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 robbery?
A:	Since 1980, robbery arrest rates have decreased for nearly all age groups - the decrease was greater for juveniles than adults.

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

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In contrast to aggravated assault, robbery arrest rates did not increase substantially between 1980 and 1994.
Between 1994 and 2001, robbery arrest rates declined for all age groups, but the declines were greater for juveniles than for adults. More specifically, the rates dropped 52% for youth ages 15-17, compared with 28% for adults ages 18-24, 42% for those ages 25-29, and 27% for those ages 30-39.
Overall from 1980 to 2001, the robbery arrest rates for youth ages 15-17 decreased 40%. In comparison, the robbery arrest rates for adults showed smaller declines or increased. More specifically, the rates decreased 29% for adults ages 18-24, 36% for adults ages 25-29, and 13% for those ages 30-34. The rate increased 30% among those ages 35-39 and 35% for those ages 40-44.

Internet citation: OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. Online. Available: http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/ojstatbb/crime/qa05304.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.