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Contents of Homicide trends in the U.S.

Homicide trends in the U.S.
Trends by race

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

In 2004, homicide victimization rates for blacks were 6 times higher than the rates for whites.

To view data, click on the chart.

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

In 2004, offending rates for blacks were 7 times higher than the rates for whites

To view data, click on the chart.

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

For the years 1976-2004 combined -

Black victims are greatly 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, 1976-2004**
		Victims				Offenders
		White	Black	Other		White	Black	Other
	All homicides	51.0%	46.9%	2.1%		45.9%	52.1%	2.0%
Victim/offender relationship
	Intimate	56.5%	41.3%	2.2%		54.3%	43.6%	2.2%
	Family	60.6%	37.1%	2.4%		59.1%	38.6%	2.3%
	Infanticide	55.8%	41.6%	2.5%		55.3%	42.2%	2.5%
	Eldercide	69.1%	29.3%	1.6%		54.4%	44.0%	1.6%
Circumstances
	Felony murder	54.8%	42.7%	2.5%		39.1%	59.3%	1.6%
	Sex related	67.0%	30.6%	2.4%		54.9%	43.3%	1.9%
	Drug related	37.2%	61.9%	.9%		33.8%	65.1%	1.1%
	Gang related	57.6%	39.0%	3.5%		54.4%	41.3%	4.3%
	Argument	48.5%	49.4%	2.1%		46.7%	51.1%	2.1%
	Workplace	84.9%	12.0%	3.1%		70.5%	26.4%	3.1%
Weapon
	Gun homicide	47.3%	50.8%	1.9%		42.0%	56.2%	1.7%
	Arson	59.2%	37.9%	2.9%		55.7%	42.0%	2.3%
	Poison	80.2%	17.2%	2.5%		79.6%	18.6%	1.8%
Multiple victims or offenders
	Multiple victims	63.6%	33.1%	3.4%		56.1%	40.5%	3.4%
	Multiple offenders	55.0%	42.3%	2.7%		44.8%	52.8%	2.4%

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

From 1976 to 2004 --

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

To view data, click on the chart.

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.

Source: FBI, Supplementary Homicide Reports, 1976-2004.
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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