The rate of violent victimization in the U.S. increased from 19.0 to 24.5 victimizations per 1,000 persons in urban areas last year while remaining unchanged in suburban or rural areas, the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics reported in its annual crime victimization survey. Some 2.7 million people 12 or older experienced at least one violent crime last year. About 8.1 million households experienced one or more property victimizations, including burglary or trespassing, motor vehicle theft, or other household theft. The victimization survey is based on interviews with Americans on whether they had been victimized in the past year. It differs from the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, which is based on reports received by local police departments.
BJS said from 1993 to 2021, the rate of violent victimization declined from 79.8 to 16.5 victimizations per 1,000 people. Violent victimization includes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and simple assault. The overall violent victimization rate did not change between 2020 and 2021. The rate of violent victimization reported to police fell from 33.8 victimizations per 1,000 persons in 1993 to 7.5 per 1,000 in 2021. Although the rate of violent victimization reported to police in 2021 (7.5 per 1,000 persons) was similar to 2020, the percentage of violent victimizations reported to police in 2021 (46 percent) was higher than in 2020 (40 percent). A larger percentage of violent victimizations in 2021 (nine percent) than in 2020 (six percent) resulted in the victim receiving assistance from a victim service provider.