Chicago Homicides Have Declined Through September
The city reported a decrease in homicides, shootings, and other violent crimes for the first nine months of 2026.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Violence
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Chicago recorded 321 homicides through September 2026, marking a 3% decrease from the same period in 2025. The city also saw significant year-to-date declines in shootings, carjackings, and other property crimes.
Why it matters
These figures provide a critical update on public safety trends in the city as it continues to track overall crime rates against previous years. The sustained decline in multiple categories suggests a shift in the violent crime trajectory for Chicago residents.
Chicago recorded 31 homicides in September 2026 alongside 136 total shootings that resulted in 165 victims. Year-to-date, carjackings are down 26%, while robberies and burglaries have fallen 21% and 10% respectively.
The players
Chicago Police Department
This local law enforcement agency is responsible for documenting, investigating, and reporting all crime statistics within the city of Chicago.
CTA
The Chicago Transit Authority manages the public transportation system where a 32% decline in violent crime was recently documented.
The details
Data from the Chicago Police Department shows that total shootings have declined 4% year-to-date, with shooting victims down 2%. Additionally, the city reported a 32% decrease in violent crime across the CTA transit system compared to previous metrics.
Timeline
September 2026 served as the final month for the latest quarterly reporting period.
Through September 2026, the city accumulated its year-to-date crime totals.
The year 2025 acts as a comparison baseline for current annual homicide statistics.
The year 2024 serves as a comparison point for long-term homicide reductions.
The year 2010 provides a historic baseline for September homicide data.
Legal Context
These crime statistics follow a pattern set by the 2025 historic low homicide count as the city continues to track downward. Current trends suggest that Chicago is maintaining a trajectory of reduced violent crime that mirrors shifts seen in other major urban jurisdictions.
Residents can monitor these trends to understand shifts in neighborhood safety and local crime reporting. The sustained reduction in carjackings and transit-related violence may inform daily decisions regarding personal travel and commuting habits.
The takeaway
Chicago is currently on pace to see fewer total homicides in 2026 than it recorded in 2025. This consistent downward trend across multiple crime categories serves as a significant marker for the city's ongoing public safety initiatives.
Further reading
Find more updates on public safety trends in the Violence section.
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