Chicago saw 416 homicides in 2025, the lowest in six decades, with a 29% drop from 2024 and a 71% clearance rate, per Chicago Police Department data
Chicago Homicides Reach Lowest Level in Six Decades
CHICAGO – Homicides in Chicago last year fell to the lowest level in six decades, according to data released by the Chicago Police Department.
There were 416 homicides in Chicago last year, which represents a 29% decrease from 2024, the department said.
| Year | Murders |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 416 |
| 2024 | 587 |
| 2023 | 623 |
| 2022 | 719 |
| 2021 | 804 |
| 2020 | 776 |
| 2019 | 500 |
Mayor Brandon Johnson and other city leaders have praised the improving violent crime numbers over the past year. Violent crime in cities nationwide also dropped significantly last year.
Chicago police achieved a 71% clearance rate for homicides last year. This rate shows the proportion of criminal investigations that end up being solved or closed. This can happen through an arrest or by “exceptional means,” which occurs when issues beyond law enforcement’s control prevent an arrest or charge, according to the FBI.
The clearance rate of 71% last year was a significant improvement from 2024, when the clearance rate for homicides in Chicago was 56%. This figure shows a much higher rate of solved cases compared to historical data.
Other large cities had similar drops in violent crime to Chicago in 2025. Murders in New York City were down more than 20% last year, according to city data. Homicides in Washington, D.C., were down 32%, according to the U.S. Justice Department. San Francisco had its lowest homicide rate in 70 years in 2025.
CPD Supt. Larry Snelling praised his officers for their efforts to combat crime. “The heroic men and women of the Chicago Police Department worked relentlessly in 2025 to drive down crime, hold violent offenders accountable and bring justice to those traumatized by violence,” said Snelling in a statement. “This progress was achieved in collaboration with our law enforcement and community partners. Together, we will continue our efforts to enhance safety in every neighborhood across the city in 2026.”
