Number of homicides in urban, suburban, and rural areas, by region, 1976-2005
Line chart with four lines by area: large cities, small cities, suburban counties, and rural areas.
For large cities, the number of homicides began at 9,860 in 1976 and increased to a high of 15,247 in 1991. Then the number decreased to 8,967 in 1999, before increasing to 9,574 in 2003. It then fell to 9,130 in 2004, before increasing to 9,513 in 2005.
For small cities, the number of homicides began at 2,297 in 1976 and dropped to 2,203 in 1977. The number then rose to 2,609 in 1980, before decreasing to 2,042 in 1984. After 1984, it rose to a high of 2,882 in 1994, before falling to 1,904 in 1999. Then the number rose to 2,158 in 2005.
For suburban counties, the number of homicides began at 3,954 in 1976 and fell to 3,836 in 1977. After 1977, the number increased to a high of 5,030 in 1993, before decreasing to a low of 3,030 in 2000. Then it increased to 3,744 in 2003, before decreasing to 3,666 in 2004. After 2004, the number increased to 3,722 in 2005.
For rural areas, the number of homicides began at 2,669 in 1976 and increased to 2,982 in 1980. After 1980, the number decreased to a low of 1,201 in 2003, before increasing to 1,370 in 2004. After 2004, it decreased to 1,299 in 2005.