Why did U.S. homicides spike in 2020 and then decline rapidly in 2023 and 2024? In 2020, the average U.S. city experienced a surge in its homicide rate of almost 30%—the fastest spike ever recorded in the country.

The average U.S. city experienced a surge in its homicide rate of almost 30% in 2020. High homicide rates continued in 2021 and 2022, but declined rapidly in 2023 and 2024.

Rohit Acharya and Rhett Morris share how data can help explain these patterns of violence.

I moved to Bluesky to AVOID unhinged comments. Thanks a lot, Abby.