Explore national- and state-level data for hundreds of health, environmental and socioeconomic measures, including background information about each measure. Use features on this page to find measures; view subpopulations, trends and rankings; and download and share content.
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California Value:
Number of murders, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults per 100,000 population
California Rank:
Number of murders, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults per 100,000 population
Number of murders, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults per 100,000 population
Number of murders, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults per 100,000 population
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Reporting Program
Number of murders, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults per 100,000 population
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Reporting Program
US Value: 399
Top State(s): Maine: 109
Bottom State(s): Alaska: 838
Definition: Number of murders, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults per 100,000 population
Data Source and Years: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Reporting Program, 2020
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Reporting Program, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2023.
Families, neighborhoods and communities are all affected when violent crime occurs. Violent crimes cause social and emotional harm as well as physical injury and can lead to disability, premature death, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. High rates of violent crime are associated with less physical activity. When personal safety is threatened, individuals are less likely to choose to walk or bike to their destination, regardless of neighborhood income levels.
Rates of gender-based violence have risen over the years. One in 4 women and 1 in 10 men report having been impacted by sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner. Gender-based violence also contributes to increased costs to the economy, including costs related to health care, criminal justice and lost productivity.
Violent crimes place a financial burden on hospitals and health care systems. A 2010 study estimated the overall economic burden of violent crime at approximately $65 billion in lost productivity and $6 billion in direct medical costs. For victims of violent crime, the toll is even higher, averaging $450 billion annually. Researchers estimate the following per-offense total costs: $9 million per homicide, $241,000 per rape/sexual assault, $107,000 per aggravated assault and $42,000 per robbery (in 2008 dollars).
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, populations that experienced higher rates of violent crime victimization (excluding homicide) in 2020 include:
Violence prevention has been a priority among health officials for decades, over which time a number of intervention programs have been developed. Strategies to address violent crime may require a thorough investigation of its root causes to determine the best route of intervention. Resources include:
Healthy People 2030 has several goals related to the prevention of violent crime, including:
Corso, Phaedra S., James A. Mercy, Thomas R. Simon, Eric A. Finkelstein, and Ted R. Miller. “Medical Costs and Productivity Losses Due to Interpersonal and Self-Directed Violence in the United States.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 32, no. 6 (June 1, 2007): 474-482.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2007.02.010.
Dahlberg, Linda L., and James A. Mercy. “The History of Violence as a Public Health Issue.” Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009. https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/24078.
Janke, Katharina, Carol Propper, and Michael A. Shields. “Assaults, Murders and Walkers: The Impact of Violent Crime on Physical Activity.” Journal of Health Economics 47 (May 2016): 34–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2016.01.006.
Langton, Lynn, and Jennifer Truman. “Socio-Emotional Impact of Violent Crime.” Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, September 2014. https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/sivc.pdf.
McCollister, Kathryn E., Michael T. French, and Hai Fang. “The Cost of Crime to Society: New Crime-Specific Estimates for Policy and Program Evaluation.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence 108, no. 1 (April 1, 2010): 98–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2009.12.002.
Morgan, Rachel E., and Alexandra Thompson. “Criminal Victimization, 2020 – Supplemental Statistical Tables.” Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, February 2022. https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/cv20sst.pdf.
White House Gender Policy Council. “National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality.” Washington, D.C.: White House, March 2021. https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/National-Strategy-on-Gender-Equity-and-Equality.pdf.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.