By:  Melissa S. Kearney and Benjamin H. Harris

This Hamilton Project policy memo provides ten economic facts highlighting recent trends in crime and incarceration in the United States. Specifically, it explores the characteristics of criminal offenders and victims; the historically unprecedented level of incarceration in the United States; and evidence on both the fiscal and social implications of current policy on taxpayers and those imprisoned.

 

Chapter 1. The Landscape of Crime in the United States

Crime rates in the United States have been on a steady decline since the 1990s. Despite this improvement, particular demographic groups still exhibit high rates of criminal activity while others remain especially likely to be victims of crime.

Fact 1. Crime rates have steadily declined over the past twenty-five years.

Fact 2. Low-income individuals are more likely than higher-income individuals to be victims of crime.

Fact 3. The majority of criminal offenders are younger than age thirty.

Fact 4. Disadvantaged youths engage in riskier criminal behavior.

Read the full report here.