Murders in the United States, 2002-11

Kyle Nagel, (@KyleNagelDDN), staff writer

There were 12,664 murders in the United States in 2011, the most recent year full data are available. That was a 15 percent decrease from the recent high of 14,990 in 2006, according to FBI statistics. Most of those murders involved the use of firearms, and the largest percentage of firearms used were handguns, a trend also seen locally, according to reporter Josh Sweigart.

Here's a look at murder statistics throughout the U.S. from 2002-11, including weapons used, circumstances and rate by state in 2011.

Murder in the
United States, 2011

Click on states to view statistics on murder and weapons used in murder.

Murders per 100,000 residents
2 or fewer
2-3
3-4
4-5
5-6
6-7
7 or more

Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reports

Note: Statistics from Florida and Alabama were not used becuase they did not conform to FBI reporting standards.

 

Murders by weapon, 2002-11

Handguns accounted for between 69 and 80 percent of all firearms-related murders from 2002-11. Hover over points on the chart to view more information about the weapons used in murders nationally.

 

Murders by circumstance, 2002-11

Hover over bars to view more information about the circumstances involved in murders nationally. Note that some circumstances are unidentified, so the total will not add exactly to the murder total.