Violent Crime measures the effect of criminal behavior on a population's health.  It represents factors such as illegal drug use and various social ills.  Violent crime measures the annual number of murders, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults per 100,000 population.  Violent crime reflects an aspect of current U.S. lifestyle and is an indicator of health risk and death.

Table 25 displays the 2007 ranks, based on 2006 data (Crime in the United States: 2006. Washington, D.C., Federal Bureau of Investigation).  Crime rate is dependent upon many factors, not just population; thus when taking action to combat crime, each state must consider its specific circumstances.

The violent crime rate varies from a low of 116 offenses per 100,000 population in Maine, 128 offenses per 100,000 population in North Dakota, 137 offenses per 100,000 population in Vermont and 139 offenses per 100,000 population in New Hampshire to a high of 766 offenses per 100,000 population in South Carolina and 760 offenses per 100,000 population in Tennessee.  The national average is 474 offenses per 100,000 population, up 5 offenses per 100,000 population from the revised FBI crime rate for the prior year and down 135 offenses per 100,000 population from the 1990 Edition.  

The largest reported decrease in violent crime from the 2006 Edition occurred in Montana where reported offenses decreased by 28 offenses per 100,000 population, Maryland where reported offenses decreased by 25 offenses per 100,000 population and in Rhode Island where reported offenses decreased by 24 offenses per 100,000 population.  The largest reported increases occurred in Nevada, from 608 to 742 offenses per 100,000 population and in Louisiana, from 597 to 698 offenses per 100,000 population.

This is the eighth year that the national violent crime rate is lower than the 1990 Edition, and it has not changed appreciably in the last three years.  However, several states experienced significant increases since 1990, led by Delaware, Alaska and Tennessee with increases of 250 offenses, 233 offenses and 226 offenses per 100,000 population, respectively.  New York, California and Florida reduced violent crime the most since the 1990 Edition, decreasing from 1,007 to 435 offenses per 100,000 population, from 918 to 533 offenses per 100,000 population, and from 1,024 to 712 offenses per 100,000 population, respectively. 

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