Americans experienced significantly fewer violent crimes in 2025, with victimization rates falling 25% compared to the previous year, according to newly released federal survey data from the Department of Justice.

Major Declines Across Crime Categories

The National Crime Victimization Survey, conducted by the Census Bureau and released by the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics, documented an estimated 669,000 fewer violent crimes in 2025 compared with 2024, excluding simple assaults. Aggravated assault victimization saw the steepest decline, dropping 31% with approximately 390,000 fewer incidents reported. Robbery decreased 27% during the same period, reflecting broad improvements in public safety across multiple categories of violent crime.

Property crimes also showed substantial reductions throughout 2025. Motor vehicle theft fell 29%, while burglary and trespassing incidents decreased 25%. Overall property crime victimization declined 19% year-over-year. The survey gathered data from 101,980 household interviews, with 53% of eligible households completing the questionnaire. Participants aged 12 and older answered questions about criminal victimization frequency, characteristics, and consequences they experienced.

The Washington Times

@WashTimes

Violent crime dropped by its largest rate ever last year, according to preliminary Department of Justice data from its annual victim survey, which showed a 25% decline. trib.al/FJeO0lT

Violent crime saw biggest-ever drop in 2025 in victims survey

washingtontimes.com

1:47 PM · Oct 26, 2026

FBI Data Confirms Downward Trend

The findings align with separate data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, which compiles information from law enforcement agencies nationwide. That report similarly recorded significant decreases across multiple crime categories. Aggravated assaults fell 7.2%, rapes declined 7.6%, and robbery dropped approximately 18.5% according to the FBI’s police-reported statistics. The convergence of both victim survey data and law enforcement reports strengthens confidence in the overall downward crime trend.

Political Implications and Unusual Rollout

President Trump and his political allies have highlighted the declining violent crime rates while campaigning ahead of the midterm elections, aiming to help Republicans maintain control of both the Senate and House of Representatives. In a departure from previous practice, the White House announced the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report findings before a campaign event on Long Island, New York. Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel attended the event alongside the President, underscoring the administration’s emphasis on the improved crime statistics as evidence of effective law enforcement policies.