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Table 3

Crime in the United States

Offense and Population Percent Distribution by Region, 2017

Region Population Violent
crime
Murder and
nonnegligent
manslaughter
Rape
(revised
definition)1
Robbery Aggravated
assault
Property
crime
Burglary Larceny-
theft
Motor
vehicle
theft
United States Total2 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Northeast 17.3 13.4 11.3 12.4 15.3 12.9 11.4 9.1 12.6 7.3
Midwest 20.9 20.2 22.6 24.6 19.1 19.9 19.6 19.6 19.8 17.8
South 38.0 40.8 45.9 37.0 38.0 42.5 41.9 44.9 42.1 35.5
West 23.8 25.5 20.2 26.0 27.7 24.7 27.0 26.3 25.5 39.4
  • 1 The figures shown in the rape column were calculated using the revised Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) definition of rape. See data declaration for further explanation.
  • 2 Because of rounding, the percentages may not add to 100.0.
  • NOTE: Although arson data are included in the trend and clearance tables, sufficient data are not available to estimate totals for this offense. Therefore, no arson data are published in this table.

Data Declaration

Provides the methodology used in constructing this table and other pertinent information about this table.

Overview

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Crime in the United States, Offense and Population Percent Distribution by Region, 2017

  • The South, the most populous region of the nation, accounted for 40.8 percent of all violent crimes in 2017. Lesser volumes of violent crime were recorded in the West at 25.5 percent, the Midwest at 20.2 percent, and the Northeast at 13.4 percent.
  • In 2017, 45.9 percent of the nation’s estimated total number of murders occurred in the South. The Midwest had 22.6 percent of murders, followed by the West with 20.2 percent and the Northeast with 11.3 percent.
  • During 2017, 41.9 percent of the estimated number of property crimes were recorded in the South. The West was next highest with 27.0 percent, followed by the Midwest with 19.6 percent, and the Northeast with 11.4 percent.