U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Statistics National Crime Victimization Survey Criminal Victimization, 2004 September 2005, NCJ 210674 -------------------------------------------------------------- This file is text only without graphics and many of the tables. A Zip archive of the tables in this report in spreadsheet format (.wk1) and the full report including tables and graphics in .pdf format are available from: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/cv04.htm This report is one in a series. More recent editions may be available. To view a list of all in the series go to http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pubalp2.htm#cv -------------------------------------------------------------- By Shannan M. Catalano, Ph.D. BJS Statistician ---------------------------------------------- Highlights The National Crime Victimization Survey reveals that violent and property crime rates in 2003 did not change from the previous year * Though the downward trend in crime rates has stabilized, violent and property crime rates in 2004 remain at the lowest levels recorded since the survey's inception in 1973. * Rates for all major categories of nonlethal crime remained stable from 2003 to 2004. * The rate of violent crime dropped 9% from the period 2001-02 to the period 2003-04. * From 1993 to 2004 the rate for crimes of violence was down 57%, from 50 to 21 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 12 or older. * Reporting of crime to the police increased significantly from 1993 to 2004. Reporting rose from 42% to 50% of violent crimes and from 34% to 39% of property crimes. * During 2004, 22% of all violent crime incidents were committed by an armed offender; 6%, by an offender with a firearm. * During 2004 males were about as vulnerable to violence by strangers (50% of the violence against males) as by nonstrangers (48%), while females were most often victimized by nonstrangers (64%). * Between 2001-02 and 2003-04 violent crime decreased 17% in the West, from 31 to 26 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 12 or older. * Violent victimizations in urban areas fell 14% from 2001-02 to 2003-04. * Based on preliminary 2004 data from the FBI, the number of persons murdered in the United States decreased 3.6% between 2003 and 2004. ---------------------------------------------- In 2004 U.S. residents age 12 or older experienced an estimated 24 million violent and property victimizations, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey(NCVS). (See Survey methodology, page 11.) These criminal victimizations included an estimated 18.6 million property crimes (burglary, motor vehicle theft, and theft), 5.2 million violent crimes (rape, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault), and 224,000 personal thefts (pocket picking and purse snatching). Victimization rates for every major type of crime measured were unchanged from their 2003 levels. For most crimes aggregated rates for the period 2003-04 were unchanged from those for 2001-02. However, for overall crimes of violence aggregate rates for the period 2003-04 declined 9% from 2001-02. Individual categories with observed marginal declines included attempted and threatened violence, attempted rape, completed robbery and simple assault. During this same period, a decline in rates of minor theft was also observed. Taken together, the 1-year (2003-04) and 2-year (2001-02 to 2003-04) change estimates indicate that crime rates remain stabilized at the lowest levels experienced since 1973. Between 1993 and 2004 the violent crime rate decreased 57% from 50 to 21 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 12 or older. Property crime declined 50% from 319 to 161 per 1,000 households. In 2004, according to victims, 50% of violent crimes and 39% of property crimes were reported to the police. The proportions of crime reported to the police has increased since 1993, when victims indicated that 43% of the violent crimes and 34% of the property crimes had been reported. Criminal victimization, 2003-04 The NCVS collects data on nonfatal crimes against persons age 12 or older, reported and not reported to the police, from a nationally representative sample of U.S. households. Information on homicide is obtained from the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program of the FBI. Crimes measured by the NCVS Violent crimes refer to rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault taken as a whole. Property crimes refer to household burglary, motor vehicle theft, and theft considered together. The violent and property crime rates remained stable, 2003-04, as did rates for individual types of crime. Murder/nonnegligent manslaughter Based on preliminary 2004 data from the FBI, the number of persons murdered in the United States decreased 3.6% between 2003 and 2004. In 2003, 16,500 persons were murdered; the estimate for 2004 is about 15,910 victims of murder. Based on these preliminary data, the homicide rate for 2004, is about 5.4 per 100,000. Preliminary data suggest that decreases in the number of murders occurred in the Northeast (-3.1%), Midwest(-4.8%), and South(-5.5%). An increase in the number of murders was measured in the West(+0.4%). ------------------------------------------------ Murder and victim characteristics, 2003 In 2003, the year for which the most recent comprehensive data are available, the FBI reported a total of 16,500 murders or nonnegligent manslaughters. The total represents a 1.7% increase from the 16,230 murders recorded in 2002. The FBI defines murder in its annual Crime in the United States as the willful (nonnegligent) killing of one human being by another. Not included are deaths caused by negligence, suicide, or accident; justifiable homicides; and attempts to murder or assaults. The FBI's UCR program gathers statistics on murder from over 17,000 city, county, and State law enforcement agencies. Though the rate and level of homicide change year to year, the relationship between victim characteristics and homicide tends to remain the same. For example, as in previous years, in 2003 -- * Most murder victims were male (78%). * When the race of the murder victim was known, about half were white (49%), and about half were black (49%). About 3% of murder victims were of another race. * When information on the victim/offender relationship was available, 78% of the offenders were known to the victim, while 22% were a stranger to the victim. * Firearms were used in the majority of murders (71%). * Offenders were most often male (90%), and most often adults (92%). * Homicide is generally intraracial. * Arguments were the most often cited circumstance leading to murder (29%). * Homicides occurred in connection with another felony (such as rape, robbery, or arson) in 16% of incidents. ------------------------------------------------- Criminal victimization, 2001-02 and 2003-04 Comparing 2-year average annual rates shows that for several categories of crime the average annual rates were significantly lower in 2003-04 than in 2001-02. ------------------------------------------- Estimating change in crime victimization rates Since 1995, the NCVS has undergone sample reductions because of the escalating costs of data collection. At the same time, the rate of violence has continued to decline. The combination of the two –- fewer survey respondents and less crime -- has resulted in a diminished ability to detect statistically significant year-to-year changes in rates. Comparing 2-year average rates gives the reader a picture of the continuing decline in rates seen over the last few years. For those who rely upon the annual detailed table of victimization counts and per capita rates, those data are located on the BJS website at . ----------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- Victimization rates as compared to victimization counts The analyses in this report incorporate rates per 1,000 persons age 12 or older or per 1,000 households. Using rates rather than counts takes into account the size of the population at risk for victimization. This allows for accurate comparisons of groups of differing sizes as well as changes in populations over time. Ignoring these differences in populations (examining counts alone) can lead to erroneous conclusions about changes in vulnerability. --------------------------------------------- The average annual overall violent victimization rate declined 9% from 24 to 22 victimizations per 1,000 persons per year, from 2001-02 to 2003-04. During the same time rates of simple assault declined marginally. Overall property rates remained the same during the 2001-02 to 2003-04 period; however, an 11% decline in minor theft under $50 was observed over comparable years. Characteristics of the crime victim, from 2001-02 to 2003-04 Violent crime Violent crime rates for females dropped 15% from 2001-02 to 2003-04: from 22 to 19 victimizations per 1,000 females. Apparent differences in the rates for males were not statistically significant. Rates of violence against persons who were widowed declined somewhat from 2001-02 to 2003-04: from 7 to 4 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 12 or older. For persons age 65 years or older, violent crime rates fell significantly from 3 to 2 victimizations per 1,000 persons. There was no significant change for persons of other age categories. Significant declines in the rates of violent victimization were observed for persons in households earning between $15,000 and $24,999 and $35,000 and $49,999. A slight decline in violence was indicated for those in households earning between $25,000 and $34,999. Between 2001-02 and 2003-04, violent crime decreased 17% in the West, from 31 to 26 victimizations per 1,000 individuals. Rates of violent victimization did not change significantly in the Northeast, Midwest, and South. Significant declines in the rate of violent victimizations were noted for persons residing in urban areas. Property crime When considered by household income levels, no significant change between 2001-02 and 2003-04 was found in the vulnerability to property crime. A marginal decline of 6% in property crimes was measured in the West, from 2001-02 to 2003-04. Rates of property crime increased somewhat in rural areas, from 125 to 136 victimizations per 1,000 households. From 2001-02 to 2003-04, average annual property crime rates remained statistically similar for resident renters and homeowners. ----------------------------------------------- Victimization trends, 1993-2004 The rate of every major violent and property crime measured in the NCVS -- rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault, burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft -- fell significantly between 1993-2004. Violent crime The overall violent crime rate fell 57% from 50 to 21 violent victimizations per 1,000 persons age 12 or older between 1993 and 2004. Other significant declines were measured in the rates of rape/ sexual assault (down 64%), robbery (down 65%), aggravated assault (down 64%), and simple assault (down 52%). Property crime From 1993 through 2004 the rate of overall property crime declined as did the rate for each major type of property crime considered. The household burglary rate fell 49%; the motor vehicle theft rate fell 54%; and the theft rate fell 49%. ------------------------------------------ Characteristics of victims, 1993-2004 While violence decreased for both males and females between 1993 and 2004, the rate for males in each year was higher than that for females. The rate of violence for males declined 58%, from 60 to 25 violent victimizations per 1,000. The rate of violence against females declined 56%, from 41 to 18 victimizations per 1,000 individuals. Changes in survey methodology prevent long- term comparisons for race and ethnicity. See Survey methodology on page 11 for further details. Violent crime rates declined 31% for victims residing in households earning $7,500 to $14,999, from 56 to 39 victimizations per 1,000 individuals. Violent crime rates for individuals in all other income categories declined 50% or more. Property crime rates fell for every demographic group considered, 1993-2004. Property crime rates for households that owned their homes showed a decline of 50%, and rates for households of renters declined 48% over the period. Between 1993 and 2004 households with an annual income of less than $7,500 experienced smaller declines in property crime rates than did households with annual incomes of $25,000 or more. Households with an annual income greater than $50,000 experienced larger drops in property crime rates than did households with lower annual incomes. The rate of urban property crime declined 47%, 1993-2004. Property crime in rural areas decreased 46% during this period. Households in the suburbs experienced the greatest decline in property crime rates (53%) from 1993 to 2004. Households in all regions of the country experienced decreases in property crime rates of at least 46%, 1993-2004. Characteristics of violent crime victims, 2004 Persons who have been historically the most vulnerable to violent victimization -- males and youths -- continued to be victimized at higher rates than others in 2004. Gender of victim Males were victims of overall violent crime, robbery, total assault, simple assault, and aggravated assault at rates higher than those of females. Females were more likely than males to be victims of rape/sexual assault. Race of victim Beginning in 2003 survey respondents were able to self-identify with more than one race. The racial categories presented in this report consist of the following: white only, black only, other race only (an American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, or Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander identifying a single race), and two or more races (all persons indicating two or more races). Persons of two or more races were victims of overall violence at significantly higher rates than those for whites, blacks, and persons of other races. Blacks were victims of overall violence, robbery, and aggravated assault at rates higher than those for whites in 2004. Blacks and whites were equally likely to experience rape/sexual assault, simple assault, and theft in 2004. Blacks were also more likely than persons of other races to be victims of overall violence and simple assault. Hispanic origin of victim Non-Hispanics were victims of overall violence and simple assault at rates higher than those of Hispanics in 2004. Hispanics and non- Hispanics were equally likely to experience rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and theft. Age of victim During 2004, as in previous years, there was a general pattern of decreasing crime rates for persons of older age categories. Persons age 12-19 experienced overall violence at rates higher than rates for persons age 25 or older. Persons age 16-19 and 20-24 experienced rape/ sexual assault, robbery, aggravated and simple assault at similar rates. Persons age 20-24 were less likely than persons age 16-19 to be victims of personal theft. Household income During 2004 there was a general pattern of decreasing victimization rates for persons residing in households with higher incomes. Persons in households with an annual income under $7,500 were more likely to be victims of robbery and assault than members of households with incomes greater than $25,000. Individuals in households earning less than $15,000 annually were victims of assault at a significantly higher rate than those of persons in households at higher income levels. Members in households earning $15,000 to $24,999 and $25,000 to $34,999 experienced rape/sexual assault at similar rates. Persons residing in households earning more than $75,000 were victims of violent crime at significantly lower rates than those of persons in households earning less. Marital status During 2004 persons who were never married or divorced/separated experienced statistically similar rates of rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Persons who were never married experienced overall violent victimization at rates higher than those for married, widowed, or divorced/ separated persons. Region In 2004 residents in the Northeast experienced the lowest rates of overall violent victimization. Rates of overall violent victimization were the same in the Midwest and West. Persons residing in the Northeast and Midwest were equally likely to experience robbery while residents in Northeast experienced higher rates of robbery than persons living in the South. Residence Urban residents were victimized at rates higher than those for suburban and rural residents during 2004. Except for rape/sexual assault, suburban and rural residents were victims of violence at statistically similar rates during 2004. Characteristics of victims of property crime, 2004 Annual household income No clear pattern in overall property crime rates was evident in 2004. The relationship between income and crime rates did vary for specific types of property crime. Households with an annual income below $7,500 were burglarized at rates higher than those of households with larger incomes. Households with an annual income below $7,500 and households with an annual income of greater than $75,000 experienced motor vehicle theft at statistically similar rates. No significant differences in the rates of household theft were observed. Region, locality, and home ownership Rates of overall property crime were highest for households in the West and lowest for households in the Northeast in 2004. For households located in the South and Midwest, the rates of overall property crime were statistically similar. Northeastern households were less likely to be burglarized than households in other regions. The rate of burglary was lower in the West than in the Midwest and South. No difference in burglary rates was observed between the Midwest and the South. Western households were most likely and Northeastern households were the least likely to experience motor vehicle theft in 2004. Rates of household theft were highest in the West and lowest in the Northeast. Rates of property crime were highest for households located in urban areas, 2004. Rates of burglary were higher for rural households than suburban households but lower than rates of burglary in urban areas. In 2004 households that rented were more likely than households that owned their homes to experience all types of property crime. Characteristics of the crime incident Victim-offender relationship in violent crimes Females were most often victimized by someone they knew while males were equally likely to be victimized by a stranger or nonstranger during 2004. Of those offenders victimizing females, 21% were described as intimates and 34% as strangers. By contrast, of those offenders victimizing males, 4% were described as intimates and 50% as strangers. For women, rape was most likely to be committed by a friend or acquaintance. Robbery was the crime most likely to be committed by a stranger for both males and females. A third of aggravated assaults were committed by a friend or acquaintance for both males and females. Presence of weapons in violent crimes During 2004 armed offenders committed 22% of all violent crime incidents. The presence of a weapon during a violent crime was related to the type of crime. For example, rape and sexual assault incidents (8%) were less likely than robberies (46%) to be committed by an armed offender. The type of weapon also varied by the type of violence. Nineteen percent of robbery incidents occurred with a firearm present, compared to 5% of assault incidents. The rate of firearm violence declined significantly between 1993 and 2004 from 5.9 to 1.4 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 12 or older. Reporting to the police During 2004, 50% of all violent victimizations and 39% of all property crimes were reported to the police. The percentage of violent crime reported differed among the specific types of crime. Robbery (61%) and aggravated assault (64%) were most frequently reported to police. Thirty-six percent of victims who experienced rape/sexual assault and 45% of the victims experiencing simple assault indicated that their victimization had been reported to the police. Motor vehicle theft continued to be the property crime most frequently reported to the police (85%). Fifty-three percent of burglaries and 32% of household thefts were reported to the police in 2004. Reporting and victim characteristics In 2004 females were more likely than males to report violent victimizations to the police. Both males and females were equally likely to report property victimizations to the police. Rates of reporting for violent victimizations did not differ for males across racial categories. Female victims who were black or of other races were more likely to report violent victimization to the police than were white females. Non-Hispanic and Hispanic males were equally likely to report victimizations to the police. Among females, Hispanics were more likely than non-Hispanics to report a violent crime. In contrast, non-Hispanic females were more likely than Hispanic females to report a property crime. Reporting crime to the police, 1993-2004 Overall reporting of violent and property crime increased significantly from 1993 to 2004. Reporting for violent crime remained the same between 2003 and 2004. Reporting of burglary to police (from 50% in 1993 to 53% in 2004) remained statistically similar from 1993 to 2004. Increases in the reporting of theft from 1993 to 2004, 26% to 32%, were statistically significant. Survey methodology This Bulletin presents data on nonlethal violence and property crimes from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), and data on homicide from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. In 2004, 84,360 households and 149,000 individuals age 12 or older were interviewed. For the 2004 NCVS data presented here, the response rate was 91.3% of eligible households and 85.5% of eligible individuals. In 1997 the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) introduced new guidelines for the collection and reporting of race and ethnicity data in government surveys. These methodological changes were implemented for all demographic surveys as of January 1, 2003. Individuals are now allowed to choose more than one racial category. In prior years they were asked to select a single primary race. Racial categories presented in this report now consist of the following: white only, black only, other race only (American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, or Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander if only one of these races is given), and two or more races (all persons of any race indicating two or more races). Individuals are now asked whether they are of Hispanic ethnicity before being asked about their race, and are now asked directly if they are Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino. Standard error computations Comparisons of percentages and rates made in this report were tested to determine if observed differences were statistically significant. Differences described as higher, lower, or different passed a hypothesis test at the 0.05 level of statistical significance (95% confidence level). The tested difference was greater than twice the standard error of that difference. For comparisons that were statistically significant at the 0.10 level (90% confidence level), "somewhat," "slightly," "marginally," or "there is some indication that" is used to denote the nature of the difference. Caution is required when comparing estimates not explicitly discussed in this Bulletin. See for additional information on methodology, standard error calculations, and definitions. -------------------------------------- The Bureau of Justice Statistics is the statistical agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. Lawrence A. Greenfeld is the director. Shannan M. Catalano, Ph.D., BJS Statistician, wrote this report under the supervision of Michael Rand. Cathy T. Maston provided statistical review. Marianne Zawitz produced the Highlight figures. Tina Dorsey and Tom Hester produced and edited the report. September 2005, NCJ 210674 --------------------------------------- The end of file 09/08/05 prepared by Ida Hines