Homicides in the United States decline in 2025, reaching what multiple outlets describe as the lowest rate in roughly a century. The Independent reports the homicide rate drops 18.1% to the lowest level since 1956, citing FBI figures. CBS News says murders fall by more than 20% and that the 2025 national homicide rate may be the lowest recorded since 1900, based on a study it cites.
Both reports attribute the change to nationally tracked crime statistics compiled for 2025, and both characterize the overall trend as a major decrease from the previous year. However, they differ in the exact percentage change and the historical comparison point. The Independent uses an 18.1% decline and compares the result to 1956, while CBS frames the decrease as greater than 20% and compares it to the earliest period back to 1900. These differences likely reflect use of different measures or time ranges in the underlying data and analysis.
