Chicago homicides in 2025 fell to lowest level in 60 years, CPD says
Chicago murder rate drops. What do the numbers really reveal? | ChicagoLIVE
Chicago is seeing a significant drop in homicides with murders down around 30 percent. Fox Chicago’s political reporter Paris Schutz breaks down the data and explains what the numbers reveal about violent crime trends across the city.
CHICAGO - Homicides in Chicago last year fell to the lowest level in six decades, according to data released by the Chicago Police Department.
By the numbers:
There were 416 homicides in Chicago last year, which also represents a 29% decrease from 2024, the department said.
Murders by year in Chicago
- 2025: 416
- 2024: 587
- 2023: 623
- 2022: 719
- 2021: 804
- 2020: 776
- 2019: 500
Mayor Brandon Johnson and other city leaders have touted the improving violent crime numbers over the past year, although it is worth noting that violent crime in cities nationwide also dropped significantly last year.
RIVER NORTH, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES - JULY 3: Chicago police work the crime scene where numerous people were wounded in a shooting at Artis Restaurant and Lounge at 311 W. Chicago Ave. in the River North neighborhood during an album release
Chicago police also achieved a 71% clearance rate for homicides last year, a metric that reports the proportion of criminal investigations that end up being solved or closed. That happens by an arrest or by "exceptional means," which happens when issues beyond law enforcement’s control prevent them from making an arrest or charging an offender, according to the FBI.
CPD’s clearance rate of 71% last year was a significant improvement from 2024, when the clearance rate for homicides in Chicago was 56%. The figure represents a much higher rate of solved cases compared to historical data.
Big picture view:
Other large cities had comparable 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 boasted its lowest homicide rate in 70 years in 2025.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 26: Chicago police officers cite street musician Muhammad after he refused to stop busking at a downtown street corner on August 26, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to deploy Nat
What they're saying:
Still, CPD Supt. Larry Snelling commended his officers for their work 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."