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Homicide Trends in the U.S.

Trends by race

Racial differences exist, with blacks disproportionately represented among homicide victims and offenders

In 2005, homicide victimization rates for blacks were 6 times higher than the rates for whites.

To view data, click on the chart.

Homicide Victimization by Race[D]

For more information about racial patterns in violent victimization
see Key Facts at a Glance.

In 2005, offending rates for blacks were more than 7 times higher than the rates for whites

To view data, click on the chart.

Homicide Offending by Race [D]

The race distribution of homicide victims and offenders differs by type of homicide

For the years 1976-2005 combined -

  • Black victims are over represented in homicides involving drugs. Compared with the overall involvement of blacks as victims, blacks are less often the victims of sex-related homicides, workplace killings, and homicide by poison.

  • Race patterns among offenders are similar to those among victims.
Homicide Type by Race, 1976-2005

Victims   Offenders
White Black Other   White Black Other
All homicides 50.9% 46.9% 2.1%   45.8% 52.2% 2.0%
Victim/offender relationship              
Intimate 56.6% 41.2% 2.2%   54.4% 43.4% 2.2%
Family 60.7% 36.9% 2.4%   59.2% 38.5% 2.3%
Infanticide 55.9% 41.6% 2.5%   55.4% 42.1% 2.5%
Eldercide 69.2% 29.1% 1.6%   54.5% 43.8% 1.6%
Circumstances              
Felony murder 54.7% 42.7% 2.6%   39.1% 59.3% 1.6%
Sex related 66.9% 30.5% 2.5%   54.7% 43.4% 1.9%
Drug related 37.4% 61.6% .9%   33.9% 65.0% 1.1%
Gang related 57.5% 39.0% 3.5%   54.3% 41.2% 4.4%
Argument 48.6% 49.3% 2.1%   46.8% 51.1% 2.2%
Workplace 84.6% 12.2% 3.2%   70.5% 26.7% 2.8%
Weapon              
Gun homicide 47.2% 50.9% 1.9%   41.9% 56.4% 1.7%
Arson 58.9% 38.1% 2.9%   55.7% 42.0% 2.3%
Poison 80.6% 16.9% 2.5%   79.8% 18.4% 1.8%
Multiple victims or offenders              
Multiple victims 63.4% 33.2% 3.3%   55.7% 40.8% 3.5%
Multiple offenders 54.8% 42.5% 2.7%   44.6% 53.0% 2.4%

Although slightly less true now than before, most murders are intraracial

From 1976 to 2005 --

  • 86% of white victims were killed by whites
  • 94% of black victims were killed by blacks

To view data, click on the chart.

Race of Offender and Victim[D]

Stranger homicides are more likely to cross racial lines than those that involve friends or acquaintances

For homicides committed by --

  • a friend or acquaintance of the victim, less than one-tenth (8%) were interracial
  • a stranger to the victim, one-quarter were interracial

To view data, click on the chart.

Race of Offender and Victim by relationship[D]

Source: FBI, Supplementary Homicide Reports, 1976-2005.
     See also Additional information about the data.

Note: The victims of the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks are not included in this analysis.

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