The Brief New data collected from major cities across the nation show that homicides have dropped sharply in the first half of 2026. The mid-year report, which examined crime trends in 30 U.S. cities, found homicides fell 18% this year compared with the same period in 2025. The declining trend would be the lowest homicide rate in over a century if it continues through to the end of the year.



New data collected from major cities across the nation show that homicides have dropped sharply in the first half of 2026, part of a continuing three-year decline in violent crime.

What we know:

The mid-year report, which examined crime trends in 30 U.S. cities, found homicides fell 18% this year compared with the same period in 2025. The drop follows a 10% decline last year and marks one of the steepest year-by-year decreases in the past decade. The declining trend would be the lowest homicide rate in over a century if it continues through to the end of the year.

The findings align with federal data that showed national violent crime fell in 2023 and 2024 and appears to be continuing that decline into 2026. The Associated Press, citing the CCJ report, said the drop in homicides is widespread, with most participating cities reporting double-digit decreases.

Despite the encouraging numbers, researchers cautioned that crime remains uneven across neighborhoods and that some cities still continue to struggle with persistent violence.


Stopping the violence

What they're saying:

Researchers say the trend reflects improvements in policing strategies, community-based violence intervention programs and the fading of social and economic disruptions that fueled violence earlier in the decade.

Adam Gelb, the president and CEO of the Council on Criminal Justice, says the biggest factors contributing to the improvements are nationwide and not specific to just one local public safety measure.

 Murder and other crime rates are falling across the map in cities with different political leadership, different housing and econom

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