California Homicide Rate Falls to Record Low in 2025 as Violent Crime and Property Crime Continue Broad Decline

SACRAMENTO, CA — California’s homicide rate dropped to its lowest level on record in 2025, the state Department of Justice said Wednesday, extending a yearslong decline in violent crime. The total number of homicides fell to 1,374 from 1,666 in 2024, while the overall violent crime rate and property crime rate also moved lower.

Statewide Crime Trends

The DOJ said the state’s homicide rate fell 18.6% to 3.5 per 100,000 people, down from 4.3 the year before. Since 2020, the homicide rate has dropped 36.4%, and the overall violent crime rate declined 10.2% in 2025 to 431.1 per 100,000.

Property crime also decreased 14.3%, according to the report, while the total arrest rate rose 3.6%. The data is based on 2025 statistics submitted by law enforcement agencies and other criminal justice entities across California.

Officials Citing Public Safety Gains

Attorney General Rob Bonta said the figures reflect investments in community violence intervention and partnerships among state, local and federal agencies. He said the state has expanded efforts targeting organized retail theft, human trafficking, fentanyl and violent offenders.

Gov. Gavin Newsom also pointed to the numbers as evidence that sustained investments in communities and law enforcement are improving public safety for families across California.

Sacramento Sees Major Declines

Sacramento County and the capital city also reported steep drops. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office investigated 18 homicides in 2025, the fewest since the 1980s, while Sacramento police investigated 36 homicides, down 20% from 45 in 2024.

City police said major crime categories fell across the board, with the sharpest drops in car thefts and burglaries, along with declines in aggravated assaults, robberies, rape and homicides.

Hate Crime Data And Guidance

The report also showed reported hate crimes fell 3.4% statewide to 1,955, though racial or ethnic bias incidents rose 6.2% and anti-Hispanic or Latino bias cases increased 30.3%. Reported gender-bias hate crimes climbed 23.8%, and anti-citizenship status bias cases rose from 16 to 40.

The DOJ urged people who suspect a hate crime to call 911 if in immediate danger, document exact words and other details, preserve evidence if safe, collect witness information and contact local community groups that address hate incidents.

TNSO covers California, Nevada, and Arizona as the story unfolds.