How many people report being victims of crime?
In 2021, more than 4.5 million violent incidents involving victims ages 12 and older were self-reported in the US in the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). In the same year, 11.7 million property victimizations were also reported, according to the Criminal Victimization report from the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Despite this, US crime victimization rates have been on an overall downward trend since 1995. The DOJ tracks crime victimization data by location, which shows how trends vary for urban, suburban, and rural areas. One common narrative is that urban crime victimization rates exceed those in rural areas — and this is true, based on the data.
Violent crime victimizations
In 2021, 4.6 million violent victimizations were reported across all locations in the NCVS. Violent crime refers to incidents of rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, or simple assault.
This is an improvement relative to a few decades prior: in 1993, the rate of violent victimization was 79.8 per 1,000 people ages 12 and older; in 2021, the rate was 16.5. Further, during the five-year period from 2017–2021, the violent victimization rate decreased 20% from 20.6 to 16.5 incidents per 1,000 people.
Property crime victimizations
In 2021, there were 11.7 million property victimizations. Property crime includes burglary, trespassing, motor vehicle theft, and household theft. Between 2017–2021, property victimization decreased from 108.4 per 1,000 households to 90.3, a 17% decline.
What are the crime victimization rates in urban and rural areas?
In 2021, the rate of violent victimization in urban areas was 24.5 victimizations per 1,000 people. That’s more than double the rural area rate of 11.1.
The rate of property victimization in urban areas was 157.5 per 1,000 people. In rural areas, the rate was 57.7.
But not all crime is urban or rural. The DOJ report also tracks a third location: suburban areas. These are all census blocks not categorized as urban or rural. Those in suburban areas reported higher rates of victimization for both violent and property crime than rural areas, but lower rates than those in urban areas.
Crime victims by age
DOJ data shows that children ages 12–14 are most likely to report being the victims of violent crimes in both urban and rural areas.
