Violent Crime Victimization Fell 25% in 2025, New DOJ Survey Shows

WASHINGTON (October 30, 2026) – A new federal survey says Americans were far less likely to become victims of violent crime in 2025. The Justice Department's preliminary National Crime Victimization Survey estimates that violent crime victimization fell about 25% compared with 2024.

Key Findings

• Serious violent victimization (rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault) fell from 9.9 to 7.4 victims per 1,000 people age 12 and older.
• That is roughly 669,000 fewer violent crimes than the year before.
• Robbery victimization: down 27%
• Property crime victimization: down 19%
• Burglary and trespassing: down 25%
• Motor vehicle theft: down 29%

What Is the NCVS?

The National Crime Victimization Survey is run by the Census Bureau and published by the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics. Unlike FBI statistics, which mainly count crimes reported to police, this survey asks people directly about crimes they experienced, including those never reported. The 2025 results are based on 101,980 household interviews.

How Does It Compare With FBI Data?

Earlier this year, preliminary FBI data also showed a drop in violent crime in 2025, including a sharp fall in murder. The survey suggests the decline may be even larger for some crimes. For example, the survey shows aggravated assault victimization down 31%, while FBI figures showed reported aggravated assaults down about 7%.

Why Is the Gap So Big?

The two sources measure different things. FBI data counts offenses reported to police, while the survey estimates what people say they experienced. Differences between the two are normal, and they do not always move by the same amount.

Important Caveats

• Preliminary data: The survey used a fully redesigned questionnaire starting in January 2025, so the Bureau of Justice Statistics labels these results preliminary. Final 2025 estimates are expected in 2027.
• Response rate: About 53% of eligible households completed interviews.
• Cause not measured: The Justice Department credited federal enforcement efforts for the decline. The survey itself measures how much crime fell, not why, and researchers often point to several possible factors.

What This Means for You

National numbers do not describe every neighborhood. Crime still varies widely by state, city, and even street. Check your local police department's crime map and keep basic safety habits: lock vehicles, light your entrances, and report suspicious activity.

Related: Most Dangerous States in the USA 2026 (FBI Data) | Top 10 Scams in the USA 2026

Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Preliminary Victimization Estimates from the NCVS, 2025; FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data; reports from CBS News and other outlets. We will update this post when final data is released.