The United States had a spike in violent crime during the tumultuous early months of the COVID-19 epidemic, coinciding with the fallout from the death of George Floyd. As far as national statistics are concerned, 2020 saw the highest rate of murder rise since 1960. Shootings and car thefts were also on the rise.

A number of analysts have expressed concern that the United States is returning to the era of high crime that occurred between the 1960s and the 1990s as a result of the recent upsurge in violent crime.

On the other hand, statistics over the last 12 months paint a far more positive image. The largest annual drop in murder rates ever recorded occurred in urban areas of the United States, when the murder rate dropped by over 12%. As compared to the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, the murder rate is lower currently, and the surge that began in 2020 appears to have been more of a blip. According to the most up-to-date statistics, the violent crime rate in 2023 was almost at its lowest point in almost half a century.