Age-specific Arrest Rate Trends

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), Serving Children, Families, and Communities

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Q:	What is the trend for age-specific arrest rates for murder?
A:	Between 1980 and 2001, murder arrest rates have declined for all age groups.

Murder arrests per 100,000 population, 1980, 1994, 2001

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In contrast to aggravated assault arrest rates, murder rates increased only among juveniles and adults younger than age 25 between 1980 and 1994. During this period, arrest rates for youth ages 15-17 increased an average of 135% and 49% for adults ages 18-24. Murder rates declined 17% for adults ages 25-29, 35% for those ages 30-34, and 41% for those ages 35-39.
Between 1994 and 2001, murder arrest rates declined for all age groups, but the declines were greater for juveniles than for adults. More specifically, the rates dropped 69% for youth ages 15-17, compared with 38% for adults ages 18-24, 23% for those ages 25-29, and 30% for those ages 30-39.
Overall from 1980 to 2001, murder arrest rates declined for all age groups, with older adults showing the largest decline. The rates decreased 36% for adults ages 25-29, 54% for those ages 30-34, 60% for those ages 35-39, and 55% for those ages 40-44. Rates for juveniles and young adults experienced similar declines during this period: rates for juveniles ages 15-17 decreased 29%; adults ages 18-20 decreased 9% and adults ages 21-24 fell 17%.

Internet citation: OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. Online. Available: http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/ojstatbb/crime/qa05302.asp?qaDate=20040801. Released on August 01, 2004.

Adapted from data presented in the FBI's Age-Specific Arrest Rates and Race-Specific Arrest Rates for Selected Offenses, 1965-1992 (1993) and Age-Specific Arrest Rates and Race-Specific Arrest Rates for Selected Offenses, 1993-2001 (2003) reports.