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Fact check: How do the murder rates in the top 5 US cities in 2025 compare to previous years?
1. Summary of the results
The murder rates in the top 5 US cities in 2025 have shown a decrease in homicide rates compared to previous years, with a 17% decrease in homicide rates in 30 US cities from the first half of 2024 to the first half of 2025, representing 327 fewer homicides, and a 14% decrease compared to the first half of 2019 [1]. However, the top 5 US cities with the highest murder rates are not consistently ranked across sources, with some sources listing New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis, Baltimore, and Detroit as the top 5 cities [2], while others list Jackson, MS, Birmingham, AL, St. Louis, MO, Memphis, TN, and Baltimore, MD as the top 5 cities [3]. Additionally, some sources report that homicide rates rose in 46 of 59 large urban counties from 2018 to 2023 [2], and that the national homicide rate decreased from a recent high in 2021 to 2023 [2].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
A key missing context in the original statement is the lack of specific data for the top 5 US cities in 2025, with most sources providing general trends and rankings for various cities [2]. Alternative viewpoints include the ranking of cities by violent crime rates, which may provide a more comprehensive understanding of crime trends in US cities [4]. Additionally, some sources highlight the importance of considering the overall decline in homicide rates in the context of increases in certain cities and years [1]. It is also worth noting that different sources may have different methodologies and criteria for ranking cities, which can impact the accuracy and comparability of the results [2] [3].
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original statement may be misleading in its assumption that the top 5 US cities can be consistently ranked by murder rates, as different sources provide conflicting rankings and data [2] [3]. Additionally, the statement may overlook the complexity of crime trends in US cities, which can be influenced by a range of factors, including changes in policing strategies, socioeconomic conditions, and demographics [1]. The Council on Criminal Justice and USAFacts may benefit from the framing of the original statement, as it highlights their research and data on crime trends in US cities [1]. However, other sources, such as The Hill and Jagranjosh, may provide alternative perspectives and data that challenge the original statement's assumptions and conclusions [3] [4].