Were rates of homicides and shootings higher than normal in the US in 2020?
By EconoFact
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YES
The national murder rate in 2020 was 25% higher than in 2019 at about 6 murders per 100,000 people. Although this was the highest annual rate so far this century, it was also lower than at any time from 1968 through 1999. Significantly, other forms of violent crime, such as armed robberies, were down in 2020. The overall crime rate actually fell 23% over the year—seemingly associated with stay-at-home orders—despite an increase in some violent crimes during the protests associated with George Floyd’s murder. Given that homicides and shootings in most cities are related to drug or gang activities, the increase in these crimes specifically may be linked to disruptions in drug markets and other organized criminal enterprises.
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Sources
City Crime Stats (Penn Quatrone Center) Crime in Major US Cities
National Gang Center National Youth Gang Survey Analysis: Measuring the Extent of Gang Problems
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