The murder rate in the United States changes tremendously according to geography, even at the state level. Some states experience up to 14 times more homicides per capita than others, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over a 25-year period in an analysis by the Murder Accountability Project.
Generally, homicides are most common in southern states and least common in the Northeast. In 2024, murders were least common in Vermont which reported only 1.3 homicides per 100,000 population. That same year, homicides in Mississippi occurred at the rate of 18.6 killings per 100,000 population. But the variances between states even in the same region is significant.
CDC data was used in this study because many police departments in states like Florida and Mississippi do not participate in reporting crime information to the FBI's entirely voluntary Uniform Crime Report program. Since it is illegal to process human remains without a death certificate, the CDC is able to report much more complete information.
The homicide rate also varies enormously over time. You can use the year selector at the top of the map to watch how murder rates change over time. To access this interactive map to see rates in your state, click on the map image above or click here.
