliminary report released the week before the midterm elections.
Next year: expected release of the final Bureau of Justice Statistics report.
Legal Context
The 2025 estimates come from the National Crime Victimization Survey after the Bureau of Justice Statistics fully transitioned to a redesigned instrument in January 2025, which uses shorter, more specific questions to help respondents recall incidents, including those never reported to police. Because the survey captures unreported crime, its trends can diverge from police-reported statistics that rely solely on offenses brought to law enforcement.
The decline in property victimization, including an estimated 14.9 million household property victimizations in 2025, reflects a lower likelihood that households experienced theft or burglary. Readers gauging personal safety can use these national trends alongside local conditions, though the figures describe national averages rather than specific neighborhoods.
The takeaway
National victimization estimates offer a different view of crime than police reports because they include incidents never reported to authorities. The 2025 figures are preliminary, so readers should watch for the final Bureau of Justice Statistics report before drawing firm conclusions.
What happens next
The Bureau of Justice Statistics is expected to release its final 2025 report next year, which may revise the preliminary estimates.
Further reading
Explore more Property Crime trends and data across the United States.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Stateline.
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