In 2025, the nation saw a decrease in violent crime, yet some U.S. cities bucked this trend, experiencing a rise in homicides, sexual assaults, robberies, or aggravated assaults. This divergence comes even as overall national figures show improvement.
A report from the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) examines violent crime statistics from January to September 2025, comparing them to the same timeframe in 2024. The study focuses on four main types of violent crime: homicide, rape or sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault.
The findings reveal a reduction in total violent crime across the nation when measured against the same period in the previous year, spanning all four significant categories.
- Homicide: 4,143 (2025) vs. 5,126 (2024)
- Rape: 20,407 vs. 21,728
- Robbery: 66,501 vs. 81,860
- Aggravated assault: 194,804 vs. 216,466
In Omaha, Nebraska, law enforcement is investigating a shooting at a QuikTrip gas station that resulted in injuries to three officers and the death of the suspect on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. (Photo by Chris Machian/Omaha World-Herald via AP)
The MCCA notes that these figures are initial estimates, gathered through voluntary submissions from participating police departments.
Below is a list of cities and metro areas where, contrary to the national decrease, violent crime has increased locally.
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha reported increases in all four violent crime categories; homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, according to MCCA data.
Police gather in Atlanta on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta saw year-over-year increases in rape, robbery and aggravated assault, bucking national declines across those categories.
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus reported increases in robbery and aggravated assault, even as both crimes fell nationally.
Los Angeles County, California
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported increases in rape and aggravated assault from 2024 into 2025, according to preliminary data from the MCCA survey.
Tampa, Florida
Tampa recorded increases in rape and robbery, two categories that declined nationwide during the same period.
Suffolk County, New York
The suburban county east of New York City reported increases in homicide and robbery.
Suffolk County Police respond to a crime scene. (Fox 5 NY)
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita saw year-over-year increases in homicide and rape, reversing the national trend in both categories.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh reported increases in rape and aggravated assault, while other violent crime categories declined.
Denver, Colorado
Denver recorded an increase in rape, according to the MCCA.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia saw a rise in rape, even as national violent crime totals continued to decline.
WATCH: Violence hits Chicago, NYC as blue-city crime policies spark outrage
Violent crime is trending downward in major U.S. cities as President Donald Trump continues to focus federal attention on combating violent crime.
The administration has launched crime operations in cities across America, including Washington, D.C., where he first deployed the National Guard to assist local police earlier this year.
